Comments on: More on Trust Agents

By: Gab Goldenberg

Gab Goldenberg — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:19:46 +0000

Hey Julien,

Funny to read this in a totally separate context – I came up with an idea for software to track your social capital, at least in a limited way. It’s linked through my name, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

Cheers
Gab

By: Michael Cayley

Michael Cayley — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:23:16 +0000

Julian,

This is very interesting thinking.

I wonder if you would be interested in writing a guest post over at http://www.socialcapitalvalueadd.com and/or reviewing my ChangeThis manifesto & e-book on these ideas on your blog?

Maybe you be a trust agent with Chris too?

Cheers,
mc

By: Justin Simonsen

Justin Simonsen — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:54:25 +0000

I really wanted to jump on here and say something intelicualy stimulating and all that, but the only thing that came to mind was,“Copycats finish last in the human race, staying glued to safes too prude to take a buddha break.”

Anyway I look forward to what you guys have to say and I’m sure it will be more inspiring than some old recycled lyrics.

By: paul merrill

paul merrill — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:40:19 +0000

I like the title “Trust Agents” – that’s the key to getting things done in way more than just the realm of social media!

By: Moses

Moses — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:11:52 +0000

“Trust agents deal in social capital,”
You may be looking for the word ‘wuffie,” used in Cory Doctrow’s book “Down And Out In The Magic Kingdom.”

Real world example: A friend recently purchased a trip to Las Vegas, to attend the Star Trek Experience before it shuts down, using nothing other than wuffie.

By: Annette Schwindt

Annette Schwindt — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:46:05 +0000

Yes, connecting with people on the web IS a real currency even if it doesn’t immediately come out in form of money. But it definitely helps you to improve, it can result in business, interesting collaborations and not to forget friendship!

By: Neil Gorman

Neil Gorman — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:23:23 +0000

Ok,

I’ve been following this concept on Chris’s blog, and I commented on it over there… but Julien’s post here has put some new thoughts into my head.

Social capital is VERY difficult to define, but I’m going to take a crack at it and with some luck not embarse myself.

I have worked as a substance abuse counselor, and a a teacher of BD, LD, ED students. In both jobs I wanted my cleints / students to enjoy more success in life.

The first steps that in a mutually beneficial therapeutic are…

1. Get the client to trust you.

a. you do this by doing things that are in the client’s best interest, with out breaking any laws.

b. you are honest with the client. Period.

c. you treat your client with unconetional positive regard, at all times.

2. You get the client to internalize the relationship that you have built (on trust) with him / her.

a. If the client HAS internalized the relationship, than their actions will be influenced by the way that the client believes his / her actions will affect the relationship.

b. i.e. the thoughts “what would Neil do / what would he like me to do” will cross their mind before they take an action.

IMHO trust agents do the same thing. People on the web are their clients, just in an unofficial way.

Dig?

-N