Demir Barlas writes that Miller & Chevalier, a Washington, D.C. law firm, has installed Interface Software's Social Networking system to connect their ~120 lawyers and professionals. Not likely bedfellows but the utilization of Interface's solution has, according to Sturgis Sobin, chairman of the international department of Miller & Chevalier, created new business: "In the past year, we've had a couple of instances where the software identified an existing relationship we'd never have been aware of otherwise," says Sobin. "One of those engagements generated more than a million dollars in new business." A most practical application of Social Networking Services.
1. The social networking phenomenon will not last, for one very specific reason. It, like other applications of set theory, will reveal that those whom we grant authority don't deserve it. It will reveal that the majority of the power in our society is granted NOT to those who earn and deserve it, but to those who can abuse and manipulate the efforts of others. Once it becomes clear that these truths are to be revealed (i.e. once they are revealed) people in power will work to obfuscate the data or shut down the networks (practically speaking).
Politics is about influence, not fact. If we have technological tools to cut through the lies and see the facts, those with power will lose credibility. They will simply not allow that to happen, as they have the power because of their will and aggressivness. They will exert it against the networks.
The example cites finding new busness through contacts not otherwise known. That's an early success story. Later, we shall see what major clients do when they learn you are farming their contacts directly - they will obfusctae the trail to regain their importance as the middleman. If it is not what you know but who you know, then who you know will become a guarded secret (and the networks will die).
Posted at 8:04PM on Dec 18th 2005 by Ms. Provider