Re: Friends = my network
I think in this case why that person, whom I put in my network, will agree to such proposition without being allowed to choose or decline ?
What you suggest is probably “Fans” or “Followers” – I can be a fan of any Mr or Mrs X, for this I do not need consent.
Thus in a social network or in many social networks Friendship can have multiple levels
Friends – the usual buddypress way
Fans – no consent needed
Mutual friends – Common friends
Top friends – whom I choose as top will appear topmost in the friend list always
“Network” in Social nets probably mean what Facebook used to have, several groups having at least one common element belong to a network. For example, groups on ice cream, chocolate, candy, biscuits belong to a “Food” network 
