In an all-channel network, all members interact with each other equally. When people talk about roundtable discussions, they’re talking about all-channel groups: there is no leader, and all members operate at the same level of centrality. Such networks can be useful for collaborative projects and for brainstorming ideas, but the lack of order can make it difficult for such groups to complete tasks efficiently. Imagine, for example, that you’re trying to arrange to meet up with a group of friends. You send out a mass e-mail to all of them, to determine days that will work, and you ask for suggestions about where to meet. The recipients each hit “reply all” and share their responses with the whole group. By using an all-channel network, the entire group may learn that Friday is not good for anyone, but Saturday is. However, only a few people have suggested favorite spots, and there’s no consensus on where to go. That’s where wheel networks come in.