The whole social network thing is a new paradigm and is having an impact on how we all "do business" and/or relate to each other. I got a lay off notice last month and am looking for work and the first thing the highly paid consultants told us was to join Linked In and build a profile and network.

While I've only been on there for a few weeks it has been very interesting on how the web of connections keeps crossing over and I find I know someone who knows someone that I could use for information on the job search. The whole network thing is still a bit strange to me but I can see the value and it is "working" for me in connecting to more information and possibilities I would otherwise have.

For good or ill, they (the networks) are here to stay so my thinking is to take part in them, with caution, and leverage what value they can provide to me.