I know I read this post in the past, but always happy and think it quite curious when my PLN re-surfaces gems like this at the time I too am pondering similar things due to my own work and experiences.

It is a paradox and one that will limit the ultimate success of ESN technology as it is an artificial structure attempting to mimic the natural activities of the world beyond corporate walls. The structures are wrong for sure but slow to change. I tend to agree with this Tweet I "captured" some time ago:

"The firm of the future may be ten million people working together for ten minutes" - @EskoKilpi

I think ESNs will never truly achieve their promise. Nor should we fool ourselves into thinking they will. I do however think a benefit exists that isn't often considered - that ESNs can serve for many as a gateway drug of sorts to learn and participate in "safer" homogeneous environments until they can see the benefits of even greater connection beyond the walls.