The Value of Social Networks

Nature or Nurture?  How does the world around us influence us?  Why do people form groups, create divisions between themselves, or even seek to isolate themselves from others?   In the book, Connected -- The Surprise Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives by Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler, the power of social networks is explored from a scientific and social perspective.

We're familiar with the concepts of schools of fish and stampeding buffalo.  If you could ask an individual fish or buffalo why they were turning in a certain direction, they wouldn't really see it that way; instead they would probably say that 'everyone' was turning.  However in reality, they are only looking at the animals or fish next to them and by doing whatever those around them are doing, the whole group moves as a unit.

Christakis and Fowler found that human networks function in much the same way.  They found people can be influenced physically, emotionally and behaviorally.  Many who are worried about the physical spread of the flu are feverishly washing their hands, wearing masks and staying home when they have a cold or flu symptoms.  Emotional influences are also easy to see.  Smile at a person on the street and they probably will smile back.  Frown and respond with irritation to your friend or family member -- they will probably return the favor or gift it to someone else.    Christakis and Fowler found that  behaviors such as drinking, smoking or over-eating, can also be "contagious", and their effects can be seen not only in people in direct contact with those behaviors, but also their friends, and even friends of friends.   Likewise, we are affected by those who have other more healthy behaviors, whether we know them or not.

So now we come to the concept of social networking.  Suddenly we are hyper-connected to hundreds and thousands of people we may or may not know.  We chat, tweet, share, advise and ask for advice from people around the world.  Christakis used the example of a string of Christmas tree lights.  If we are like a big string of lights in a box, would we rather be a bulb in the middle or on the outer edges?  If it's a contagious disease that's being passed around, we'd rather be on the edges, where the intense influences are less.  If we consider the contagious condition of happiness -- we want to be right in the center -- where happiness is the most prevalent emotion.  Does this mean that we really don't have FREE WILL?  That we are simply following the masses?  That depends on how you approach your life.  What if you recognize the tremendous power you have as an individual?  You are responsible for yourself, and your affect on those around you, and everyone who is connected to them.  You are not just part of the masses, you are also influencing the masses and that means that the concept of FREE WILL is incredibly important.  You are now free to choose.  Once you recognize the importance of your own beliefs, behaviors, emotions and yes, even diseases, you can begin making conscious decisions.  And then the power of social networking becomes tremendous. Here, you can choose your community -- and here you have chosen to be part of an online community that chooses to live and eat in health.  Just by being here - you affect your friends, their friends, each of us, and each of our friends.  No matter how small it seems, each time we share a recipe, encourage and support each other, or pass along an important piece of knowledge, we become the point from which that particular energy begins to spread.  And we have no idea how far it will go.  So thank you for choosing to be part of this networking community, for recognizing the importance of eating and living in health -- and for taking your place in this powerful force of social networking as we create a place where questions can be asked and answered as we each strive to build healthy lives for ourselves and our loved ones.