The 6 Degrees Theory

[Dude_Doc]

I didn't know of this theory until today. It's quite simple. According to this theory, ANY person on earth is not further than maximum 6 persons away. That is, person A knows person B, who in turn knows person C etc.

A funny example is how I, through maximum 6 people, connect to the president of the United States.

(This is a real example.)

I know my teacher, who in turn knew Olof Palme (former prime minister), who knew Goeran Persson (current prime minister), who have met with George Bush.

Now, the least requirements for this theory is a form of "question-reply", that is, if I send a message to George Bush, and he replies, then that is one connection.

It also seems that this theory isn't new, but that it has been in existence for decades (it is easier now, of course, with the internet).

Now, can anyone confirm this :)?

[Wolf]

I've heard of this. I think this is called "6 Degrees of Separation", meaning, that you are separated from all other people on the planet by the process of A knowing B, who knows C, who knows D, etc. It is theorized that all human beings know each other to within 6 degrees of this separation. Now, I think this theory only holds true for the current size humanity is, and for the space humanity inhabits. The first part of this is so because, when humanity consisted of only 100 people, it was likely they all know each other to probably within 4 degrees. Now, the space issue. Let us say that there are two cultures who have never met each other, and each culture has less than 50 people. It is likely that the people in each culture know each other to within 1 degree of separation (its like naming everyone in a class), but, from culture to culture, the degrees of separation are infinite. So, let us assume that humanity were to colonize another world, in time, there would be extending degrees of separation. Imagine another Earth, where everyone knows everyone else to within 6 degrees. Then, imagine someone on one end of the scale of separation trying to get to someone on the other side of the separation. You would have well more than 10 degrees. Even today, it is possible, with cut-off villages and culutres, that there are more than 6 degrees of separation.

But, I can't confirm it. I would need charts, graphs, and mathematicians.

[Mahdi]

It's an old theory, started as a game (6 degrees of Kevin Bacon).

They tested it last year and came up with it actually being 8 degrees if you say you actually physically have had to have met the person for it to count.

[Caid Ivik]

Well, I must lowly say it's less than 6 usually for me  ;D

[nemafakei]

Hm. Why is this in PRP, anyway?

I can get to Aung San Suu Ky in three (myself not included).

[Dude_Doc]

I've heard of this. I think this is called "6 Degrees of Separation", meaning, that you are separated from all other people on the planet by the process of A knowing B, who knows C,

...

That's exactly what I said ;) ...

Hm. Why is this in PRP, anyway?

Well, why not create a Theories-Philosophy section? I mean, philosophy within the limits of different theories, ex: time travel, made up possible formulas, bladder bladder? I could be the admin of that section.

Besides, how do you get status here? I did not quite follow...

[Wolf]

I didn't see the term "6 Degrees of Separation" up there, Cyborg  ;)

[Dude_Doc]

I didn't see the term "6 Degrees of Separation" up there, Cyborg

Yeah, whatever...

Hey, Gob, can't we create a Theories Section? Pretty please??

[nemafakei]

Why? What use would it serve?

[Dude_Doc]

It would be fun. We all could post our theories about this and that... ;)

[Egeides]

[me=Egeides]hopes he gets as many degrees as possible from George Bush and Steff Carse[/me]