Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives -- How Your Friends' Friends' Friends Affect Everything You Feel, Think, and Do Paperback – Illustrated, 12 Jan. 2011

I have been intrigued by network theory for some time and had read Duncan Watts' publication on six degrees last year. I first came across one of the authors thinking on the subject in a well-produced Big Think video. The book is a good follow-on from that. Although not necessary, I found it helpful to have watched the video before when reading the book. If you are put off by a lot of technical maths and formulae, don't worry - this book contains none of that. The closest it comes to this is the list of illustrations of particular networks cited in the text - and they are all very helpful in adding context. I loved this book and read through it reasonably quickly. It is one that would definitely reward a second and third reading. The authors have some interesting insights on the similarities and differences between virtual and real-world networks; and on how they interact. There is so much more to understand in this area. But the authors make a strong and convincing case that if we truly want to understand and resolve some of the most fundamental challenges facing us as a species - some of which we have created for ourselves - we need to understand more about how and why we are connected to each other. Otherwise we will keep repeating the same behaviour over and over!

Got the book in time anddelivered on time. I do however think that the papernis of very poor quality. I expected something better.

Some of the other reviews suggest that Connected is hard going in places and I would have to agree. I will however, give it five stars as it is one of the most useful and inspirational books about human social networks that I have read.At times it explains, walks you through how human social networks work. The introduction to and explanation of the concept of humans as "ultrasocial" creatures was useful to me, and the concept of social networks constituting a "human superorganism" was giddying and utterly enthralling.Despite being pitched at a mass audience there's a really tricky concept at the core of this book, summarised in the "rules" at the beginning of the book. We are affected by our social networks (that's the pop science hook on the cover to draw you in "Do your friends make you fat?" etc.), we change our networks by joining them and the things we do, but networks also have a kind of mind of their own.It's a great addition to books like Herd by Mark Earls. Herd: How to Change Mass Behaviour by Harnessing Our True Nature Very much recommended in networks or how humanity as a species works. Or both...

A very accessible, well written and evidence based tour of social networks. Although the fact that we are influenced by those around us will probably not surprise many readers, the exploration of how we are connected to others and the impact that this has on us is presented in a continually fascinating way. The authors take us through a range of contexts and the role that networks play, giving examples of how these can either be deliberately exploited, for example in political campaigning, or how they can lead to the spread of influences either desirable - such as altruism, or less desirable - such as crime and health epidemics. A reminder that we are both influenced by, and have the potential to influence, large numbers of people, without ever knowing who they are.

Only three stars for this well-researched, original and intriguing book, mainly because I was much more interested in the original and intriguing conclusions than the many pages of social and psychological research and anecdote. These Harvard profs doubtless want to strut their academic stuff but I would have liked (at least) more in the way of summary and signpost, For all that, fascinating, thought-provoking and one of those books that makes you think differently for ever after. Definitely worth a read.Here are some of the things I learnt from reading (and extrapolating from) this book1. We won't understand humans just by thinking of individuals, or yet of social class or race, So things about us are only explicable by seeing us as part of networks. For example, stock market crashes (or exuberance) are much more explained by people being influenced by the network around them, rather than the facts.2. We affect others in many striking and unexpected ways, and these effects only die out after three degrees of separation: friends of friends of friends.Happiness, obesity, suicide, political affiliation, how piano teachers find new pupils, all show up as clusters in networks. Many things work better (health messages, evangelism) when we think of reaching a network rather than reaching a set of individuals. Persuade a well-connected person to change, and change may spread through the network; persuade someone on the edge of things, and only her or she may change.All of us instinctively seem to know or pick up our place in a given network, eg workplace, new church etc. We know if we're on the edge; we know if we're well-connected, and that knowledge affects our wellbeing.3. Because we influence others so much (I think) it is important who speaks first at a meeting. The second speaker has the option of tweaking or agreeing (easy) or radically disagreeing (hard). If a queue of people have already agreed, it's even harder to disagree and harder still to carry the day.4. A fruitful place to find all kinds of new relationship (romantic, business etc) is the network of your friends' friends. It's a much larger network than the one just made up of your friends, but it's also preselected to be full of possibly congenial people and both you and they are have a place to start your relationship that is superior to the cold call or the chance meeting.5. Creative teams work well when they are (a) small and very interconnected and (b) loosely connected to others so that they can get fresh creative input. A team of people just thrown together doesn't work too well, nor does one who all know each other very well and have nothing fresh coming in from outside.Really worthwhile, but wish there was a bit less of it.

An amazing insight into human interaction. A realisation that our percieved choices and decisions are strongly influenced by our 'network'. Full of great evidence to help you have a greater understanding of your potential impact on others.