The Strength of Weak Ties (paper)

"The Strength of Weak Ties" is a concept from sociology by Mark Granovetter, which suggests that weak social connections—acquaintances rather than close friends—are surprisingly valuable. These weak ties link different social groups, providing access to new information, job opportunities, and diverse perspectives that strong ties within a close circle might not offer. While close friends are important for support, weak ties serve as bridges across different networks, making them crucial for social mobility and innovation. Essentially, our broad, seemingly less-close connections can open doors we might not reach through strong, familiar relationships alone.