Peer production is a very social activity.  All one needs is a computer, a network connection, and a bright spark of initiative and creativity to join in the economy. These changes are ushering us toward a world where knowledge, power, and productive capability will be more dispersed than at any time in our history – a world where value creation will be fast, fluid, and persistently disruptive.  A world where only the connected will survive.  A power shift is underway, and a tough new business rule is emerging:  Harness the new collaboration or perish.  Those who fail to grasp this will find themselves ever more isolated – cut off from the networks that are sharing, adapting, and updating knowledge to create value. We must collaborate or perish – across borders, cultures, disciplines, and firms, and increasingly with masses of people at one time.

With whom shall we all collaborate?  Recognize that anyone and everyone (from anywhere and everywhere) can be a collaboration partner.  Thus we need to practice generalized reciprocity – “pay it forward;” “be generous.”