Connected: The Amazing Power of Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives - Tapa blanda

‘“Connected” succeeds because it articulates a truth about our collective self that has previously been little understood.’ Irish Times

‘What makes us human – for good and bad – is our social nature. Nowhere is this complex, wonderful, and sometimes dark part of us more clearly revealed than in “Connected”. In a social world exploding with new ways to interact, “Connected” is a user’s guide for ourselves in the 21st century.’ Dan Ariely, bestselling author of ‘Predictably Irrational’

‘Christakis and Fowler have written THE book on the exciting new science of social networks. With passion and precision, these two internationally renowned scientists expose the invisible webs that connect each of us to the other, and in so doing cast our lives here together in an astonishing new light. We think we are individuals who control our own fates, but as Christakis and Fowler demonstrate, we are merely cells in the nervous system of a much greater beast. If someone you barely know reads “Connected”, it could change your life forever. How? Read it yourself and find out.’ Daniel Gilbert, bestselling author of ‘Stumbling on Happiness’

Who do you have sex with and why? Is happiness catching? Is wealth contagious? Can your friends make you fat? Why do you bother to vote? Does free will exist?

Your friend’s friend starts smoking, suddenly you find yourself reaching for a cigarette. But how can someone you'll never know make you fatter, happier and have more sex? This brilliantly original exploration of ‘social contagion’ examines the power of social networks to influence our behaviour. We like to think that we are largely in control of our day-to-day lives, yet most of what we do, from what we eat to who we sleep with, and even the way we feel, is significantly influenced by those around us – and those around them, and those around them. Our actions can change the behaviours, the beliefs, and even the basic health of people we've never met.

In their illuminating account of the pervasive and often bizarre qualities of social networks, pre-eminent social scientists Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler explain why obesity is contagious, why the rich get richer, even how we find and choose our partners. Intriguing and entertaining, with revelatory implications for everything from our notion of the individual to ideas about healthcare and social inequality ‘Connected’ will change the way you think about every aspect of your life.