The Power of Social Networks

James Fowler, a Professor of Medical Genetics and Political Science at the University of California, discusses the power that social networks hold over present society. Fowler explores the purpose of these networks, examining how they affect us on a short-term and long-term basis.

The speaker stresses that we shape our networks, stating that we have a choice about who we bring into our network and who we connect with our friends. While we shape our networks, they are also shaping us and our lives, allowing us to get into contact with friends and future spouses.

From physical to mental effects, James Fowler examines how a social network contributes to weight gain and mood changes, putting emphasis on the dynamics of social networks and the degrees of separation connecting individuals to one another.