With Shirky's analysis of the world technology and communication today, he highlights the use of social media and the inter connectivity between people around the world. Being a part of this generation it isn't that shocking to be able to talk to someone half way around the world, whereas around the time I was born, very few people were testing out email. What Shirky depicts in the latter part of his book is FOAF, or friend of a friend networking. Basically all social media turns into FOAF networking after awhile, especially on WSU's centralized campus and network, it isn't difficult to see a friend of a friend seen online to see them in real life going to class. Most of WSU uses Facebook to communicate and create communities of groups, and some are slowly making the switch to Twitter, although there is less "friend of a friend" communications because you just see the updates of who you are following, not necessarily who your follow is following (that's a whole new point). Both of these social medias show and try to help you out by pointing out the "mutual friends" and "you may likes" to create a shared environment of those around you who are interested in similar things.
Another branch of social media is LinkedIn, which would be extremely useful for the FOAF networking for the real world. I say this because this site is about using it to get jobs or connections with people you have met and communicate with them to reach a prospective employer. Although most connections could be added between people who barely speak and don't necessarily do on the site, they are able to come back and use their connection to reach another. Depending on the amount of contacts and connections could help you gain more access with even a broader spectrum of like minded people.
Shirky had given an example of the "small world" meeting scenario of two people having a mutual friend they didn't know they had, I find that this statement will be used more frequently soon due to social media. I have personally said this and have heard others but it truly is becoming a small world due to the connectivity of technology. Not necessarily easy to communicate with EVERYONE in the world, but of those acquaintances or friends of friends who could help you out in the long run.
