Social Capital II

I'd like to add some additional thoughts to my last blog post. I think social networks (friendster, linkedin,orkut) face some challenges ahead. On the one hand they rely on simplicity to render the networking viral. After this initial tier things can't be as simplistic. For example "friend", "acquaintance" or "good friend" ontologies don't fully encapsulate relationships nor their full context.

Obstacle two is giving incentive for hollow social capital. The new formed relationship has got to seem as if it can give a relatively similar amount of social capital as one formed without meditation, incentive or pressure. I mean lets face it once a relationship is established arbitrarily there is a certain assurance and trust that follows as opposed to one formed with an ulterior motive.

These are two of many obstacles but there is an advantage to social capital via social network vs. arbitrary connection. I think in terms of upgrading a relationship from good to better or acquaintance to friend there is a time limit in arbitrary connected relationships for someone to initiate the move before awkwardness becomes a barrier to upgrade. For example if you meet someone and then the next ten times you see them you just wave and dont talk the awkwardness of actually talking after such a gap in time may inhibit growth. In social networks such as Friendster, time gaps such as the latter example don't have as much power in inhibiting growth.

Comments

[Judy Jones]

Eric,
I have been reading about the midwest and the western expansion in the days of houseraising, barn raising, quilting bees, and other community events which created an interdependent society and a social community where the members were real to each other(not a how are you and a nod), but a needed commodity. I believe that that is the real essence of social capital...the community that exists because of mutual need and mutual sharing....when the neighbors here and I were fighting for the stopage of the access road here on Berta Canyon there was a spirit and good feeling that we weren't alone on this. We banded together, spoke out at meetings and accomplished our goal..the Transportation Board was impressed by the community feeling and the strong support shown for not dividing a community such as Prunedale. It was awesome to be there and be a part of it. Judy Jones

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