Six Degrees of Separation

Earlier this month a Washington Post article talked about "Six Degrees of Separation," you know - that theory that you are only about 6 people away from knowing anyone else? But is it just a joke, or is there some truth to it?

There has actually been some real research done on this. In 1967 a sociologist randomly chose individuals in the Midwest and asked them to send a package to a stranger in Massachusetts. They were not given an address, but given the name, occupation, and the approximate location of the individual. They were asked to send the package to someone they thought might know the stranger, or would at least know someone else who might know the stranger.

Guess what!? Each package reached its destination, after being sent to (on average) five to seven people. Amazing.

Then in 2001 a professor at Columbia University devised a similar experiment, using the internet. His experiment was done on a much larger scale! He used 48,000 senders in 160 countries, and 19 "targets." The average number of people the email had to go through? Six.

Here's an example from my own life! Have you seen the video of Susan Boyle (I think nearly everyone who uses the internet has!)? Well - I asked my neighbor Mary (who's from Scotland) if she knows her (I asked her more as a joke than anything else), and she does! Her brothers know her well. So I am only two people away from Susan Boyle!

Which famous person do YOU know - maybe six degrees away?

(Image courtesy of USMagazine)

Faith and Football


My blog typically centers on real estate related topics. This one however is a little different. I have noticed that much of the news made by professional athletes these days seems the kind that makes parents cringe whenever they hear it.
I would like to highlight a particularly interesting and positive event that will happen May 16th. This event is called Faith and Football and it is being hosted by my church – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Although my church is hosting this event, those participating are men of faith from different religions. But what they have in common is a belief in God, and their faith that sustains them and has contributed to making them the great people they are. The event focuses on “Learning That Great Football Coaches and Players Can Also Be Great Men.” What a positive theme, and hopefully one that will be very influential in the lives of football fans of all ages.
Those participating in the event include:

LaVell Edwards, College Football Hall of Fame Coach, Brigham Young University
Derrick Mason, Two-time NFL All-Pro, Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver
Lenny Moore, Pro Football Hall of Fame Player, Baltimore Colts Legend
Edwin Mulitalo, Super Bowl Winner (Ravens), Ten-year NFL Veteran
Ken Niumatalolo, Head Football Coach, US Naval Academy
Burgess Owens, NFL All-Pro, Super Bowl Winner, Oakland Raiders
Stan White, Baltimore Colt All-Pro and Ohio State All-American
Andy Reid, Two-time NFL Coach of the Year, Head Coach, Philadelphia Eagles

Feel free to visit the web site http://www.faithfootball.org/ . All are welcome to attend. There is an afternoon as well as an evening session. Although tickets are limited, there is no cost. This will be a wonderful event for sports and football enthusiasts everywhere. This is my invitation to you – come join us, bring your friends. Attend a great event where these men will "share their experiences and motivate all of us to be better.”