What are the arguments for and against social networking being classified as a business model?Arguments for-
Business is almost by definition a social activity. It makes sense that newly developed constructs such as the social networking tools of Web 2 have now become important business tools. Who you know is now just as important as what you know. Therefore sites such as Linkedin really cut to the chase: a supercharged resume that not only contains links to past employers, published works and current circles of influence but also makes it very easy for people to contact the person is as many ways as the 'linkedin' person is able to provide. Linkedin has some very powerful people 'on their site' and its is very easy to trawl the site for people who might be able to improve your opportunities.
Arguments against-
Business (ie money/profit) is not the only reason for interacting/networking. It is only one reason and non monetary ones are usually more exciting and useful. Unfortunately some people cannot separate money from anything. People who are open and trusting enough to document their worlds on Linkedin (and other potent social networking sites) must receive far more 'non profitable' requests than useful ones. For some, it could become a full time job just evaluating who is real, useful or a pain in the arse.
Sometimes anonymity is better. Only those who have gone through considerable effort and shown lots of ingenuity are rewarded with one to one dialog with the person they most want to meet.
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