Monday, June 09, 2008

Network

Network. If ever there was a word misused, overused, misunderstood, bashed, battered, worshiped, idealized and yet generally aspirational, it’s Network.

And, in that I include all of its variations, differences and distinctions—including Networking; Networks; and most important, The Network.

The Network—network modified by an adjective—the definite article—making it understood by both the speaker and listener that it is distinct from “a” or “an.”

Here is one interesting definition of network.  See what you think.  In fact, I hope someone can figure it out.  “Network: anything reticulated or with interstices decussated, between the intersections.” This is from the Dictionary of Samuel Johnson.

Samuel Johnson aside, Network, or in this case, The Network is a concept that cannot be understood if you look at it simply as noun…an entity if you will. To understand it you have to think about your part in it and how it works.

What I mean is this.  We all have networks, use networks, watch networks, listen to networks, link to networks – you get the picture.

And where once a personal network was an intimate and close possession, we live in a world where faceless, random and anonymous blogging, “social networking” and posting have changed the landscape as has the very concept of friends changed, as defined by the thousands we now each have on Facebook.

We know what powers the usual networks, right? Some are content driven; some are energized by sheer numbers; others by computer strength; or personality dominance; or digital capacity, and no doubt other things as well.

Seems to me, the most powerful networks are driven by people—you and me—who derive strength, motivation, inspiration and sheer added muscle from one another.

Put another way:

“Networking with integrity creates a greater willingness of all parties to be part of a human conduit to serve as energy and resource to one another. Sometimes you will give more than you receive and sometimes you will get back more than you give. It’s not about keeping score.”
-- Chris London

And there you have it. A definition and a road map all rolled into one. The ultimate network – one that becomes in your life “The Network” is comprised of people who give and take and never ever look at the quid pro quo.

Energy,resource, human conduit—fueled by integrity!  Samuel Johnson, move over.

Posted by David on 06/09 at 08:04 AM
(2) Comments • Permalink

  1. Makes me think of the constant need for us to operate as a 'team' for our clients, whether within Wunderman, within WPP ... or even a looser affiliation. And even more important is the fundamental requirement for 'team spirit'. Dictionary.com describes this as ‘the spirit of a group that makes the members want the group to succeed”. Contributing for the greater good.

    Posted by Chris Jeffares  on  2008-06-11 00:35:51

  2. Networks are mathematical abstractions denoting relationships between entities. Pretty dry if you don't love theorems. Networks only start to get interesting when the relationships get clothed in meaning (ie, what they mean to the linked entities), and when activity results in (and throughout) the network because of entities using their relationships. Activity means that entities, or some of them, by using their relationships, get something they want. This might be information, goods, money, control, support, fame and popularity, or even a cup of coffee. This is fairly obvious, especially in retrospect. There's also another kind of activity linked to networks, which is the activity of the network itself changing over time. This change may give or take from the individuals, but it's much more about the network as a whole becoming materially different. Expanding or contracting, and qualitative changes too. WWW, facebook, youtube, and all the baby clones are like this. This activity of the second kind may gain enough momentum that the entities have little choice... Tom.

    Posted by Tom Osborn  on  2008-06-11 04:58:27

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