Six degrees of separation proves that in massive networks like our social world, a few random “shortcuts” drastically shrink path lengths between people. Pioneered by Watts and Strogatz, the small-world model highlights how “weak ties” connect far-flung clusters, making the world feel surprisingly cozy.
But it gets juicier: hubs (nodes with tons of links) emerge through preferential attachment, skewing the network so that viral memes—or germs—can explode unexpectedly. Simulations show how disease spreads lightning-fast and how your own connections can ripple across the entire network, reminding us that even small actions can change the world.
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