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Sought Value

An article meant to provoke - networking is a waste of time. From my limited experience I would agree that the benefits are marginal because as the author says each person is playing their own game. Furthermore, cliques are quickly formed between people who arrived together or know others who also happen to be there. These groups become self-contained islands ostensibly deepening existing and dormant ties as this article recommends we all do. The non-attached folks are the ones that are doing all the mingling, sticking out and being uncomfortable but soldering on. 

 A certain level of discomfort with the whole thing seems to confer "genuine" upon the person whereas the extra-suave who can truly work the room are viewed with some skepticism. Its too much of a good thing. Ideally, the person occupies the sweet spot between awkward and adept, comes in with atleast another person if not more so they can divide and conquer plus form their own bubble when it gets tiring. For me this is not something I have ever enjoyed doing alone and maybe that is why the benefits have not followed. Had assumed that those more comfortable with it will fare much better - the author would have us believe such is not the case. 
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