In Continuum.

Six Degrees of Separation

"...I read somewhere that everybody on this planet is separated by only six other people. Six degrees of separation between us and everyone else on this planet. The President of the United States, a gondolier in Venice, just fill in the names. I find it extremely comforting that we're so close. I also find it like Chinese water torture, that we're so close because you have to find the right six people to make the right connection... I am bound, you are bound, to everyone on this planet by a trail of six people..."

--- Stockard Channing,as Louisa 'Ouisa' Kittredge in Six Degrees of Separation

I first heard about the concept this from the title of this movie of course.The title attracted me,not because it was in any way fascinating,but because of the fact that it made no sense at all.Upon digging into the synopsis of the movie and reading up on the topic i finally realised the meaning behind the title of the movie starring Ronald Sutherland,Ian McKellan and Will Smith.

I forgot about that concept of course,but was reminded only just now as i watched a little reality show like documentary called "My Date with Drew" on Star Movies.It's about this guy Brian,winning $1100 on a game show,and decided to use that amount money to date Drew Barrymore,a crush he has had since childhood,in exactly 30 days.He and his friends documented the whole journey with a rented camera,based on the theory stated above that everybody on earth is connected to one another by six person or less.

It was a hilarious documentary i must say,and i found myself cheering for this not-so-handsome guy,going through a makeover(Which included a facial,work outs,and almost led to waxing)and actually hiring a fake Drew Barrymore for practising.It was funny,and afterwards i thought of the possibility of the theory being true.According to the show,it was.Tested and proven,and his dream came true as Drew agreed to date him in New York,87 days after the project started.

Before this little reminder came along i've always believed that i am in some ways related to everybody on Earth.That is when internet gimmicks like Friendster comes into play,and i believe that if the program is able to show 5th or 6th degree friends,it's true that everybody is connected there somehow,some way.

Corinna and i used to argue that it is impossible for that theory to be true.In my guts i know that i am definitely related to Dalai Lama somehow,through friends of friends of friends of friends of friends...well,six person is all it takes for me to be related to him.You might think that it is ridiculous,that it is rather stupid of me to believe such a theory.It is,if you think about it.I mean,there are after all ten billion people living on this Earth,and to have everybody connected to one another through six others is almost impossible.

I cant even imagine the relationship between myself and say...a kid living in a mud hut somewhere in the middle of Rwanda.I dont know,i cant even imagine that being a possibility.It has been argued elsewhere,that the theory cannot be true,ever.With the difference in countries,races,social classes etc,it is impossible for that theory to stand as a proof of the universal relation between all mankind.True,but i guess in a way we all want to think that that's actually possible,that i might be in some crazy ass way related to that boy in Rwanda.

I kind of think of this concept is similar to that of a religion.Let's face it,we can never prove the existence of any kind of God in this world.As much as how the religions try to promote love and peace for everything in this world,it is undeniable that we cannot prove the existence of God.Of course,you can always argue that a physical evidence is besides the point with the existence of faith,but wouldnt it be easier to believe something if there is some sort of evidence?

Similarly,i dont think we are able to prove if six degrees of separation is true.We dont have the nominal roll of the world's population,not to mention the relationship between every one of them.But like religion,it is the thought of it that counts.Sometimes,i dont think people need a sold evidence,any physical proof to believe in something.Like love,you dont need a reason sometimes,to love somebody,to like something.You follow your feelings,your emotions,because what these parts of you lead to is ultimately,good.

I guess it is the comfort it gives us,to know that the world is not so big after all.People are never drifting too far away from us,always six people away.Because in this fleeting world,i think us as humans are like a pack of wolves,or lions,or any wild animal out there on Discovery Channel that travel in packs.We cant live alone for too long,and i truly believe that we will sooner or later die from insanity if that was to happen.It comforts us,to know that no matter how cold a city is,how unfriendly people are with one another,we will always be only this far away from one another,six person at the most.Always within reach,within our grasp.Like the presence of God,it's comforting to know that no matter how screwed up your life is,somebody out there is watching over you no matter what.

Personally,do i believe in it?Im not even quite sure myself.Six person seems to be an awfully small number.I wonder who came up with that theory in the first place.I mean,if he came up with such a concept then he mustve had some sort of evidence,right?Or perhaps the number six just popped out from nowhere during a conversation with his friends down in some country club,while smoking cigars and having a glass of whiskey with ice.Because six just seemed like a rather unbelievable,but understandable number.Like something that lurks on the edge but never crossing the line.

I'd like to,of course.To believe that i am never too far away.Always around the bend,like so many people say.It's nice to know that we live so far apart from each other.Almost fifteen dollars if i were to take a cab,or the Bukit Timah Hills in the middle of Singapore separating us.I know the distance,i can feel and see it so clear.But to know that you are merely six people away from me,to know that you are only so far away from me,it makes me feel good that perhaps things are not so hopeless after all.

But even so...