Six Degrees of Separation: The theory that everyone in the world is connected to each other by a string of no more than six people.
A sociologist actually did this test… And dammit, I will post the cite before I go to bed tonight. It was in my sociology book from last semester. He randomly chose people from the phone book, got a few pertinent details from them, then randomly chose other people to whom he sent letters saying: “Who do you know who knows Joe Blow, a 33-year-old federal government contractor who works on locks and dams, who was born in Erie, Pennsylvania? Send this letter to the person in your life who is most likely to know Joe Blow.” The sociologist found that the letter would get to its intended recipient within six tries.
Hmm. Well, lessee. My college roommate is married to the guy who was Paul Wylie’s roommate at Harvard (before he won the silver medal) - which, in weird way, makes me Paul Wylie’s roommate-in-law, though I have not met him personally. That path might be promising, but someone else probably has a more likely one.
I went to UT Austin for two semesters. When I say “went,” I mean that I was enrolled in college; however, I did not actually attend. Also known as “Majoring in Beer.” Anyway, in February 1988 I took a trip to Boston to visit my boyfriend, a Harvard student. One night we ate in the dining hall and he introduced me to Paul Wylie. A very brief encounter, but wow… Very weird. It seems that you and I may have already gotten our six degrees figured out.
I’m going to send you my former boyfriend’s name… I’ve been trying to get back in touch with him!
Let’s see here. I know my Grandma (1). My Grandma grew up with and still keeps in touch with Bob Dole (2). Bob Dole is on decent terms with George Bush (3). George Bush obviously knows George W. Bush. (4). George W. Bush is a Texan like Armstrong and actually called him to congratulate him after the race (5).
There, that was pretty easy. Of course arranging a meeting through those channels might prove a little difficult considering getting a hold of the President to play the role of matchmaker might be tough to finagle.
Best I can offer is a friend in Omaha who’s an avid biker [sub]mmmmmmmmmmmm, bike shorts[/sub] but he doesn’t compete, so I doubt that he would be a connection.
…I thought this was about Kevin Bacon - I am only 4 degrees from him…but I’d need my friend (1st degree) to tell me who degrees 2 and 3 are, because I always forget
But, I can go the long way and be 6 degrees from him too…but thats no fun.
Sorry, I don’t think I can help with Lance Armstrong
Ok, so the next logical step in this is that we are all… even ME!.. only 6 degrees away.
So lets see how this works out, folks. I would love to meet a few of you, and I feel now there will Never Be A Sacramento Dopefest.
So lets go. How would you trace to me, Raymond Brandle, a half-assed computer geek in Sacramento, CA. Graduate of Cordova High School, 1993. Import Racer Fringy and SCA member, though not fighting right now.
