Six degrees of separation - do you believe this theory?

Question

Someone once theorised that everyone on this earth is connected to each other via a maximum of six links? Do you think it is more or less and why?

Answer 1

When I first heard of it, I gave it a lot of thought. I think it works, because think of this. Say you know 100 people, right? That's really a relatively low number, anyway, but since there are children and really isolated people, let's put the figure at 100.

So, you know 100 at the first degree. If each of them knows 100 people, that would be 10,000 people at the second degree. And 1,000,000 at the third degree. And 100,000,000 at the fourth degree, and 10,000,000,000 at the fifth degree. And 1,000,000,000,000 at the sixth degree. Now considering that this is about 167 times the whole number of people living now on the earth, the theory would really seem to work.

The only problem I've found to this theory is that there are still some people in the world who are really isolated. Some tribes and communities have not even met other people yet. So I don't think this theory would work with them. But if you're talking about people in integrated communities of the known world, then it should work...

Anyway, let's give it a try. I can make it in 4 steps to Bush (just to mention someone famous enough). If you can reach him in 2 steps, then the theory would work for you and me. But even if you couldn't, we could find some other less predictable link. BTW, I'm really interested in knowing the result. If you and I are at most 6 degrees apart, then maybe it works.

Answer 2

It isn't restricted to members in your family ladyjinx so it's irrelevant that your family are English, straight down the line. One of your family members would know someone, for example went to school with them, was taught by them, worked with them, played in a sports team with them, has his/hair cut by them, bought a car from them, shared the same hospital room, had the same piano teacher, have the same doctor, dentist or whatever, so the link can take a rather obscure path from you and in turn to that end person 6 degrees away. The difficulty is to find that chain/links to the target person (the Queen, the Dalai Lama, Paris Hilton, George W Bush, Robbie Williams, Elvis Presley or whomever it might be. I've been reading a great site on this topic at and the story there just keeps evolving...its got me hooked, it's fascinating.

Answer 3

I have heard of this before but phrased a little differently;

" Six steps to the president of the United States "

I thought about it and found that I probably could in the sense of,

Military Officer friend - His commanding Officer - Government Minister - Prime Minister etc.....

So if that is taken as a basis for the president in 3/4 steps ( 3 if PM not needed ) then why not by extension to anyone else ?..

So Yes I believe it ... :-) ...

Answer 4

No. It was disproved recently. The case notes of the scientist that came up with this theory were found. It was discovered that only 3% of the test came out with a 6 person link. The majority of tests (50%ish) concluded with a 10-12 person link.

Answer 5

Channel 4 did have a go at this one 8 months ago or so; a student saw a picture of a horseman in mongolia.... and decided to test the theory.
She jumped on a train in London and off she went.
It worked, and as I remember the girl by passed a connection that would have got her to her horseman sooner.
Remember the horseman being very confused.
The horse understood.

I can get to Tony Blair PM in one step- famous people are easier I expect....

Answer 6

I do agree with it in the civilised world yes but in areas of South America where tribes and such like still live in relative confinement i cant see how i would be linked to any of these people. But it is a small world you never know some documentary maker may have been there who knows my Gran or something like that. Thanks now you've got me thinking, bloody great

Answer 7

I dont think it would be applicable in my case. My family are English, straight down the line as far as anyone has bothered to trace (it's very dull) and i only know 2 people who live in different countries so i cant see how that would work for me. I may be wrong but there you go....

Answer 8

Connected in which way? How can you be linked to someone you don't know or never had contact with? I disagree with the theory.

Answer 9

Probable true. Especially since the world is 'shrinking'. I know people all round the globe, so I can believe it
Scary tho'

Answer 10

Mathmaticaly speaking and considering the law of exponents that would be true. Unless we were seeded by aliens and more then 2 of us were made.