Metcalf's Law

(see also relational thinking and other key terms)


2 members 5 members

Original formulation

Robert Metcalfe's (1980) law states that the value (see organisational consciousness) of a (tele)communications network is proportional to the square of the number of connected users of the system. It was first defined by the number of compatible communicating devices rather than with users. A single telephone or fax machine is useless, but the social value of compatible gadget increases with the total number connected to the network, because it increases the total number of participants. Likewise, in social networks, the greater the number of users who are able access the service increases the service's social value.