Proximity is an interesting term - I like it. Proximity is generally important in developing and deepening relationships (also related to propinquity, as social psychologist Michael Argyle would argue).

As you say, much is made of fundamental change (or otherwise) of closely interwoven groups. You are right to suggest that different levels of effectiveness occur in loosely-knit groups but I think that is because not all loose-ties will impact the same way on an individual. The impact of a loose tie is likely to be random and it is this randomness that makes it effective - the fact that in your normal day you may not come across this person with those particular insights or views or observations.

I haven’t read Engelbart I will investigate.

Your RSS work sounds interesting and is an area of interest to me. I will check it out.

Have you had a look at some of Douglas Engelbart’s papers over at http://www.bootstrap.org ? Some of what you have written here is a little parallel to his work.

I myself am doing work on using RSS as a tool that can blend information management and collaboration. I’ve developed something I call Xenos as a first step. Essentially it enables the creation of “meta” RSS feeds, that are a first step at building a shared information community. You can check out the beta of the software at http://www.metanews.biz . Just click on the big “X”.

I am not sure if public libraries have used SNA much but I know that some organisations and special libraries have used SNA. For example, at the Information Online Conference in 2006 I heard Bonnie Cheuk talk about how she used SNA at the British Council quite successfully. I hear at different forums in Sydney how SNA is also being used in a range of organisations, but libraries have not usually been the instigators, which is a pity in my opinion.

Regards,
Brad

I notice from earlier posts of yours that you know about social network analysis (aka organisational network analysis) - any idea if any library has ever used SNA to look at its inner workings?

Matthew Mezey
(News Editor, Library and Information Update magazine)

I went to the site and tried to get in but my organisation was rated too small and I was turfed onto another site! So, I didn’t get to check out the info that I assume was deeper into the site than what I was able to penetrate.

Nevertheless, there is a fundamental organisational tension between participation and control.That tension will be exacerbated as new entrants to the workforce bring their own participatory and networked frames of reference to the organisation. They also regard a range of technology tools as part of everyday life and will expect them as part of their organisational association as well.

Regards,
Brad

Tools are a good, along with the commitment of management and/OR the willingness of early adopters to try things out. Users can be the drivers of this change, not just management.

We just released an assessment too that surveys companies’ interest and readiness for web 2.0 inside the enterprise. It is actually a fun, interactive experience, as opposed to a typically dry survey. If you’re interested, check it out here: http://getsocial.bea.com

Thanks.

Blogging sweatshops! I can’t say that sounds too appealing.

Regards,
Brad