Yesterday I blogged that I'm considering an ortho surgeon. I don't know if I need one or not, but my internist has suggested I probably do. So, I'm off to see a surgeon to determine whether or not I need surgery.

That's not the story here.

A friend of mine receives updates from my blog, and emailed me immediately suggesting a surgeon he knows of in my home state.

I just post a blog considering a surgeon and the power of friends and personal networks goes to work for me. I didn't email him personally, ask for advice from him or anyone in his local network, and poof -- I get his input anyway. That's extremely cool.

That's also nerd culture. When someone knows something that you don't, they feel compelled to share. For example, if I posted the specific procedure I have no doubt someone would comment about their personal experience or link me to an article. It's amazing what you draw upon when you combine many good minds into a tight social network that actually acts quite loosely. These friends span years and many state borders.

So, when someone asks "why do you blog?" or some such question about Twitter, Facebook, or some other social media tool, consider giving them this brief example as to why we modern networkers believe our systems of communication are more than mere fodder.

Posted in life | tech jasonn's blog