The web site They Rule lets users map the interconnections of corporations and board members, suggesting the dense cross-influence of a few people on a lot of money and corporate activity.
Cooler still, users can build their own maps to explore different connections (like this one, showing connections between New York Times board members, and the other companies they represent).
They Rule is intended as social commentary. But it would also be fascinating to see such an interconnection map for any community’s nonprofit board members. I’m guessing we’d see a dense network of the same faces, governing a full range of public resources. Good or bad? I don’t know. But interesting.