2nd week

Rheingold explained the connection between "the technical properties of computer networks and the communication properties of social networks."(p. 58)
He explained the several laws which can be used to estimate the value of network.
They basically estimate the value by how many ways its nodes are connected.
One thing we have to consider is that these values are just potential.
For example, Metcalfe's law defines the value of network as the square of the number of its nodes because nodes are connected each other.
(http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ny3k-kbys/contents/sneaky_exponential.html
You can find the detailed explanation about each law in English and Japanese in here.)
The connections between each node really exist, but they are not necessarily utilized well.
Imagine the network of telephones.
It is true that they are connected each other, but it is impossible that all of them fully utilize these connections because it means everyone calls every other people who have phone.
Same thing is true for Reed's law.
It may be true that the network's potential value will exponentially increase if its nodes can form groups.
However, creating and maintaining groups and contacting with other groups require some costs.
Therefore, the potential value of network will not necessarily be utilized.
The question is how technology enable us to utilize this huge potential value.


One interesting thing is that these two books have the different views of the value of social networks.
Cross and Parker says that "we are not simply suggesting that more connectivity is always better." (p. 8)
They argue that the balance of connection in network is important.
However, the several laws Reighngold explained in his book estimate the value of network only by the number of connection.
For him, more connectivity is better.
We should consider the question that "Which is better, the number connections or the balance of connections?"



Bibliography

Rheingold, Howard Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution. Cambridge, MA, Basic Books, 2003.

Cross, Robert L. The hidden power of social networks : understanding how work really gets done in organizations. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press, 2004.