Veritasium: Something Strange Happens When You Trace How Connected We Are

Something Strange Happens When You Trace How Connected We Are

Veritasium unpacks the beautiful math of “six degrees of separation,” starting with Duncan Watts’ small-world model and Steve Strogatz’s clear storytelling. You’ll see how a few random shortcuts and “weak ties” shrink vast networks, why hubs inevitably form through preferential attachment, and how these patterns shape everything from viral memes to pandemic outbreaks.

Along the way, the video runs hands-on simulations—disease spreading, network growth, even the Prisoner’s Dilemma—to show how a single node (you!) can spark massive ripple effects. Packed with expert insights (Barabási, Buchanan), witty animations, and real-world examples, it proves that our next surprising connection might be closer than you think—and that small behavioral tweaks can transform the entire network.

Watch on YouTube