Ideas worth spreading

How social networks predict epidemics

721,675 views | Nicholas Christakis • TED@Cannes

After mapping humans' intricate social networks, Nicholas Christakis and colleague James Fowler began investigating how this information could better our lives. Now, he reveals his hot-off-the-press findings: These networks can be used to detect epidemics earlier than ever, from the spread of innovative ideas to risky behaviors to viruses (like H1N1).

After mapping humans' intricate social networks, Nicholas Christakis and colleague James Fowler began investigating how this information could better our lives. Now, he reveals his hot-off-the-press findings: These networks can be used to detect epidemics earlier than ever, from the spread of innovative ideas to risky behaviors to viruses (like H1N1).

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Nicholas Christakis

Nicholas Christakis

Physician, social scientist

See speaker profile

Nicholas Christakis explores how the large-scale, face-to-face social networks in which we are embedded affect our lives, and what we can do to take advantage of this fact.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.