A lot of the information presented in “Social-Digital Know-How: The Arts and Sciences of Collective Intelligence” was interesting. While reading this chapter, I thought about comments I made, classroom discussions, and my own personal feelings about collaboration. Trust is mentioned several times in the chapter and I do believe or agree that “a lack of trust prevents” collaboration (Rheingold 153). You have to trust the people you are working with will not only do the work but do it well. And if there is no trust, people are inclined to work by themselves. My last blog mentioned Facebook helping me realize what I needed to work on. While reading this chapter Facebook was mentioned again, and I believe it rarely “enables trust building” (Rheingold 155). Instead, I think it makes you not want to trust people more and isolate yourself. I believe that what some people see and what some people have experienced makes them not want to collaborate.

But what I like about this book is it finds a way to make people want to be a part of something online that incorporates others because of the benefits.  If you were not a part of a “virtual community,” Rheingold would make you want to be (162). I want to have “moral and physical support from people around the world” (Rheingold 162). I want help. Unfortunately, I think some people are so focused on doing better and in some cases winning that helping is nonexistent. Competition is definitely a hindrance in collaboration.

Moreover, Rheingold’s chapter helps me see flaws in my own behavior, and I learned as well. I learned from McGonigal

Scientific research shows that we have both the ability and the desire from early childhood to cooperate, to coordinate activity, and to strengthen group bonds─in other words, to make a good game together. But this potential can be lost if we don’t expend enough effort practicing collaboration. (qtd. in Rheingold 157)

In conclusion, we should all strive to improve not weaken positive skills.