The Well-Read Communter Reviews: Connected- The Surpising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives

By: Nicholas A. Christakis, MD, PhD & James Fowler, PhD

Just how powerful are our personal social networks? Connected promises that it will forever change the way we look at one another -- and at ourselves. The author claims that happiness is contagious, your future spouse is likely to be your friend's friend and your friends' friends' friends can make you fat -- or thin. These are just a few of the startling findings of internationally renowned scientists Nicholas A. Christakis and James H. Fowler. In Connected, they present intriguing new evidence that our real-life social networks shape virtually every aspect of our lives.

How we feel, whom we marry, whether we fall ill, how much money we make, and whether we vote -- could everything around us hinge on what others around us are doing, thinking, and feeling? What does that mean for your business and how do you harness that power? Connected shows that our world is governed by the Three Degrees Rule -- we influence and are influenced by people up to three degrees removed from us, most of whom we do not even know! You’ll love this juicy read and you will love the coplex theories that are put forth by two PhD’s and the way that the make it accessable outside of a clinical setting. This is one of my favorite books that I have read this year. In the age of facebook and blogging, you will be surprised by the power of our human nature, social networks and realize that momma was right, you do have to watch who your friends are!