I felt the same way for a long time. But you have to ask, to good things happen for you because the world is fair, or because you are a rainmaker, or because you are lucky enough that a rainmaker loves you?
My parents were rainmakers, which was great except that I took too long to realize it, including the time I spent at one of the most rewarding networking-intensive organizations in the world, and I refused to network.
Eventually I realized that I was taking advantage of a social structure that someone built for me, but I wasn't helping builds it further. At first, I was just guilty of a self-centered selfishness. Later, the free ride slowed down. Now it is up to me to help the wheels turn, or just coast to a stop. Networking isn't evil. It is a tool you can use for good or evil. Networks are not free, but they can tolerate someone free riding temporarily.
You once had to learn to use a toilet and wash dishes and write thank-you notes, too. If you don't do directly yourself, you depend on someone to slaughter animals or pull vegetableout out of the ground (someone who expects something on return) that all disgusting and fake?
Elaborate on what? It's perfectly possible to live a happy life without putting an ounce of effort into actively networking. You meet people through happenstance without ever thinking "how can I use this person". We don't all look at other people as means to an end.
I don't recommend people because I hope they'll recommend me back or because I'm thinking about building a social structure; I do it if and when it'd help the person I'm recommending them to if and when it'd be natural to do so.
Watching you guys talk about building the social structure and networking reminds me of watching a psychopath try to fit in with normal people and learn when it's appropriate to smile or fake emotion. You're talking about actively learning to manipulate people to your advantage, I just don't find that cool, even if it is to everyone's advantage.
My parents were rainmakers, which was great except that I took too long to realize it, including the time I spent at one of the most rewarding networking-intensive organizations in the world, and I refused to network.
Eventually I realized that I was taking advantage of a social structure that someone built for me, but I wasn't helping builds it further. At first, I was just guilty of a self-centered selfishness. Later, the free ride slowed down. Now it is up to me to help the wheels turn, or just coast to a stop. Networking isn't evil. It is a tool you can use for good or evil. Networks are not free, but they can tolerate someone free riding temporarily.
You once had to learn to use a toilet and wash dishes and write thank-you notes, too. If you don't do directly yourself, you depend on someone to slaughter animals or pull vegetableout out of the ground (someone who expects something on return) that all disgusting and fake?