I was at a networking event yesterday, and the presenter, Sue Koch, made an interesting comment about how I am two degrees of separation from everyone in the world. It was a funny reference to Six Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon, but it started to get me thinking about that on a different level. Between all of the social networks that I am on, along with the multiple Twitter accounts that I have how close am I to every person in the world?
I actually might be three degrees of separation from the vast majority of the planet. Bear with me on this strange and extravagant experiment designed to show how a normal schmoozer is closer to the world than at first he may appear. Magic and mystery await! Besides, if you do not like this post, what else is there to do on a Friday? Enjoy a beautiful spring day or have fun with your family?
Three Degrees of Separation Ingredients
First, we need to list my social networks. Please do not drool with too much excitement, I am not listing them all here for time and sanity sake. Some estimates will be made, and incorrect assumptions from here on out are explained in a very small disclaimer that does not exist at the bottom of this post. Look really closely for the 1 point font that I used to write it out.
Twitter- Total followers ~150,000
(3 largest @andynathan, @smartatthestart, @checkgoodies)
Facebook-4,476 Friends
Facebook Fan Page- 530 Fans
LinkedIn- 776 connections
Plaxo- 465 contacts
Digg-266 Connections
Foursquare- 230 Friends
MLMSocial- 126 Friends
The list just keeps getting smaller from here. The fact is that altogether the remaining networks might not have more than 1,000 connections combined.That means we are talking about a total of around ~157,000 social network connections. However, I know that about 1/3 of those connected through different Twitter accounts and other social networks are repeats. I like people to be on multiple networks with me (That might be another blog post in itself). That means if we take that number and chop off about 33% we have approximately ~105,000 connections combined.
Perfect! Now, we have a base to see how far away I am from the rest of the world.
World domination is mine! He! He! He! (Insert evil laugh and have thunder striking in the background). Oops did I say that out loud?
Three Degrees Of Separation Calculations & Speculations
Now that we have a starting figure, let’s determine how far I am away from the rest of the world. Those lucky folks! We will now enter the mathematics portion of our blog post. I do not like math, so any mis-calculations please refer to the non-existent disclaimer at the bottom.
We have to start out with determining how many connections each one of my connections has on average. We know at a minimum, according to Facebook statistics that the average user there has 130 friends. However, we know that number is probably higher on Twitter for a lot of the people I am connected to, and also for LinkedIn as well. So, to make this simple we should use my network statistics on LinkedIn as a basis for understanding how many connections on average each of my social network connections have.
So, let’s start using math. Get out your calculators and a beer. This should be fun!
According to the LinkedIn Chart above, I have 776 first degree connections and 206,100 second degree connections. That means on average every LinkedIn user that I am connected to has 266 connections of their own. Take it one level farther and the combined connections of my first and second degree connections is 7.65 million. That means on average those connections have friends with an average of 37 connections.
We are getting close!
So, let’s put this all together into one neat formula.
(105,000 x265) x 37=1,029,525,000 people
Three Degrees Of Separation Meaning
Disappointingly enough I am four degrees of separation from world, not three degrees of separation. I assume that if we take an average of 1 billion people each of them know at least 5-6 people.
How, will the remaining five and a half billion people on the world survive knowing about this catastrophe. At the same point, that means that currently I am connected within 3 degrees of separation from the majority of the social networking population around the world (Check Social Networking Statistics).
On a more important level this demonstrates that we all have the power to let the world know about how we can each individually change the world. Too often we hear people complaining about how they do not have a voice. What is the impact that they have on society? If they just looked a little bit past themself they will find a world of influence and relationships awaiting them.
Additionally, it confounds me that people sometimes ignore social networking, because they believe it is a fad. Finding true professional relationships to grow a business, organization, or brand will never go out of style. Social networking is a tool. The fact is that we have to man the tool in order to get the most out of it for our business and personal lives.
