Social Networking!

Cool term! .... But what is it and how long have we known about it? .... The Wikipedia definition is as follows .... 'A social network is a social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) called "nodes," which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.' ....  Okay, now this makes sense! .... See, I thought this was a relatively new term to our society, but I now realize it's been around along time and has involved some well known characters in history! .... Even some famous story-lines from movies and television involve 'Social Networking'! .... First the historical characters! .... There are far too many to list in this post, so I'm just going to deal with a couple that everyone can identify with! ... Almost everyone is familiar with Benjamin Franklin. .... That's right .... the 'kite guy' ....  everyone knows of at least one of his famous exploits! .... What most of you don't know is that he was one of the great Social Networkers of his time .... both with men and .... especially the ladies! .... Hard to believe those funky looking glasses could be considered sexy, but they really worked for old Ben! .... You see, when it came to .... 'getting around' .... he was a better candidate to be called .... 'father of our country' ....  than George Washington! .... The ladies loved him! .... No .... I  mean they really loved him! .... I'm not sure the his total number of offspring has ever been accurately counted .... but it's many! .... The other great Social Networker of his time was Thomas Jefferson! .... He too was a great communicator and did everything in his power keep his slaves ....  Happy .... If you know what I mean! .... But seriously, the imagination of Gene Roddenberry .... the man behind the Star Trek iconic science-fiction series, captured in his plots the future of Social Networking! ....  He stated in his prolog that .....'We would go where no man had gone before' .... at least not yet! ... In most of his story-lines he constantly was seeking new life sources and trying to establish an open line of communication .... even if these life forms were different from what we knew! .... The challenge for the star-ship Enterprise and its crew was to find common ground to link various civilization together, constantly seeking discussions rather than conflict. .... Did he have the right idea? .... Was this the true meaning of Social Networking? ..... Is it possible that with the advancement of technology this is the greatest tool mankind has ever received? .... Or have we gone too far too fast from Franklin and Jefferson's time? .... Have we made it too complicated? .... I think not! .... I believe we do need to .... 'Go where no man has gone before' .... Heck we have too! .... Franklin and Jefferson have already taken care of the other!