Google has apparently applied for a series of patents that will enable it to a put a value on how connected you are, within your social network. Akin to the "pagerank" system used by the search giant for valuing the popularity of websites, "friendrank" would help identify individuals who are particularly influential within circles of friends.

The questions from Google's Project 10^100 are: what would help? And help most?

According to the Project, we are in an interesting time.  One in which individuals have more information accessible at their fingertips than ever before and yet there are so many people who need help; while studies show that ultimately it is helping others that makes us the most happy.

Some updates on stories we've been following at Social Ch@nge:

Google's Evil Meter:

Yes, that’s the lamest article title I’ve ever thought of and, worse, actually published. But 5 G’s? Would you be able to resist?!? Regardless, Google continues to allude the day when someone with a reputation publicly calls them the next evil empire to pick up Microsoft’s torch (and I happen to like Microsoft and think those people are a bit too harsh.) FYI – this article will be published in several parts so as not to inundate you with content as you work to absorb the work necessary to implement. If you want to educate yourself before the next installment, visit http://www.google.com/grants/tour/1.html for a full tour developed by Google of this program.

There comes a time, usually if you’re working remotely or have no office, where you really need a way to share files, documents, messages and pictures online between a lot of people for free.

Easy, I said at my last Amnesty International meeting, we’ll just set up a Google non-profits account - all their project management tools are free. No thanks, they said, we refuse to use Google because of their human rights record.

John Lyman from Google.org talks to us about how social benefit organizations are using Google Apps to enhance their operations and collaborate.

Our goal is really for non-profits to have access to the same technologies that Fortune 500 companies have… And the way that you do that, basically, is you make the same technology available to everyone, which is what Google has done.

Jed Sundwall: What are you working on with Google.org?

Thank you kbaird for the photo!

Last week about 25 people representing 16 NetSquared Mashup Challenge projects joined us for a Hackathon at the Googleplex in Mountain View, CA.

You can see photos from the event in the NetSquared Flickr Group Photo Pool. While you're there, why not join our Flickr group?

Google's engineers, product and project managers want to help bring your NetSquared Mashup Challenge idea to life!

Next Friday, March 7th, NetSquared Mashup Challenge applicants have an incredible opportunity to participate in a Hackathon at the Googleplex in Mountain View, CA from Noon-5 PM.

A group of Google engineers, product and project managers will be available to help you think through your idea, answer questions, give advice and start building your mashup for social change!

Are you excited? We are!

"Mountaintop mining poisons water supplies, pollutes the air, destroys hundreds of miles of North America's most ancient and biologically diverse hardwood forests and permanently impoverishes local communities. For too long, this devastation has been hidden in the remote poverty-stricken communities of Appalachia. This new website finally exposes this national disgrace for every American to witness. Wherever you live, you have a connection – and a responsibility."
-- Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on the Official Google Blog.

ilovemountains, has a cool new mashup that even has RFK, Jr. talking about it! It's their "What's My Connection?" campaign. They have combined data so that when you punch in your zip code, you can see how you are paying for mountaintop removal.