Trust Trumps Information in A Networked World

The 19^th century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli  once said, “As a general rule the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information”. Although true in the 18^th and 19^th centuries during the Industrial Revolution and reaching its zenith in the Information Age of the 20^th century, it is Trust that trumps information in the Networked World of today.

 The Industrial Revolution got its start in Great Britain during the 18^th century which at the time was the most powerful empire in the world. During this period advancements in technology led to the development of the steam engine, manufacturing, textiles, communication and  energy industries. The “best information” was held by a relatively small class.

The Information Age, also referred to as the Computer or Digital Age has been characterized by individuals having free flow and easy access to information through computers and networking devices. The internet, with platforms like ActiveRain, FaceBook, Google and Youtube has given the general public access that would have been difficult to access before.

The Information Age has metamorphosed into what some have called the Connected Age with its locus represented by a Networked World.. Characterized by nearly transparent, hyperlinked, interconnected communication networks, the Networked World  has as its priority the development of relationships As stated in the article titled The Information Age To The Connected Age ,  value in the Connected Age lies “In the relationships that aggregate, filter, and manipulate distributed intangible goods”..

The key to the focus on relationships is trust. Trust defined as certain and secured reliance on the character, strength or truth in the information provided and the entity providing it. Trust is the glue that holds relationships together.  It is the default filter that assures the “Best Information” in the  free flowing and easily accessible information system of the Networked World

The importance of Trust in a Networked world- in a Connected Age- may have been expressed best by Eric Schmidt, the current Executive Chairman of Google. At the 2009 Commencement Address at the University of Pennsylvania Mr. Schmidt stated, “In a networked world, trust is the most important currency”.

Yes Eric, Trust trumps Information in a Networked World.

This post is a submission to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize. You can find out about the contest by clicking here