SIX DEGREES OF FREEDOM

THE GAZETTE (2008) 8/4

PAGE ONE.

It started in Omaha years ago when social psychologist tried to track how many people have a general contact with others. The contact could be nominal or very comprehensive. What did matter is that the person could remember the name of the contact. The researchers found that within 6 contacts, there was someone you knew. A movie was made about it and another movie used the research in the title. However, the evidence was still pretty thin.

Then, 2 researchers presented a new secondary analysis of the USA and the world. There were 180 billion in the count. The results were extraordinary. The six degrees of freedom was 6 and a fraction in this study. So what? Well, we now get into marketing, political policy, campaigning, and any other business and social strategies where your name is

useful.

U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT (2008) 8/11

Tolson/ 32-34

About 3 million American since the turn of the century are out migrating to other countries. That is three million a year. They are going for better opportunities. They feel that their money is in peril and they fear for the economic stability of the USA. Further, they like the life style and cultures of other European countries and Mexico/ Canada.

This quiet exodus also suggests that more affluent Americans and seniors believe that

they are more welcome in these counties in spite of the unpopularity of George Bush.

Other countries believe Americans are hard workers..

WEB DICTIONARY

TRACKING POLL

There are three polls that try to assess the movement of a candidate over a period of time.

They are a panel, longitudinal, and tracking. Panel is composed of people who will remain in the sample for a considerable amount of time. Every few days they will be asked which candidate that they favor. A longitudinal poll asks the same question in the same way so that each new sample is exposed to the same criteria and a certain subject. The subject always remains the same. The third is the tracking poll and in this there

 is a rotation of asking people the same question everyday. However, newcomers replaced those interviewed 3 days earlier. Over time, it can be quite accurate.

Generally, the sample is smaller. However, in the last interview the sample is generally in

the 5,000 person sample and the margin of error are tiny.

TO FAT TO FAIL

ZUCKERMAN/72

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are nick names for large mortgage holding companies.

Essentially, they were mismanaged and unlawful behavior occurred. We have to support them because if they fail, many banks also go under. These companies quickly buy mortgages from banks so that the banks can continue to be liquid. It is essentially bourgeoisie socialism. That is socialism for the rich. If the rich fail especially in our form of capitalism at this time, it becomes a house of cards.