Separation by Kevin Bacon (or 6 degrees)

In class the other week we watched a documentary focusing on the theory that everyone in the world is connected by at least 6 handshakes or 6 degrees. It is a very interesting point and experiment. In the documentary they chose an individual stationed in Boston and attempted to pass out around 50. Out of the 50 only about 3 made it to the individual in Boston, but the concept that people and communities are separated by 6 different links still holds true. The movie calls it into a category of network theory and network theory is made up of components, one being the social hubs (or influencers). These hubs are individuals whom have many connections to different groups and maintain this influence in different scenarios. Without these social hubs, the network theory would not survive the way its system is set up. Social hubs attract and offer other individuals a means to participate in interacting or conveying messages. Conveying messages includes broadcasting and receiving and interpreting. Both parties effect and dictate the social hub because their messages are later passed on creating more links into the social hub. Without the broadcaster or receiver, the hub would be much more limited. Kevin Bacon is the icon behind the myth, he doesn't define the myth, rather provides a guide into the human web of social connection.

Engage Chapter 12-18

Reading through the chapter, the section "Multiple Personality Order" stood out to me because "The world's a stage and everybody's got to play their part," thanks to Outkast and originally Shakespeare. It is a constant dilemma every member of the social web is going to have to figure out. And the sooner the better because as we have been talking about in class, everything is configured to a database that does not forget and has limited access, as of now. For me this has always been why I've never committed to the web, I don't trust it. I feel like if I have fun by posting inappropriate sections then it will at some point come back to hinder my progress towards a career. We as internet users must decide on whether we want a business/corporate identity or a personal/casual identity. The book talks about building two online personalities. One personal and one professional. "Our profile should reflect our corporate soal and personality...to introduce the elemtns, essence, and purpose that attract the individuals seeking alliance and rapport with other possessing similar attributes." (130) My problem comes back to trust. If I have a professional identity that is up to date on relevant material, what keeps readers and people from finding my personal identity from my professional one. How do people seperate their identities when most people use the same email or phone number? A question the book offers as guidance is, "Who do you want to be?" Implying the first thing an online user needs to establish is a network that is relevant and advocates progress towards whichever path the user identifyied with. Social media is a term I must realize is not going away and will only be used exponentially more. Social media provides different accounts for people to follow and broadcast information that may be interesting, cool, important, or stupid. Thats the beauty of social media, you can find something for everyone, even if social media itself is not it. Thanks enage!