Four Paragraphs to Kevin Bacon

So I've delivered my talk. It wasn't earth-shattering, but it went alright. Maybe I'll type out a rough idea of the text here at some point. That'd be a treat for, maybe, two of you out there and a trudge for the rest of you- but hey, it's my blog and I'll expound if I want to. I shouldn't worry too much though- I've been promising to post all kinds of crazy stuff, haven't I?
Wait, what do you mean, "what talk"? It was my communication skills practical, on "the Public Understanding of Science". Wait, I think I can hear a million little sighs- I think they're saying "trudge"...

I feel slightly caught off-guard by apostrophes today.

I have registered another book with Bookcrossing: remember? For new readers this means, email me, and I'lll give you this book, no strings. The book in question is Tom Holt's novel "Overtime". If you like Terry Pratchett, or enjoyed Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, you'll probably like this one, too.

So, the point of this post.

Kevin Bacon.

You'll be familiar with the idea that Kevin Bacon can be linked with any other actor in as few as seven links. For example, uh, Elijah Wood.

Elijah Wood was in The Faculty (1998) with Susan Willis
Susan Willis was in Mystic River (2003) with Kevin Bacon

You might have realised that to really be good at this name you need an encylopedic knowledge of films, and the ability to compute short paths really quickly. In other words, it helps if you're a computer.

OK, let's make it harder: Michael Palin.

Michael Palin was in Brazil (1985) with Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro was in Sleepers (1996) with Kevin Bacon

You can't beat the Oracle. Though it might take up hours of your time. I personally just spent quite a while trying to find people with a "Bacon Number" above two.

Damn you, Kevin Bacon!

Song in my head: "Bring it On" by Gomez