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Health & Fitness

Social Networks: How We Are and Have Always Been Connected

Social networks have been used since the dawn of humankind and may determine who you marry, where you live, your weight, health and many other aspects of your life.

Whether or not you join Facebook, play World of Warcraft, have a Second Life or date through Match.com, you belong to a social network. Did you know that your risk of dying from heart attack could be determined more by whether you have friends than by your race? Or that your success at job search could depend more on who your friends’ friends are than on your qualifications? Or that your likelihood of being treated well may rely on how well-connected those you surround yourself with are? So say Nicholas A. Christakis, M.D., PhD and James H. Fowler, PhD in their book, “Connected.”

“Connected” is an especially timely work given the attention the subject of social networks receives today in the media, and of course in the recent movie about the origin of Facebook. Christakis and Fowler don’t confine their book to examining social media, but look at the big picture of social networks. Their decade-long study of this phenomenon examines its roots in our biology and evolution; and its structures, uses and potential impact on individuals and society. They differentiate social networks from groups of people formed around characteristics (like political party, cheerleaders, gardeners,) and define them as clusters of people with specific connections between their members. Their research leads them to conclude that the pattern of connections may be more important than the individuals who make them.

Other interesting conclusions drawn from their own research and the research of others include:

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Genetics--Humans have a basic genetic predisposition to form social networks, apparent from the moment single-celled organisms conglomerated into multi-cellular ones;

Influence--Our friends’ behavior influences our own in a variety of areas, including study, play, eating habits, exercise, voting, who we marry, when we reproduce and whether we are happy or sad;

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Contagion--People contract emotional states—like loneliness, happiness, sadness and depression—just like diseases;

Marriage and Childbearing--Most people meet their spouses and partners by meeting friends of friends, so the best way to use your network to find a spouse might be to start at the 2nd degree, or friends of friends;

Imitation--Our health could depend upon the actions of our network members;

Visit Eve Laments Blog to see more amazing things our social networks help determine.

Christakis and Fowler also delve into analysis of our social networks’ impact on voting and politics in America; and discuss the possibility of using social networks for combating disease and influencing desired behaviors, such as smoking cessation and safe sexual practices.

“Connected” is a quick and interesting read full of fascinating observations explained with concrete examples. Visit Eve Laments Blog to read the full text of this article

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