Public Goods

The "Mobs" reading discusses public goods. It is defined in the book as "a resource from which all may benefit, regardless of whether they help create it." This seems to be an important idea, particularly into today's day of online social networking. In the past this idea related primarily to public TV, parks, and other general public goods. Today it can relate to ones business, social life, etc. The idea that so many people can be connected through one technology (again the six degrees argument) is rather mind-boggling. However, trends in technology don't seem to last long enough before something is considered obsolete. So once these technologies that we use on a daily basis for social networking, business, and many other things becomes obsolete, through what medium are we able to manage those contacts? As with any free technology "free riding seriously threatens their continued sustainability."