What is "wirearchy"

Wirearchy is the power structure created as the Information Age unfolded, disrupting hierarchical organizations and the fundamental construct of access to knowledge. In earlier eras, when information was scarce and access to information was power, organizations structured themselves along chains of power and authority, with those higher in the organization having more knowledge and therefore more power. These structures disintegrated as the Internet made a huge spectrum of information and knowledge freely available.

The term wirearchy was coined in 1999 by Jon Husband, who defined it as "a dynamic flow of power and authority, based on information, trust, credibility, and a focus on results, enabled by interconnected technology and people". Hugh MacLeod illustrated the basic concept of wirearchy by showing links emanating from the classic hierarchical pyramid.