Do you care about your (social) network?

World has been changing a bit, actually it changes all the time. We used to have network of people around us, immediate family, neighbours, classmates, work mates. This has changed due ability to reach out fmor the physical homebase, traveling, calling, sending cards, internet. Due the connected nature via internet, our network can be much greater than it used to be - with shorter amount of time than otherwise. Also the value of your network makes us more valuable. It is quite common that deals, knowledge are based on trust - and that can be based on who can vote for you.

Trust.

Before being trusted, one needs to gain trust. It can take years to get it. It is said that network is built before it is needed. It is a social network after all.

Social.

What does it mean being social Should the extrovert behaviour then be preferred? One should know that introvert is not same as shy.

There has been interesting studies, thoughts, about how people change their social network when becoming older, even lessening the amount of people on it, becoming more lone (but not lonely) wolf. This is interesting when comparing the youth, when trying to seek who we are, common acceptance and such. Yet, animals do the same - after initial childhood they are exepcted to fly out from the nest. This essentially means we actually are exepcted to live like introverts want to live. Being together with other people was for seeking safety and security. So the introverts are the brave ones, and not the one who move to big cities as they are “just” seeking the safety?

Caring.

Now, it is important to nurture the connection, and not only utilize the network when you need it. That way you need network of altruistic givers and never reveal the sources if wanting not to be seen as exploitater of other people. It may not always feel good to help people who always exploit others. Do you care about your (social) network?