Social Networks and Prediction Markets

OK.  Valid point.  But there are more straightforward ways to establish a prediction market than by putting your social network to work.

Weak Ties and Diversity in Social Networks - Bokardo

What struck me about Anne and Andrew’s pieces was the implicit idea of the value of diversity. Neither mentioned this explicitly, but for those familiar with James Surowiecki’s work The Wisdom of Crowds, diversity is crucial to wisdom, and thus problem solving. Weak ties helps explain how we continually introduce diversity within our social groups, by periodically leveraging those relationships with people outside our close-knit social networks.

Google’s GPhone Strategy

A good NYT article that summarizes the GPhone plans for later this year.  They assert that the main goal is to attack the Windows mobile OS, and view Apple’s iPhone a fait accompli which Google cannot hope to undo.  But they also say:

For Google, Advertising and Phones Go Together - New York Times

Some believe another major goal of the phone project is to loosen the control of carriers over the software and services that are available on their networks.

“Google’s agenda is to disaggregate carriers,” said Dan Olschwang, the chief executive of JumpTap, a start-up that provides search and advertising services to several mobile phone operators.