It’s about who you know
There’s an old adage that says, “it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.” If you want to get ahead in life, in your career, or in new opportunities, it seems that the key factor often comes down to how well “networked you” are. It’s about who you know.
In his expansive and exhaustive book, “Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction”, research professor Anthony Elliott seeks to survey an incredibly wide variety of social theories, research and critique. Elliott spans the “classics” or the traditional giants in the field, such as Marx, Weber, Durkheim and Freud. He covers major figures of the 20th century, like Foucault and Derrida, as well as extending through the feminist and sexual revolutions of the 1970’s, into post modernity and in this new 2nd edition, into the post-9/11 contemporary time period as well.
In sorting through the many theories, critiques and points of view that Elliott presents, I looked for a familiar face. Who was in my network? Who was in my world? Who could help connect me to social theory in a way that relates to my research and my work in ministry?
Although we have no friends in common on Facebook, I focused on Manuel Castells, the Spanish sociologist whose research is featured in Elliott’s book and focuses on communication, globalization and the power of networks in an increasingly mobile world. According to research from the Social Science Citation Index, Castells is significant because from 2000-20014, he ranks as the 5th most cited social science scholar in the world.
Elliott explains Castells’ approach: “According to Castells, the rapid growth of technologically advanced, information-rich networks has undermined the explanatory power of Weber’s account of formal organizations. Decentered and flat, rather than pyramidal and hierarchical, are the new boundaries without borders in the network society.[1]
Castells focuses on the affect of computers, technology, financial information flows, and an interconnected global “elite” who control and operate within these powerful systems. Castells writes, “‘By definition, a network has no centre. It works on a binary logic: inclusion/exclusion.’”[2] He is reflecting on the way in which the world has moved from “industrial”, physical, solid structures (and hierarchies), toward something more “diffuse, shifting, and spatially fluid.”[3] Either, someone is a part of these networks (and thus, included in the movement around the world), or, someone is not, and thus relegated to be left behind.
While this may well be true in the world of information technology, I wonder how it might apply to the human migration flow as well. As the world’s populations become “fluid”, mobile, and in many cases, able to cross borders through technology, or to pursue education or job opportunities, how does the power of networks continue to work?
Castells is himself, an exemplar of what this can look like. Elliott explains, “Castells systematically analyzed the global structures through which the economy became networked. This he did by becoming a truly global social theorist, lecturing and conducting research surveys in, amongst other cities, Paris, Hong Kong, Moscow, Amsterdam, Mexico and Montreal.”[4]
As the economy became better networked and as technology brings the world together, Castells also followed this pattern in his own life and work. He became part of the “network” as he travelled, worked, researched and made connections in a variety of places. In many ways, this is the same story that we are experiencing in Silicon Valley, in the Bay Area of California where I live.
The bulk of new arrivals in my neighborhood come from Asian or South-Asian backgrounds, and are a part of this global movement of people. They are largely, and almost exclusively, networked within the world of technology, with the accompanying solar system of academic background, corporate sponsors, and global experiences.
My question is, how will this globally networked group, who have been arriving for decades on the West Coast of the United States (in particular), also become part of new networks here in this country. As Researcher Anthony Giddens describes it, there is a “‘time-space distanciation’—the stretching of social relations across space and time.”[5] Which means that, over time, those original networks can be stretched to the limit, and there is a need for new networks in a new place.
The opportunity for the church in the West, which includes a series of powerful networks, is to intentionally seek out those in the “global tech” networks, and include them in meaningful ways into a new network, called the “Body of Christ.”
If Castells is correct, and a network by definition operates on a binary “inclusion/exclusion” model, then it will be incumbent upon those of us who are well-networked within the church, to intentionally seek out, invite and include those of other networks.
This is always the way it has been done. According to the Gospel of John[6], after Andrew started following Jesus, he went and found his brother Simon Peter, and brought him into the network. And after Jesus met Philip, it was Philip who found Nathanael and invited him into the network as well.
This is the power that people in a network hold. To enjoy the benefits of being included, and also to reach out and invite others along for the journey.
[1] Anthony Elliott, Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction, 2nd ed. (New York: Routledge, 2014), 294.
[2] Anthony Elliott, Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction, 2nd ed. (New York: Routledge, 2014), 297.
[3] Anthony Elliott, Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction, 2nd ed. (New York: Routledge, 2014), 297.
