Growing up I often heard the phrase, “the world is a small place”. At that time, the world seemed so large and full of adventure. It seems that it was so large that a person could easily get lost in all the people and places to go and see. After some years of experience, I understand that saying more now than I did in my youth. I have seen this especially true in the realm of affairs. Although many people rationalize their actions by posing the question, “Who is going to know me or see me in Albany? (or fill in the city of your choice)”.
The reality is that oftentimes, people do see others, they talk, they have friends and they have cell phones. Although a city in another county, state or country may seem very far away, the network of who knows who has a surprisingly long reach. The concept of the six degrees of seperation which poses that any one person can connect with another person on earth with a few as six connections. It may be true that no one in Albany knows you, but they may have taken a picture, or they may have a relative in the city. Eventually people talk and begin connecting the dots.
Even the executives and high dollar adulterers who hire services to hide their indescretions find that the connections between people are very close. There is no room for error. Although adulterous persons often view themselves as smarter than others, eventually, the person linking connections often discover those links, even if by accident. I am reminded of this when I visit small towns on book tours and people come up to me that I do not recall meeting and they tell me that they heard me speak or met me in some city several years prior. The world is smaller than people assume. So the next time you think that you are smarter than those around you or that no one will know you in ( fill in the blank), don’t be surprised if someone on facebook or someone’s relative is there and is in connection with someone who does know you.
Best Regards,
Jeffrey Murrah
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