Some More Thoughts on Collective Intelligence

To me the whole social networks “thing” is massively overblown. It is kind of like saying “xxx.com” in the late 1990s that drove valuations to absurd heights. Today calling something either a play on social networks or a social network itself seems to elicit the same frenzied response. And it is totally missing the point.

Here are a few more thoughts I’ve had on the topic of Collective Intelligence (CI):

• CI is not a function of who you know, but what you know.

• It is particularly potent within vertical communities, where experts and influencers rise to the top and help shape the CI of that community.

• It is often markedly different than simply the sum of a pool of autonomous actors; it takes into account the reflexive relationship among members of the community that helps shape opinion and, therefore, CI.

• It is important to differentiate between objective and subjective questions. Where the matter is factual, having access to a large pool of potential experts is valuable for getting the correct answer. Where the matter is subjective, there is no right answer and the community’s CI will be driven by a handful of thought-leaders and influencers who are able to shape the dialog.

• Bonds within social networks are not nearly as impactful on CI as implied bonds with experts and thought-leaders. While these bonds are devoid of a social element, they are based on tastes, preferences and authority, not simply friendship.

• Prediction markets are an incredibly valuable and useful tool for determining group opinion. However, this is only one facet of CI that needs to be explored as part of a more comprehensive discussion of the topic.

I’ve got to run to catch a plane but I am eager to spend more time thinking about these and other ideas.

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