Why are social networks so important? Why are they so powerful? The answer is the Network Effect, first popularized by Bob Metcalfe, a co-founder of Ethernet (he called the theory “Metcalfe’s Law”). In other words, when a service becomes more valuable as more people use it, this is the Network Effect. Get Satisfaction has created a great infographic (as usual) visually explaining this theory, which has taken on new significance in this time of widespread network technology. Click the image below to see the full graphic.