6 degrees of separation? Actually, 6.6

The theory of six degrees of separation - that everyone is only six introductions away from any other person in the world - appears to be real - but Kiwis may be separated by only two.

Microsoft studied more than 30 billion electronic conversations among 180 million people and found that on average 6.6 "hops" were needed to link two apparently unconnected people.

Some people were separated by as many as 29 steps but 78 per cent of the pairs could be connected in seven steps or fewer.

The researchers told the Washington Post it was the "the first time a planetary-scale social network has been available" as they looked into the Microsoft Messenger instant-messaging network in June 2006.

Internet commentator David Farrar said people in New Zealand were often said to have only two degrees of separation because they were within "one or two" of knowing their local MP or local mayor.

He cited the Erebus disaster as an example of a time when people in New Zealand "knew someone, or knew someone who knew someone" involved in some way.

Use of social networking internet sites such as Facebook had also lessened the gap for Kiwis, and in some cases skipped the whole first degree, he said.

Some applications on such sites compare the contents of users' e-mail address books search then suggest links if common entries are found.

"You can see your friends, and their friends, which allows you to jump that first degree of separation to see the next circle out."

Mr Farrar said if the research could be broken down by country, it would give a real measure of social distance in New Zealand.

- © Fairfax NZ News