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Opening Arguments

Not such a small world

That cool "six degress of separation thing" that shows how interconnected we all are? Just ain't so:

Kleinfeld's interpretation of all this—which she also published in Psychology Today (March/April 2002)—is that Milgram was so in love with the idea of six degrees that he overlooked the weak statistics backing it up. And worse, he promoted his sketchy results to an unsuspecting public. Not that she thinks the public minds. In talking to others about their coincidental experiences running into friends and friends of friends in unlikely places, she's become convinced that the idea of six degrees has deep psychological appeal. “The belief in a small world gives people a sense of security,” she says.

A lot of social "science" is like this, preconceived notions or wishful thinking backed up by the flimsiest of evidence.

Posted in: Current Affairs

Comments

Doug
Mon, 02/04/2008 - 11:44am

Boy, I disagree about the psychological comfort of a really small world. It makes me feel a little claustrophobic. I'm a history buff, and, again and again, I find myself going back to the 16th century explorers. I love the idea of uncharted lands and unknown civilizations you can sail a boat to.

Leo Morris
Mon, 02/04/2008 - 12:56pm

Sounds OK to me, too, as long as I have my cell phone and laptop.

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