Six Degrees
Several years ago the concept six degrees of separation spread through a game involving Kevin Bacon and his movie career. I'm no famous person but I can get to some big names with a few connections. I considered plotting a chart of the names but quickly noticed the famous people were primarily athletes and TV/movie stars. So I decided to challenge myself with a more important connection and where better to start than the President of the United States of America?
Let's try this: I worked one summer for ConnPIRG, a nonprofit group that was inspired by and related to Ralph Nader's work in DC. I'm not sure the degrees that makes but there is some connection. And while Nader routinely writes letters to Obama, I'm not sure the one way communication represents a true connection any more than my blog makes me connected to anyone I reference. I know Michael Moore endorse Nader for President in 2000 and later begged him (literally) to not run for President in 2004, so a definite direct linkage there. Moore writes his own letters to the President but apparently has never personally met him. However, Moore appeared on Oprah and Oprah not only hosted Obama on her show, she held a fundraiser for him in 2007. Obama to Oprah to Michael Moore to Nader to PIRG people to me. How many PIRG people? The entire organization had three levels so there is a good chance I talked to a person who at some point interacted with Nader at some point. Since I'm operating entirely in conjecture at that point, the fact Obama worked for NY PIRG creates other theoretical associations.
Then I remembered Lisa. As an infant she had the chance to pose for a photo with Walter Mondale and screamed in terror instead. Mondale was Vice President under Jimmy Carter, who of course belongs to the same President Club that Obama belongs to now. Obama to Carter to Mondale to Lisa to me.
Another way: Obama welcomed the World Series Champion 2008 Phillies to the White House and present was Brad Lidge. I do not remember Lidge at Notre Dame, but I shared a dorm with a couple of his teammates and his coach taught me a physical education course. That's Obama to Lidge to others to me.
Finally, UNC Business Professor Robert Adler advised Obama on consumer safety in 2009. He's connected to numerous professors I have had and/or will work with. That's Obama to Adler to others to me.
Let's try this: I worked one summer for ConnPIRG, a nonprofit group that was inspired by and related to Ralph Nader's work in DC. I'm not sure the degrees that makes but there is some connection. And while Nader routinely writes letters to Obama, I'm not sure the one way communication represents a true connection any more than my blog makes me connected to anyone I reference. I know Michael Moore endorse Nader for President in 2000 and later begged him (literally) to not run for President in 2004, so a definite direct linkage there. Moore writes his own letters to the President but apparently has never personally met him. However, Moore appeared on Oprah and Oprah not only hosted Obama on her show, she held a fundraiser for him in 2007. Obama to Oprah to Michael Moore to Nader to PIRG people to me. How many PIRG people? The entire organization had three levels so there is a good chance I talked to a person who at some point interacted with Nader at some point. Since I'm operating entirely in conjecture at that point, the fact Obama worked for NY PIRG creates other theoretical associations.
Then I remembered Lisa. As an infant she had the chance to pose for a photo with Walter Mondale and screamed in terror instead. Mondale was Vice President under Jimmy Carter, who of course belongs to the same President Club that Obama belongs to now. Obama to Carter to Mondale to Lisa to me.
Another way: Obama welcomed the World Series Champion 2008 Phillies to the White House and present was Brad Lidge. I do not remember Lidge at Notre Dame, but I shared a dorm with a couple of his teammates and his coach taught me a physical education course. That's Obama to Lidge to others to me.
Finally, UNC Business Professor Robert Adler advised Obama on consumer safety in 2009. He's connected to numerous professors I have had and/or will work with. That's Obama to Adler to others to me.
respond or e-mail this post:
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home