...the phrase 'six degrees of separation'?
2007-07-21 12:43:36 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
That's an interesting concept. How did it come about?
2007-07-21 12:51:41 · update #1
Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that, if a person is one "step" away from each person he or she knows and two "steps" away from each person who is known by one of the people he or she knows, then everyone is no more than six "steps" away from each person on Earth. Several studies, such as Milgram's small world experiment, have been conducted to empirically measure this connectedness. While the exact number of links between people differs depending on the population measured, it is generally found to be relatively small. Hence, six degrees of separation is somewhat synonymous with the idea of the "small world" phenomenon.
2007-07-21 12:52:44 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I won't say what the concept is since that's already been answered, but the concept seemed to become widely popular with the actor Kevin Bacon. He's been in so many movies that he can be linked to pretty much anyone in Hollywood through only a few degrees of separation. They even have a class about it at one of the Universities in California.
The town I live in has about 35,000 people and there are another 15,000 or so on the Air Force Base just outside of town. I would dare say that I'm linked to everyone in this town and the base by only 6 degrees of separation (many times only 1 or 2 degrees), even those individuals who are just coming into town. It's cool in a way, but on the other hand it's almost too easy to dig up dirt on people around here.
The funny thing is, I don't cheat on someone I'm in a relationship with. I don't know how people in this town do it and not get caught.
2007-07-22 09:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by Beth 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess they beat me to the answer once again!! That's what I get for going to see HP Order of the Phoenix! LOL Small world ay? Weird how we could be connected to anyone in the world w/ just 6 degrees (people) between us isn't it!!!?
Glad you got a kick outta the video!
2007-07-22 01:22:00 · answer #3 · answered by ♥bigmamma♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We can each find six people in between us.
Meaning, on average, it takes 6 people to make a connection between each person on the planet that we know in common.
2007-07-21 19:47:20 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa the Pooh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 'Duke', as it were, has apparently covered all the 'degrees' of 'connection' to this Q - cudos.
The concept is brilliant !!
2007-07-21 21:32:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who knew that The Duke was reading books on his off time? Wow ... a gun-toting genuis.
2007-07-21 22:22:25 · answer #6 · answered by Cinnibuns 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one can give a better answer to this than johnwayne. It's a pleasure to read comprehensive and intelligent answers like this!
2007-07-21 21:21:40 · answer #7 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whereby you can link one person to another person or one thing to another thing using 6 connections
2007-07-21 19:46:42 · answer #8 · answered by jade2a6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