We’re seeing a lot of networks make their data publicly available through APIs: Twitter, Flickr, Brightkite and the lot all allow people to use and manipulate data as well as in some cases insert data, effectively allowing people to use their service without even having to visit their site. Data that would otherwise have been isolated and network-centric has now become freely available to all. After all, data doesn’t like to be lonely either.
This is data Darwinianism in a sense, allowing data to evolve as it gets cross bred.
Twitter + Google Maps = Twittervision
Tarpipe and Ping.fm are kind of like the alpha males, impregnating all the networks.
The list goes on…
It seems that there’s almost an expectation now that newer networks will come with a certain level of interoperability or openess about them. This makes sense, because we’ve been given that sort of expectation by the current breed of network and nobody wants to take steps backwards. Also, mashing stuff together gives information flavour and makes it more valuable. To state a simple analogy: A boiled potato by itself is good, but put some sauce (maybe sprinkle on some bacon) on it and it’s great.
If users make up the collective God that determines which network live and which dies, maybe the future of social networking will really end up being governed by the laws of nature. No one network will be able to stand on its own for long. It needs to support and be supported. To feed on and be fed to.
Maybe some things never change.
