It constantly amazes me how the world is such a small place. You’d think that with all the trillions of people wandering around we’d be less likely to cross paths with quite so many people who are already – and unexpectedly – linked to us. Yet, for some astonishing reason (which can also be rather annoying at times), we seem to be more connected than we can imagine.
In fact, the older I get the more credit I have to give to the theory behind the six degrees of separation, because invariably a friend of a friend will be friends with my friend and so it goes. In short, it’s not that hard to imagine how most people are only six connections away from you, especially now that we have the Internet and social media where everyone practically knows everyone – and virtually everything about them. It’s so great to know that you just brushed your teeth. Thanks for sharing that fascinating, life-changing information!
Talking of how small the world can be, over the years, I have met several different people (including one who lived on the other side of the country) who somehow landed up having a mutual friend or acquaintance in common with me. It’s so bizarre!
Not to mention that I now have a friend, who I met through our book club in South Africa. After several months of knowing her, I discovered that she was friends with another friend of mine, who she had met in Scotland. I mean, what are the chances? Two South Africans travel separately to Scotland and become roomies and friends and I end up being friends with both of them, without even initially knowing there was a connection.
Incidentally, I booked myself on an overseas tour of Europe, some years ago, when I was living in England. No sooner had I arrived there for the start of the tour when I discovered that my fellow tour mates consisted of a number of people who I had gone to school with in South Africa. What are the odds?
And, don’t forget about my friend who I met at work. After working together for several months, we finally realised that we had not only lived in the exact same house at different stages of our lives, but that we’d spent our teenage years growing up in the same complex where both of our parents still happen to live – and somehow we’d ended up working together. It’s so insane, it’s virtually unbelievable!
It’s a strange phenomenon, but the world seems to be shrinking more and more each year. In fact, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve found myself utterly gobsmacked by how intertwined our society truly is. Although, to be completely honest – and for some incomprehensible reason that can only be attributed to that dreadful Murphy – most of the time when you are reminded of how small the world is you would rather have remained blissfully ignorant of that fact. There’s nothing worse than going on a first date with someone “new” only to discover that you already have mutual connections – especially if the date tanked and you’re hoping never to see that person again!
That said, in an increasingly fragmented, digital society where people are forgetting how to interact on a personal level, it’s comforting to know that we are all potentially linked in the most unexpected and extraordinary ways. What’s more, we are far more connected to those around us than we may ever perceive. Have you ever stopped to wonder who might be only six degrees of separation away from you? The possibilities are stupendous…
Audrey Whyte 
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