CA&S
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Volume 2, Number 2, Winter 2009
The Power of Six Degrees
t one point or another, you’ve probably
heard of “six degrees of separation,” the
theory that, through social relationships,
you’re only six handshakes from anyone on the
face of the earth.
Or, you may have heard of its pop culture
incarnation, “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” a
trivia game in which players attempt to link
any Hollywood actor to Kevin Bacon through
six films (or fewer).
What you may not have heard is that an
exploration of these concepts, which were
once dismissed as trivialities or urban myths,
has led to a new, groundbreaking branch
of science known as “network theory.” By
examining the unexpected ways in which all
things relate to one another – from musical
crickets, to websites, to Hollywood actors –
A
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
scientists are honing in on solutions to some
of the world’s most complex problems.
You may also be surprised to learn that
the epicenter of this research is located
on Northeastern’s campus. Network
theory pioneer Albert-László Barabási, a
Distinguished Professor of Physics in the
College of Arts & Sciences, has emerged as
one of the world’s foremost experts in the
science of networks. Through such innovative
undertakings as a complete mapping of the
World Wide Web, Barabási has discovered
that certain, basic patterns underlie all
connections and relationships.
In his book, Linked: The New Science
of Networks, Barabási writes, “There is
a path between any two neurons in our
brain, between any two companies in the
continued on page 3
1 The Power of Six Degrees
2 Message from the Dean
3 Working Like a CHARM
4 Drawing Beauty from
Ireland’s Coast
5 Around the College
6 Alumni Page
7 Welcome to the
Action Lab
(Above)
Albert-László Barabási
8 Q & A with
Nicholas Daniloff
(Top Left)
Skitter data depicting
a macroscopic snapshot
of Internet connectivity,
with selected backbone
ISPs (Internet Service
Provider) colored separately by K. C. Claffy.
Barabási’s lab at Northeastern, the Center for Complex Network Research.
The Power of Six Degrees
Growth and Topology
of the NLANR Caching
Hierarchy. By Bradley
Huffaker, Jaeyeon Jung,
Duane Wessels
continued from page 1
world, between any two chemicals in our
body. Nothing is excluded from this highly
interconnected web of life.”
Barabási’s work is already famous;
Linked is available in eleven languages, and
his papers aare among the most cited
in the fiel
field. But his research will attain
a new le
level of popular recognition
with tthis February’s U.S. release of
a do
documentary called Connected:
Th
The Power of Six Degrees (also
kn
known around the globe as “How
Kevi
Kevin Bacon Cured Cancer”).
Th
The Connected documentary
investig
investigates
the various mind-blowing
applicatio of network theory in our
applications
liv In the film, Barabási and
everyday lives.
scientis suggest that computer
other scientists
viruses, infectious diseases, proteins in the
cell, and human social groups are all governed
by the same fundamental concepts.
And, through the application of these
discoveries to the military, to technology, and
modern medicine, Barabási has a guiding
hand in research that may help us to control
AIDS, break-up terrorist networks, and yes,
perhaps even cure cancer.
A little mysterious? Yes.
To learn more about Barabási’s research
and Connected: The Power of Six
Degrees, please visit our website at
www.northeastern.edu/cas/barabasi.html
Working Like a CHARM
CA&S launches a new program enabling students
to take unpaid co-ops
A
s many alumni know, the co-op experience
can be life-changing. It provides students
with unique, experiential learning that reaches
far beyond the classroom.
This is especially true for co-op experiences
with nonprofit organizations. In these situations, students are more deeply immersed in
“hands-on” activities, emphasizing the central
role of experience in the learning process.
However, the challenge students often face
in accepting such assignments is the matter of
financial resources. Nonprofit organizations
traditionally have limited funds to pay students
on co-op. In these economically uncertain times,
these monies can be scarce, or even nonexistent.
To enable more students to take advantage
of co-op experiences with nonprofit organiza-
tions, the College of Arts & Sciences has created
CHARM: Co-ops in the Humanities, Arts,
Repertory, and Music.
Specifically, CHARM represents an effort
to raise funds to provide co-op support in these
four areas, which are most severely impacted
by the limited resources of nonprofits.
“Even though nonprofits cannot pay the
students, the experience is extremely valuable,”
said Irene Hammer-McLaughlin, AS’ 94 and
CA&S Advancement Officer. “It’s gone from
work-to-earn to work-to-learn.”
If you are interested in helping to support
a student through CHARM, please contact the
CA&S Advancement Office at 617 373-7475.
A gift of $10,000 funds a co-op position
for six months. However, contributions in all
amounts are being sought. These smaller
gifts will be pooled to offer partial funding to
a student.
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