"The great promise of new connected information work technologies — such as real-time collaboration, enterprise search, mashups, reputation systems, content subscription services, and other social computing applications — is that they provide access to vast resources of information in a context that is useful to people, without overwhelming them with too much random information. They serve as filters for complexity and a means for individuals to impose context and meaning on the maelstrom of data that surrounds them. Most interestingly, they are emergent: that is, the patterns of usage evolve naturally and adapt dynamically based on the needs of users and organisations, rather than following a rigid set of structured rules and practices."

Rob Salkowitz, Generation Blend, 26