Now, I will get off my pedestal, open the window, and enjoy a beautiful spring day, knowing that I am three degrees away from 1 billion people and that this will encourage at least one other person reading this to do the same. Plus, I now have a great line to use when connecting to people on social networking. “You don’t know me, but I am three degrees of separation from you.”
Hey Andy, very interesting post. Interesting how much closer social media brings us to the world as your experiment above shows. And that line is sure to start some very interesting conversations!
Great blog, Andy. You have a wonderfully authentic style and a good bead on how to use social media to one’s advantage. I followed your six degrees of separation story to its logical conclusion and I’m not sure, but I think I’m your brother. Or possibly your uncle. Uncle Jack
That sounds about right! Brother, Uncle, Cousin, something along those lines! Sounds good!
After using the internet for over 20 years, I’m still fascinated at the way it’s brought us all closer together on earth. And, like you demonstrated Andrew, the social networks have brought us even closer together! My best friend lives 10,000 miles away from me, and I’ve only met her once. Don’t you love it?
Have a terrific weekend, Julieanne
Andy,
I’ve always prided myself at being a numbers kind of guy, but you got me on this one. Never really looked at the term “degree of separation” or in this case connection. It really is mind bloggling how many ways and possible connections are available today.
Enjoyed the post.
Mike Sweeney
Love the numbers, Andy! As somebody who grew up in the dark ages, I’m so excited to be part of the world wide web. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet and interact with people from everywhere. Thanks for delineating the awesomeness of how connected we can become.
Wishing you a song in your heart,
Miss Leslie @ Music with Miss Leslie
Hi Andy, you use a very tongue-in-cheek post to illustrate a much deeper point: We all of us DO have a unique voice that counts. It is up to us to speak up and speak out.
As we are now connected on multiple platforms, I will consider myself your 2nd cousin in the UK!
ps, Twitter seems to be your main social media network. Did you grow your followings organically or do you have a software that you can recommend?
Great to connect again 🙂
Hi Andy ~ What an interesting concept…I will admit though, I got a little lost in all the numbers…lol! (No worries though in that your point came through loud & clear) . It is amazing to me that there are still so many of us out there that for whatever reason (usually I find its simply b/c they don’t have enough information and don’t really know what social networking is all about) do not yet utilize social media to any real degree. It is one of the very best things that have come into my life, and allowed me to get to know people that I otherwise would never have connected with during my lifetime. And, as you point out, the more connections I have, and they have, the closer we all are! 🙂 Christine
That is weird! Some of my own replies did not stick here! Just a quick summary post!
It really is amazing to think about the connections! I have had so many friends that I have met around the world that I never would have without social networking. It is truly an amazing tool that connects with everyone.
Hi Andy,
I’ve always realized how social media makes the world smaller, but I never really thought about its real impact until I read your post. Those of us who choose to build networks in social media really do have the power to change the world, change minds, lives, influence hearts and spirits. I have to admit that I kind of got lost in your calculations – but I get it anyway. Wow! Thank you for sharing your thoughts here – they certainly have opened my mind. 🙂
Dena
Fascinating – I have to come back to this one again and try to do the math of my own connections…. hmmmmm thinking hmmmmm thinking bleep bleep bleep hmmmmmm. Tonight my brain is not working anymore !
Thanks for this.
Katri
Katri,
Let me know if you ever got the math done on what you think the numbers would be for the degrees of connection.
Andy
Hello Andy
Great way to lead us to the most important concept of what influence we have if we but exercise the power. Social Networking is not a fad, it is real and has real benefits for everyone. Andy, I copied this paragraph :
On a more important level this demonstrates that we all have the power to let the world know about how we can each individually change the world. Too often we hear people complaining about how they do not have a voice. What is the impact that they have on society? If they just looked a little bit past themself they will find a world of influence and relationships awaiting them.
and have it posted near my monitor to remind me of the power we have.
Thanks
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City USA
Perry,
Wow! That is awesome! I greatly appreciate you taking my words to heart! You brought my words to life with your actions! Thanks!
Andy