Discussed your article with a friend of mine. People join LinkedIn to initially build an online resume which advanced into LinkedIn selling data or became a hangout spot for sales rep or HR - thus there is so much spam content.

Let's say tomorrow you are to make a quality linking connections platform. Why would people join it? What incentive would people have to join yours when they can still do it on LinkedIn, even if LinkedIn is horrendous?

It is quite difficult in the beginning when you have to differentiate yourself from LinkedIn while convincing others to join and build your community.

I like to hear more of your thoughts on this issue - I think its quite fascinating to think about "how to build a new LinkedIn?".