Six Degrees: The New Science of Networks

(Paperback)

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Description

'Six degrees of separation' is a clich-, as is 'it's a small world', both clich-s of the language and clich-s of everyone's experience. We all live in tightly bonded social networks, yet linked to vast numbers of people more closely than we sometimes think. Only in recent years have scientists begun to apply insights from the theoretical study of networks to understand forms as superficially different as social networks and electrical networks, computer networks and economic networks, and to show how common principles underlie them all. Duncan Watts explores the science of networks and its implications, ranging from the Dutch tulipmania of the 17th century to the success of Harry Potter, from the impact of September 11 on Manhattan to the brain of the sea-slug, from the processes that lead to stockmarket crashes to the structure of the world wide web.

Reviews

"The insights here are fairly mind-blowing" Independent "Accessible and engaging" Nature "A fascinating read" Good Book Guide "Watts looks at the new science of connectivity studies in a new and informative way...he takes us on a fascinating tour of a newly emerging subject" Focus "Watt's theory is exciting for various reasons, but particularly because it brings together ideas from mathematics, physics and the social science. Oh, and popular culture, of course" Independent on Sunday

Author Bio

An Australian, born in Canada, Duncan Watts currently teaches Sociology at Columbia University in New York. He is the author of Small Worlds- The Dynamics of Networks Between Order and Randomness (Princeton University Press; 1999).