Article Describing How The Internet Works

As teenagers there were times when our group of friends would get together and have a party. Whether it was at someone’s house or in a open field we yearned to have parties where we could socialize freely and hoped we could avoid adult supervision. Few would miss the opportunity to gather together and strut their stuff. The group, or swarm, would spread the word to their friends that a party has been planned and where and when. Inevitably the word of the gathering spread beyond the immediate group to other groups and what started out as a gathering of one swarm became a collision of numerous swarms.

The dynamics of the gathering then became filled with tension as one swarm collided with the other. Conflicts erupted beginning with attitudes, exchanges of verbal communications which eventually led to physical exchanges and the collective gathering became chaotic. The values, identities and social norms of one swarm collided with one or more other swarms. Can you relate?

As we observe the adult social networking space we can see a collision of swarms both within one network and with combined networks. The difference between the above example and today is that we gather together in the virtual space using forums and networking as the medium to gather as swarms. However, in the virtual space word spreads fast and to a much larger audience about different “gatherings” and these gatherings aren’t at any one particular time they are all the time. The different “swarms” have different perspectives as to what is or isn’t appropriate to the gathering process and the exchange of communications as well as the related methods. n

Swarms argue over which network is better than the other, what methods are better and what the rules should be vs. what they are. The exchange of communications sometimes can become inflammatory, accusatory and frankly reflect an individuals emotional and intellectual maturity level. Remember, nothing is hidden in the virtual world and how we communicate and the attitudes reflected become our brand.

Individuals migrate to swarms based on, searches. referrals to and what the swarms communications reflect as the point of identification or identity with ones own brand. However, in today’s virtual network environment the collision of swarms are what appears to be creating confusing communications, instructions and positions which only adds to the chaos. The challenge for the operators and the individual is to be able to sort through the chaos for the purposes of creating our individual and collective value using today’s networking mediums.

Each network operator and each individual has their own vision and purpose for creating and using the networking medium. Some of the affinities of purpose include: improved economic positions, productivity enhancements, social enrichment and value creation. Each network operator and individual has their own vision and “rights of passage” as to how to accomplish the vision.

The collision of swarms and how they will shake out will be greatly dependent upon the influence of two primary factors: 1) Technology and 2) leadership and neither can be separated if the outcome is to be optimal regardless of the size of the swarm or the identity of the swarm. Technology will continue to advance rapidly thus creating possible means to enable users to better segment their own vision, purpose and participation with clarity. Leadership gains will advance only as we individually advance in our own path to defining our vision and values more succinctly and having our behavior match our individual vision and values with those who lead their networks with a common vision and values as ours.

In order to prepare for the value creation of the future I believe we, as individuals, need to focus and think about the following priorities:

1) What does your brand represent? It is up to you to decide this or chage it.

2) What is your vision & value statements? Does your brand match said
statements?

3) Does your participation match 1&2?

4) What are the best “spaces” to participate which match your brand, vision and values?

5) What is it you want to gain from participation?

The answers to 1 - 5 will help you establish your “Rights to Passage” and the quality of your journey.

What say you?

Jay is one of the few really deep-thinkers about both the socio-cultural implications of social mpanetworking as well as the practical business application across a range of industries and sizes of business. Jay challenges me to “up my game”.” July 21, 2007 Scott Allen, Coauthor, “The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online”, TheVirtualHandshake.com

Mr. Deragon is consider one of the leading experts in the emerging market of social networking market. He has studied numerous platforms, features, functions and the markets behavior. His analysis and findings conclude that this space has tremendous potential for individuals, conies aentire industries. There is an art and science to social networking that requires constand nt learning as the market matures. To read more about my discoveries and findings check out my blog.

Mr. Deragon was previously Chairman of XSVoice, a mobile application company that provided technology for live and on demand audio broadcast to mobile devices. see http://www.relationship-economy.com

Tags: When Swarms Collide

Related Posts

• No related posts