E-mail shrinks the world The theory that almost everyone on Earth is connected to anyone else via a small number of acquaintances seems to hold true for e-mail, too. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3132023.stm
The researchers said that the results did not seem to rely on people who had so many acquaintances that they act as "hubs" for messages.
"We conclude that social search appears to be largely egalitarian," the researchers say, "not one whose success depends on a small minority of exceptional individuals."
The researchers also point out that the enthusiasm of participants and their perceptions play a vital part in explaining the results.