Something Strange Happens When You Trace How Connected We Are

Derek Muller dives into the math behind “six degrees of separation,” showing how just a few network shortcuts (aka “weak ties”) turn huge social webs into “small worlds.” You’ll see Duncan Watts’ small-world model in action, watch disease-spread and hub-formation simulations, and learn how Barabási’s idea of preferential attachment makes some people or sites massively more connected than others.

Along the way, you’ll meet classic concepts like the Prisoner’s Dilemma and discover how your own choices can ripple through these networks. It’s a fun, visual journey through the hidden structures that bring us all closer than we think.

Watch on YouTube