[Fredslist] Networking then and now

[Jane Cottrell]

This piece from a British Royal Society for the Arts blog seems so Fred-like
that I have to share it (with permission from and thanks to the author,
 Lynn Broadbent):

"If you think networking is a new idea think again.  It turns out that
Benjamin Franklin started a social network in 1727, long before Web 2.0.  It
was called the “Junto” and also known as “the Leather Apron Club”.  Its
members included a cobbler, a glazier, a scrivener and at least one
gentleman, who met for mutual improvement and discussion in Philadelphia.
The Junto’s Friday evening meetings were organized around a series of
questions, for example:

# Do you know of any fellow citizen, who has lately done a worthy action,
deserving praise and imitation? or who has committed an error proper for us
to be warned against and avoid?
# What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard? of
imprudence? of passion? or of any other vice or folly?
# What happy effects of temperance? of prudence? of moderation? or of any
other virtue?
# Do you think of any thing at present, in which the Junto may be
serviceable to mankind? to their country, to their friends, or to
themselves?
# Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up, whom it lies in
the power of the Junto any way to encourage?
# Have you lately observed any defect in the laws, of which it would be
proper to move the legislature an amendment? Or do you know of any
beneficial law that is wanting?
# Have you lately observed any encroachment on the just liberties of the
people?
# Hath any body attacked your reputation lately? and what can the Junto do
towards securing it?
# Is there any man whose friendship you want, and which the Junto, or any of
them, can procure for you?
# Have you any weighty affair in hand, in which you think the advice of the
Junto may be of service?

The group is credited with promoting innovations such as volunteer
fire-fighting clubs, improved security (night watchmen), and a public
hospital."

Not so very different from the Gotham and RSA networks of today!

Jane Cottrell
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.gothamnetworking.com/pipermail/fredslist/attachments/20100219/9aa346f7/attachment-0001.html