Why social networks fail or succed.

Tristan Louis has posted "5 reasons why social networks fail" and "5 reasons why social networks can succeed".

Reasons for failure:

1. Privacy concerns
2. No real reward or penalty system
3. Not granular enough
4. Not integrated with other apps
5. Walled Gardens

Reasons for success:

1. Viral Nature
2. Online Identity
3. Enhanced Knowledge
4. Basic human need to share
5. Basic human need to connect

I think Mr. Louis would be surprised at how we can configure social networks today. As we implement them more and more inside of organizations (walled gardens to a degree), the possibilities to add granularity, reward/penalty systems, and intergration with other apps is already happening.