All Transactions are based on Trust - Reddit Case Study
fourstarters.com
fourstarters.com
http://journal.dedasys.com/articles/2007/06/11/dunbars-number-and-online-communities
When I use facebook, I only really add people I know in real life, since I value privacy. When I use reddit, I want to learn about new things and different ideas. I just want a certain level of discourse, that's all.
Find a way to guarantee an intelligent, targeted conversation while at the same time allowing me to expand my sphere and you have a winner. Reddit tried this using it's "recommended" page, but I think they have failed, primarily because they don't place enough value in comments, IMO.
The site figures out what you like and adds you to some sort of group with other like minded people. The members of this group don't change too often, and you principally interact with them, although perhaps you see things of interest to everyone on the site.
Shrug... if I had a clear vision of the answer, I'd try and build it:-)
I'll post part 2 later today!
Can't wait for part two.