Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Six Degrees of Separation

You are probably familiar with the silly social game of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. It's based on the small world phenomena, the idea that everybody knows somebody who knows somebody else, and that in this way we are all connected.

Well, I've just learned of an online service that helps promote people's ability to build just those sorts of connections. It's called LinkedIn. You can use this service to make contacts for job searches, to find old classmates, or to simply build alliances with like minded others. According to the website, more people have joined LinkedIn than currently live in Sweden.

I admit to being a bit skeptical about whether or not this service will really pay off in my future job searches. But it is interesting to see how in just one or two layers of connection I can connect to many hundreds of people.

3 comments:

Mimi said...

I have never found a job through the current head-hunter thing, but my husband just did. I'm too old fashioned.

My husband has the same nose as Kevin Bacon.

Unknown said...

Fascinating how people really do want to be connected. I guess that's why genealogy is such a huge thing worldwide.

Tristi Pinkston said...

1. I used to live in Payson, Utah.

2. The movie "Footloose" was filmed largely in Payson, Utah.

3. Kevin Bacon starred in the movie "Footloose."

I only take three steps. I wonder if I get extra points for that?

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