Separating You and Me? 4.74 Degrees

Adding a new chapter to the research that cemented the phrase “six degrees of separation” into the language, scientists at Facebook and the University of Milan reported ...that the average number of acquaintances separating any two people in the world was not 6 but 4.74...some links might be more meaningful than others.

“We are close, in a sense, to people who don’t necessarily like us, sympathize with us or have anything in common with us. It’s the weak ties that make the world small.”

"Still, he noted that such ties were hardly meaningless. “We should ask what things spread well on weak ties,” he said. “News spreads well on weak ties. Those people I met on vacation, if they send me some cool news, I might send that to my friends. If they send me something about a protest movement, I might not.”-(Jon Kleinberg, a computer science professor at Cornell)

“These social network tools provide individuals with tremendous reach. People can share ideas with only a few jumps to a large portion of the world’s population and with even fewer steps to the entire population of a nation.”-(Eric Horvitz, a Microsoft researcher)

On one hand, it is a startling notion that reaching someone on the other side of the world takes only a small group of social connections. On the other hand...the result could also be evidence of psychological distance: that we were actually, on average, five “worlds apart.”


Read More @ NY Times Link:
www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/technology/between-you-and-me-4-74-degrees.html?_r=1& pagewanted=print

Gamma Ray and Z and others are all the same people. Some days I wonder what half the things written have to do with Treasure Beach. Other days I merely ignore them. [edited by TB.Net]

This is what TBNet likes..so it chases away more relevant and interesting posters.

Thank you "boring, boring". Not saying I have no interest in some of the subjects but what I want is practical advice. On solar as an example, everyone knows it's a great thing but coming up with the money is about impossible. People in America can now get a home outfitted with solar panels for zero out of pocket costs. They need to sign a 20 year contract saying they will sell their excess energy back. What that means is the $70,000 gets paid out of selling the electricity back and it ends up costing them nothing. If they did this in Jamaica they would sell faster than anything and JPS would finally be forced to act like a competitive business instead of the robbers they are.

For what its worth, we (TBNet) don't encourage or discourage these postings, boring boring. We just approve if they are in the guidelines.

-TBNet

boring boring, you are being a tad harsh on these folks (multiple personality and all). For example, I believe it was turey who mentioned on another post about a $7k import package from India for solar energy. I find that interesting, whether I'm in Timbuktu or Moko. Also, practical advise just pointed out about getting solar energy in the USA for free (IS THAT TRUE?). That is of interest to many from TB who may happen to live in the US. Me thinks though pretesteth too much dear boring boring.

Z wrote about the 7K package Sentry. Good for those that have the means. It would be 7K plus other bits of equipment and the installation fees.

I'd like to see simple to install solar kits starting at around Ja$20,000. Enough for a few efficient light bulbs, a laptop, cell charging, and a small portable fridge like the ones sold in the camping sections. As $ becomes available more panels and batteries may be added for more current.

I'm using some clip on LED lamps with AAA batteries. With a solar battery charger and some of the new low discharge when not in use batteries, I could see at night with a few clipped around for around Ja$3,000. I know some that would be glad for such a simple and affordable start. Just have to keep changing the batteries and putting them in the charger which faces the sun.

Zeen turey, great points. Relevance duly noted. As you say, others would be glad for such a simple and affordable start, and I can perceive of a time when some of us may want to seek you out for some guidance. As for z (and the others), keep the ideas coming. I don't read all of them, but isn't that how it is with everything else in life? I'm sure others take interest in something I may pass on, and vice versa.

Found a lamp with a built in solar cell. No changing of batteries.

http://www.likecool.com/IKEA_Solar-Powered_LED_Desk_Lamp--Lighting--Home.html

This is US$20, there are similar ones available at wholesale prices that would enable a better price in Ja. I'll get a couple and report on it's performance.

Yes Sentry, each one teach one is key in areas like this where some that should be opening the way are not.