Trust and transparency

An email this morning introduced me to someone I was completely unaware of, alas, until today. At the Hypergene blog, Chris Willis and Shayne Bowman posted an interview with Karen Stephenson, whose new book is tantalizingly named Quantum Theory of Trust: The Secret of Mapping and Managing Human Relationships.

[from Trust in Transition: An Interview with Karen Stephenson]

Q: What is your new book about?

The Quantum Theory of Trust is about the ‘engine’ behind human networks - aka - trust. It is the fuel that drives the networks for good or for bad.

I talk about networks in a way that competitors can’t or haven’t - competitors are simply connecting the dots with technology without a lot of measurement or theoretical understanding behind what they are measuring. Even the competitors I have taught or transferred this to are more in the ‘sound-bite’ arena.

Q: Why did you write the book?

I hope to teach people to think about how they invest their resources of time and personal knowledge in the networks they keep. It’s important to store knowledge in your networks but no one person can control them and that is why the unexpected or disastrous can happen.

The piece is an interesting read, but ultimately frustrating. I think I need to either read the book, or talk to her directly, or both. Guys — hook me up with a copy?