Many of the younger readers will have no idea what I am referring to when I say Ma Bell. Most of our ‘seasoned’ (read: Old) readers will find a cool shiver down their spines at the slight mention of these words. Other than a few references in three Beastie Boys album’s the concept and power of Ma Bell is lost on our younger readers.

For a quick run down of what Ma Bell was I suggest reading the Wikipedia reference here. As you can see Ma Bell was a colorful name for the conglomerate known as Bell Systems. At the time Bell Systems was the single most powerful telecommunications company on the planet. If you needed to make a call chances are you needed to count on Ma Bell to do it.

Why do I mention this? Well ever day when I check my Google Reader I run across two or three press releases about some small social network being purchased by a slightly larger social network for some ludicrous amount of money. Slowly and silently we see the social networks of the world forming into a less deviser singular giant.

In 1984 the Federal Government broke up Ma Bell. There were many reasons but the basic one was simple; lack of competition in a market stifles innovation and hurts to consumer. If a monopoly like Ma Bell can happen in past can Pa FaceBook or Ma Myspace happen now?

Social networks are fast becoming the preferred way of communications for many young people. Much like the break up of Ma Bell should the Federal Government begin monitor social networks to assure there is diversity in the field? Who is responsible for assuring that the social network arena is allowed to grow in a free market environment?

I could be jumping the gun here, but it is something I wonder about. Do any of you out there wonder about any singular social network becoming too powerful? Could you see the government stepping in and breaking up a social network because they have grown too powerful? Let me know if this is something you worry about too.