Remember the six degrees of separation theory of Stanley Milgram, where anyone can be linked to anyone else in just six steps? It was popular in the ‘90s, although it was never proven.
But a new Microsoft study of instant messages sent during a single month during 2006 has shown that it is, in fact, largely true – although the more accurate number is 6.6 degrees of separation.
Researchers Eric Horvitz and Jure Leskovec checked all Microsoft Messenger traffic in June 2006, and have estimated that, to connect all users in the database, the average length was 6.6 steps and that 78% of the pairs could be connected in seven links or fewer.
