Importance of Weak Connections in Social Networks

Introduction

• Speaker's background: PhD student in sociology in 1993
• Encounter with Jonathan, an economist, at the airport
• Discussed PhD project focused on social networks in post-Communist former GDR
• Jonathan's insight: Importance of weaker ties for social control

Six Degrees of Separation

• 1970s experiment: Forward message through social network to a stranger
• Successful chains consisted of six steps (or weak connections)
• Majority failed to pass the message due to fragmentation
• Experiment revealed world is segregated and access to different social worlds is limited

Importance of Weak Connections

• Weak connections: not well-known contacts (e.g., strangers, casual acquaintances)
• Strong connections: close friends, family, similar cultural background, education, etc.
• Similarity breeds connection, but limits exposure to new ideas and perspectives
• Strong networks are often closed, hard for new people to enter, and controlling
• Strong ties can enable toxic relationships and violence

Effect of COVID-19 on Social Networks

• COVID-19 measures isolated people, cutting off weak connections
• Bars, restaurants, gyms, and public places were closed, limiting social interactions
• Resulted in frozen networks, lowest divorce rates in 20-30 years, and lack of spontaneity in Zoom meetings

Solutions: Enhancing Weak Connections

• Open up bubbles without abandoning them
• Convert social media contacts to real connections
• Suggestions for action:
  • Smile at strangers
  • Behave differently with strong ties
  • Host events where guests bring new people

Conclusion

• Importance of cherishing weaker connections
• Weak connections can help solve major global problems
• Wish for the audience: a smile from a stranger to feel connected