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Bob Blakely is speaking about building a relationship layer for the
Internet. A relationship is the context within which we observe one
another. Past history and even attitudes are not directly
observable. This is imperfect–distant relationships are the basis
for inaccuracies. More observations at a closer distance make for
a more useful and feature rich relationship.
Bob puts forward the emergence of the credit card industry as an
example. Rather than requiring shoppers to create intimate
relationships with every merchant, you create a single intimate
relationship with your bank and the merchant has an intimate
relationship with their bank and then the banks form a relationship
(contract) that connects those.
Generalizing this thought to identity, in situations where you don’t
have one good relationships can two relationships provide the answer?
Intermediaries need to have a trust relationship with the user.
Phone companies, utilities, even shipping companies have a great
advantage here. They can out compete banks.
Relationships are the type information about edges in the social
graph. Bob presents a schema for relationships. Relationships have
a creator. Relationships have a type (FacebookFriend). Creators
establish rules and roles. Rules might be “can’t copy.” Roles are
descriptions of individuals who can participate in the relationship.
There are other elements in the schema.
Consents are what you agree to (i.e. enter into a relationship, you
can send email, etc.). Promises are things you’re held to
(i.e. abide by terms of service). You also have claims (i.e. this is
my name, this is my email address, etc.) There might be blocks to
list other participants. The schema is a contract sorts. In
privacy, for example, this shifts the discussion from one of rights
to one of contract law.
Employees present an expensive relationship. Contractors are a less
expensive way of having an employee relationship. This is
relationship federation. The contracting company provides context
about the relationship and there are rules, etc. that govern the
relationship.
Identity providers present a similar scenario. The IdP can, in
theory, create the expensive relationship with the user and with the
RP. The difference is that IdPs can’t make money from the expensive
user relationship. You’re not selling identity. If you sell
identity, like Equifax, people hate you. You’re selling
relationships. They should compete on the basis of cost and
quality.
“X-centric” is dysfunctional nomenclature no matter what the value of
“X.” Functional relationships happen when both parties gain value
and agree to treat each other with respect.
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