The Exponential Value of Social Networks

Howard Rheingold in "Smart Mobs" discusses the laws by Sarnoff, Moore, Metcalfe, and Reed, that concern technology and social networks. I would never have thought to combine any of these laws to form my own postulate, simply because I do not generally associate social networks with the Internet. I think of the Internet as a place where commerce thrives and a means by which individuals communicate not only on a personal basis, but a business one too.

Adding e-mail addresses to the CC: or BCC: line of an e-mail doesn't initially strike me as social networking because the communication is essentially one way. At least until a reply is made. Even though, however, individuals rarely "Reply to all." Rheingold reckons that the laws concerning the growth of microcomputer abilities can also apply to people. The notion that two computers separate from each other are much less efficient than if they were linked to each other, coincides with Americans' belief that "two heads are better than one." For this reason, it is not hard to understand why an entire website of socially entwined people could offer endless possibilities in the way of organization and efficiency. With everyone linked together, information can be disseminated much quicker, and if a filter is applied, with great accuracy too. Likewise, interaction between individuals, whether for social or commercial purposes, is made much easier.

Rob Cross, a professor of Commerce at the University of Virginia makes note that oftentimes people collaborate with many others, using technology of all shorts, in an effort to get their work done. In theory, this notion would further Rheingold's claims that using technology to create social networks is the key to opening an infinite number of doors leading toward success. I remain skeptical of this theory, though. In the case of e-bay, this concept works marvelously. However, in real-world office environments I feel that, while some collaboration is good, preferably through means of face-to-face speech, using advanced technology that makes collaboration faster and easier can actually be more a burden than a help. If it's faster and easier to communicate, then people will likely do it more frequently, and the above theory ends up proving to be a detriment to the office environment. The effects are exaggerated if a key collaborator goes missing from the framework of social collaboration for that environment. Then individuals so graciously supported before are left to fend, and more importantly think, for themselves.

It's hard to say what is right and what is wrong in the massive realm of online social networking. My belief is that such a phenomenon is good for speedy communication, but I remain skeptical as I have yet to see such means of instant communication effectively regulated, so as not to induce inefficiency, the very thing that all of this is striving to prevent.

"Smart Mobs" by Howard Rheingold, pp. 56-61: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780738208619&itm=1

"First Hand: Connecting to Collaborate: An Interview With Rob Cross," featuring Rob Cross: http://www.csc.com/cscworld/012006/dep/fh001.shtml