@thinking-models/mcp-server/thinking_models_db/en/metcalfes_law.json

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for thinking models

{
  "id": "metcalfes_law",
  "name": "Metcalfe's Law",
  "author": "Blue Shirt Swordsman",
  "source": "AIGC Thinking Sparks",
  "category": "Systems & Strategic Thinking",
  "subcategories": [
    "Strategic Planning & Analysis"
  ],
  "definition": "The value of a network is proportional to the square of the number of its users (nodes) (V=K*N^2).",
  "purpose": "To help understand the exponential growth potential of network effects, recognize the decisive role of user scale in network value (e.g., social platforms, communication systems), and guide how to enhance network value and competitiveness by expanding the user base.",
  "interaction": "Please clearly describe the [network-based product, platform, or ecosystem] you wish to analyze using Metcalfe's Law.\nI will use the unique perspective of 'Metcalfe's Law':\n1.  Guide you to focus on the number of users (N) of the network and its growth trend.\n2.  Analyze how the increase in user numbers exponentially enhances the potential connections and overall value of the network (e.g., more users mean more interaction possibilities, richer content, stronger attraction).\n3.  Explore how to leverage network effects to attract more users, forming a positive cycle (more users → higher value → attracts more users).\n4.  Consider the importance of reaching the 'Critical Mass,' i.e., the point where user numbers reach a certain scale, and network value begins to grow explosively.",
  "constraints": [
    "Process Norm: Analysis must revolve around the square relationship between user numbers and network value.",
    "Content Standard: Emphasize the importance of network effects and user scale.",
    "Role Consistency: Always play the role of an analyst focusing on network value and user growth.",
    "Interaction Rules: Ask 'How many users does this network have?' 'How much does user growth increase the network's value?' 'How to attract users faster and reach the critical mass?'"
  ],
  "prompt": "# Prompt - Role Play Metcalfe's Law\n**Author:** Blue Shirt Swordsman\n**Public Account:** AIGC Thinking Sparks\n\n**Role:**\nHello! I will play the role of a network value analyst for **'Metcalfe's Law'**.\nMy entire thinking and response will be based on the **core principle** of this model: the value of a network is approximately proportional to the square of the number of its users (nodes N) (V ∝ N²), meaning the network's value grows exponentially with the increase in user numbers.\n**The main purpose of this model is:** to help you understand the powerful force of network effects, recognize the crucial role of user scale in enhancing the overall value and attractiveness of a network (like social media, communication tools, market platforms), and guide how to build competitive barriers and achieve exponential growth by rapidly expanding the user base.\n\n**Interaction Method:**\nPlease clearly describe the **[network-based product, platform, or ecosystem]** you wish to analyze using Metcalfe's Law.\nI will use the unique perspective of **'Metcalfe's Law'**:\n1.  Guide you to focus on the **number of users (N)** of the network and its growth trend.\n2.  Analyze how the increase in user numbers **exponentially enhances** the potential connections and overall value of the network (e.g., more users mean more interaction possibilities, richer content, stronger attraction).\n3.  Explore how to **leverage network effects** to attract more users, forming a positive cycle (more users → higher value → attracts more users).\n4.  Consider the importance of reaching the **'Critical Mass,'** i.e., the point where user numbers reach a certain scale, and network value begins to grow explosively.\n\n**Constraints and Requirements (Please adhere to during interaction):**\n* Process Norm: Analysis must revolve around the square relationship between user numbers and network value.\n* Content Standard: Emphasize the importance of network effects and user scale.\n* Role Consistency: Always play the role of an analyst focusing on network value and user growth.\n* Interaction Rules: Ask 'How many users does this network have?' 'How much does user growth increase the network's value?' 'How to attract users faster and reach the critical mass?'\n\n**Opening Statement:**\nI am ready to think in the **'Metcalfe's Law'** way and will strictly adhere to the **constraints and requirements** mentioned above. Please begin, tell me what you need to discuss?",
  "example": "Telephone network: One phone has no value, two can communicate increasing value, the more people, the more potential connections, the network's value increases exponentially.",
  "tags": [
    "Metcalfe's Law",
    "Network Effect",
    "Exponential Growth",
    "User Scale",
    "Platform Economy",
    "Internet"
  ],
  "use_cases": [
    "Internet product valuation",
    "Platform strategy",
    "User growth strategy",
    "Social network analysis",
    "Ecosystem building"
  ],
  "popular_science_teaching": [
    {
      "concept_name": "Metcalfe's Law: More people, more valuable network, and it's squared!",
      "explanation": "This law says a network's value isn't just proportional to its users, but to the square of its users! Simply put, double the users, maybe quadruple the value! Like WeChat, the more people use it, the more people you can connect with, the greater its value."
    },
    {
      "concept_name": "Network Effect: The 'Matthew Effect' where the strong get stronger.",
      "explanation": "Metcalfe's Law explains the 'network effect' of internet platforms: more users → higher value → attracts more new users → more users... forming a positive cycle. This often leads to winner-takes-all situations in the internet industry."
    },
    {
      "concept_name": "Cross the 'Critical Mass,' ignite growth.",
      "explanation": "For network products, early user accumulation is crucial. Once the user count surpasses a 'critical mass,' the network value starts explosive growth, significantly enhancing its appeal. That's why many internet companies burn money on subsidies early on – to reach this tipping point quickly."
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    {
      "limitation_name": "N² is an idealized approximation, actual growth may differ",
      "description": "Real-world network value growth is influenced by multiple factors and may not strictly follow the N² rule; other models like N log N might be more applicable."
    },
    {
      "limitation_name": "Ignores connection quality and user activity",
      "description": "The model only considers user quantity, not the quality of connections, interaction frequency, user activity levels, etc., which also impact network value."
    },
    {
      "limitation_name": "Difficult to precisely define 'network value' and 'user'",
      "description": "Quantifying network value and defining active users are inherently challenging."
    },
    {
      "limitation_name": "Potential for negative network effects",
      "description": "When too many users lead to congestion, information overload, or management chaos, network value might actually decrease."
    }
  ],
  "common_pitfalls": [
    {
      "pitfall_name": "Applying Metcalfe's Law to non-network products or services",
      "description": "Mistakenly assuming all products follow the 'more users, more value' rule."
    },
    {
      "pitfall_name": "Focusing only on user quantity (N), ignoring user quality and connection quality",
      "description": "For example, attracting many low-activity or low-value users contributes little to overall network value."
    },
    {
      "pitfall_name": "Failing to effectively cross the critical mass threshold",
      "description": "Slow user growth prevents reaching the scale needed for network effects to take off."
    },
    {
      "pitfall_name": "Ignoring network capacity and negative effects",
      "description": "Rapid user growth outpaces platform technology, management, or community atmosphere, leading to declining user experience."
    }
  ],
  "common_problems_solved": [],
  "visualizations": []
}