Christian Stegbauer 
Super Weak Ties [PDF ebook] 
What Culturally Holds our Society Together

In this book, it is explained how we learn from each other and how people adapt their behavior to one another. We orient ourselves to others by observing how they behave in specific situations.

The analysis of relationships is actually the domain of network research, which has traditionally focused on strong and weak ties. However, this book explores super weak ties, which are often not consciously perceived, as their significance unfolds behind the backs of us all. Although one can hardly speak of relationships in the traditional sense, these super weak ties are often just as influential as stronger ones.
The orienting effect is particularly pronounced when there are similarities in interests and situations between observers and those being observed. Without transmissions facilitated by super weak ties, it would be challenging to arrive at cultural commonalities in society.

Table of Content

Why super weak ties?.- The human being in the web of ties.- Components of the effect of super weak ties- Super weak ties: The traffic light and the opera.- The leaning tower of Pisa.- How super weak ties affect fashion.- Conclusion: What makes super weak ties so important.

About the author

Prof. Dr. Christian Stegbauer teaches sociology and network research at Goethe University Frankfurt.