The active sharing of information and expertise...

The active sharing of information and expertise has stimulated invention and innovation. Crucially, this body of work demystifies an important piece of the techno-apparatus on which our lives depend. Anyone who wants to learn can find a wide range of sources, many which have already gone through an extensive process of trial-and-error. But because it's done openly and collaboratively, it alters the material experience that participants have. The competitive drive, insofar as it exists, stimulates a jocular and collegial effort to make improvements instead of cut-throat schemes to dominate and conquer.

Chris Carlsson

Nowtopia, pg. 167

This quote comes from the middle of Carlsson's book and -- for me -- summarizes what I see happening with online social networks. These online social networks that we are all using help us share information and expertise. That sharing allows people to learn things more easily. You might not need to take a class, but rather spend time surfing, reading and interacting with others. The open sharing and the collaborative efforts that ensue lead to invention and innovation. All of this occurs not as a way to dominate or conquer, but as a way to improve what we are all doing.

Yes, this sharing does not have to occur online (and most of what Carlsson talks about it not done online), but it can...and for many of us...it does. And we are all better because of it.