Is Social the New Eyeballs?
This may be heretical, but I question if social is a foundation for the current networked capabilities. It's a nebulous term that is often promoted as the raison d'etre of Web 2.0. However it looks to be the result of innovation and participation, rather than a means in itself. The innovation of sites like flickr, YouTube, etc. that connect people based on common interests. The participation of users who create connections that are meaningful to their current work, needs and interests. The result is social, but it has no meaning in itself.