In the study that Milgram created to prove the “small world belief”, he set the requirement for the passing of a message between the first individual to the target individual, that each person must be linked to the next individual by at least a first name basis and that there be no use of “haphazard bases of acquaintanceship” such as an encounter made through summer camp or on an ocean liner. Yet, some individuals appear to rely on these chance encounters to expand their networks and by use of key individual eventually create substantial changes.
The article on Lois Weisberg stresses the expanse of weak ties on interconnecting the world. The hub individual of Lois Weisberg is remarkably connected through around twenty various networks from an actor world to a political world to an environmentalist world to a jazz world and so forth. She herself serves as the bridge into each of these various worlds. However, to infiltrate herself to each of these worlds, she uses chance encounters, like passing by the protest of the removal of a sculpture of Carl von Linne from the park, learning about jewelry of flea market vendors, or hiring a Chinese cook. However, it is through these random, and seemingly weak ties, Lois can employ important individuals, such as the media (i.e. the reporters in the sculpture event) and opinion leaders (Shi Young) to create substantial changes. As a result she is able to aid in the running of Friends of the Park organization, found a second-hand jewelry, and expand Chicago reform politics.
A person who has connections in different network will be used by people based in one network to bridge into another network. Thus, knowing you are involved with two groups, people will see you as a gatekeeper and ask that you serve as a liaison for a specific purpose, such as the environmentalist community needs to employ an artist to design an element of a campaign. Or that you are interested in politics and have a network of Hispanic friends, you may serve as a gatekeeper to bridge interests between racial groups. Because of having connected with an individual in a change encounter in the line of life, you may be able to unite various worlds together. Thus, the importance of having a chance meeting on an ocean liner is that you must utilize the encounter to develop at least a weak relationship, which can ultimately tie you to important opportunities or movements.