The obvious answer is community.  That’s the first thing that comes to mind. But, why? Individuals spend years trying to find which groups they belong to and which groups most closely match their identity. But, even then, there is a further sub-division of people into smaller cliques, based off of a higher correlation of common lifestyles. This sub-division into smaller groups seems to happen in every social group I’ve ever belonged to.

For instance, a group of community volunteers may sub-divide into smaller groups – the men who enjoy college football spend more time associating with each other; the group of married women who have small children between the ages of 3-7 spend time huddled together sharing toddler tips and stories; and the group of people (men and women) who enjoy jazz music idle off to the side debating the virtues of Mile Davis.  So, although everyone is  there for a common reason, the community splits into smaller groups.

How will online social media mimic this?

Social Media & Keeping the Conversation Going
WebProNews – Lexington,KY,USA
If you followed the Stowe Boyd kerfuffle a few months ago – the one in which he says, broadly, that PR people don’t “get it” regarding social media – you’ll …

Strategies for organizing your Corporate Social Media Program …
By jeremiah_owyang
For especially large organizations figure out who’s on point to respond to bloggers and social media in different segments, product groups or verticals. Teach them, empower them and support them to act without unnecessary political …

Comment on What is social media? by How to Build Links in the …
By How to Build Links in the Social Media Era
Social media exposes all the resources and practices people are using to share information on the Internet. The idea is that when people find information they think are most valuable, they vote for it; which means that the resource …

Is Search to Social Media a Natural Progression?
Search Engine Watch – USA
Today, one area that more and more search marketers are moving into is social media marketing. We explore that move in today’s SearchDay, “Why Are Search …

Consumer-Placed Advertising… and Media Buying?
ClickZ News – New York,NY,USA
Social networks, and the entire social media (define) discipline, are exerting a significant influence on what had been online marketing norms. …

Right Tool Right Job- Social Media
By ChrisBrogan
What other social media tools would you recommend to do the job right? Do you feel I’ve used these tools inappropriately? Jump into the comments section and let us know. That’s the beauty of it, after all.

I’ve read and re-read several books and have started to digest the finer points of each. The idea of forming social networks through technology has endless possibilities for commerce and business. Imagine the potential of hiring a self-starting team to fill and execute on certain projects. Using the social networks, certain expertise would filter into the team and the low-performers would be rejected by the network. Beautiful.