Small Worlds (Book)

"Small Worlds" by Duncan J. Watts explores how social networks and various interconnected systems exhibit the "small-world" phenomenon—where most people or nodes are connected by surprisingly short paths, despite their vast size. The book examines how such networks balance high local clustering with short global distances, enabling efficient communication and spread of information. Watts analyzes these properties across social, biological, and technological networks, revealing insights into how complex systems function and adapt. Ultimately, it explains how small-world structures facilitate rapid connectivity and influence, shaping many aspects of modern life.