[4] Anthony Elliott, Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction, 2nd ed. (New York: Routledge, 2014), 295.
[5] Anthony Elliott, Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction, 2nd ed. (New York: Routledge, 2014), 296.
[6] John 1:35-46 (New Revised Standard Version).
About the Author
Dave Watermulder
12 responses to “It’s about who you know”
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Hi Dave! Great application and analysis of theory to a person. I agree with your statement “This is the power that people in a network hold. To enjoy the benefits of being included, and also to reach out and invite others along for the journey.” I think I can safely say we both agree on the concept of power and privilege. How is your community and church receiving and responding to the Asian migration? Most communities welcome new people and ask them to “join” the current culture, but it takes someone(s) special to integrate cultures and be willing to relinquish power (cultural norms, etc) to allow the space for someone to truly join. Your thoughts?
Thanks, Jean! Yea, these are the conversations that our congregation is having these days, especially among leadership. One of the key themes of our identity as a church has been identified as “multicultural”, especially as we welcome more Asian/Asian-Americans into our church. The work on this is so multi-layered, but includes my own preaching, the monthly conversations with our Elders, training with our staff, and re-iterating in the public gatherings of the church.
Hi Dave,
What a great closing quote from you, “This is the power that people in a network hold. To enjoy the benefits of being included, and also to reach out and invite others along for the journey.”
Thank you so much for not only saying the first part, BUT ALSO by adding we should reach out and invite others along for the journey!
This is where the Gospel comes in, right? Our interconnectedness with loving God and loving others…
Amen, thanks, Jay!
I believe that no matter how big our world is the person connection, the “let me introduce you to my friends”, will become increasing more important. The online relationships and even the business connections can only bring so much connection. Those are connections that have agendas. True connections, come out of love. Thanks for the reminder to continue to get our of our easy and preexisting networks and seek out those that need the love of Christ.
Thank you,Greg!
Thanks, Dave, for mentioning Castels. I, too, appreciated his contribution of network thinking and agree with you that the church represents an amazing network in our world today.
I am wondering as I reflect on this week’s readings and comments, if the church-as-network is distinct from others in our world today because it is the neglected, the poor, and the marginalized who we invite into the centre, while those with power, money, and status can choose to position themselves on the edges and determine to cede a more central place to others. How this could happen would be the subject of a thesis, I’m sure!
I hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving this week.
Mark!
Thanks for this comment and idea. Yes! I think that is a unique calling of the church and one of the special ways that churches function to expand the circles in which our people live. Where else would these people actually see each other, share a meal, shake hands, have a friendship, etc. The church has the power/possibility of not only breaking down the walls that divide (exclusive networks) but also to build up new bonds of love.
Dave,
Good on you for teasing out the theorist that lines up with your experience. Your understanding of what Castell’s Social Theory can add to your own circumstance is how Elliott’s text is best applied. I wonder if you have thought about how you might connect the 2 distinct networks in your context in a meaningful way. Do you think that the bulk of those in the ‘global tech’ industry would be open to the invitations to find connection with your own network? Would those in your own network be comfortable with accommodations necessary to reach those in the ‘global tech’ world? In many ways your context is a microcosm of what may be the future for the Church regardless of one’s geographic location.
Thanks, Dan. I think these are the big questions, yes. In some ways, it can seem as if the global tech elite don’t really “care” about being part of such a network as the church. But, then again, it seems like the work the church has to do is actually to reach out and find out. Gone are the days of our culturally dominant position, where we simply open the doors and they all come in. Even where there may be barriers, it is our high calling to seek out and invite in. Even among those global tech elite folks 🙂
Dave, thanks for linking in the idea of networking around globalization and the church. The idea of networks being “decentered and flat, rather than pyramidal and hierarchical, are the new boundaries without borders in the network society” makes a lot of sense in today’s world. Do you see this being true for the church? How do you think that statement is or is not applicable to the church? Maybe your church in particular?
thanks, Trisha– yes, I think we are seeing this across sectors in our country today. The church is certainly becoming more “flat” as our whole society is trending that way. This is definitely true in our local congregational context– especially among leaders (how we work together, and how we communicate decisions with the church), as well as among staff and with other leaders. Even within flat networks, there is still a great need for particular gifts, including leadership and wisdom.