You’ve probably heard of the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game — that pop culture classic where people try to link any actor to Kevin Bacon in six steps or fewer. It’s a goofy but strangely compelling way to explore how interconnected we all are, especially in the entertainment world.

But what if we took that same idea… and replaced Kevin Bacon with, well, me?

Welcome to Six Degrees of Me — a personal remix of the original concept, rooted in the belief that we’re all closer than we think.

So, what is it?

The premise is simple: Anyone on Earth can be connected to me through six or fewer social connections. Maybe you know me personally. Maybe you know someone who’s worked with me. Maybe your cousin's college roommate once shared a cab with me at 2 a.m. in Adams Morgan. Maybe we both stood in line for empanadas at a Columbia Heights block party and didn’t even realize it.

The “game” isn’t really about me, though — it’s about how weirdly intertwined our lives are. It’s about tracing the invisible web that links strangers and friends, cities and stories, everyday interactions and once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Why Me?

Nowadays, every person is the center of their own universe. “Main character” is an ever pervasive, and wildly pernicious, topic displayed on social media posts across all platforms. For this edition of The BBB, I will use myself as an example to get things started.

In my case, I spent over a decade working as a freelance photojournalist in Washington, DC. I’ve chased breaking news, documented protests, city council hearings, quiet moments, and chaos. I’ve crossed paths with senators, activists, organizers, baristas, and everyday people whose stories deserved to be seen.

I’ve walked the streets of every quadrant, from Anacostia to Georgetown, camera in hand — and chances are, if you lived or worked in DC during those years, we might already be one or two degrees apart.

How to Play

Start by asking yourself:

How many steps would it take for someone to reach me (Beth Of The Beltway)?

1st Degree: You know me personally.

2nd Degree: You know someone who knows me.

3rd Degree: You know someone who knows someone who knows me.

And so on… You can get creative with it too:

“My friend was in a photo you shot during the Women’s March.”

“My coworker used to run comms for a nonprofit you covered.”

“You once liked my Instagram post about go-go music at Howard Theatre.”

Whether it’s fact, fiction, or somewhere in between, it’s all about tracing the lines and marveling at the connections.

Why This Matters

In a city like DC — where power and protest live side by side — it’s easy to think of people as passing shadows in the crowd. But the truth is, we’re all part of something more intricately woven. You never know who might be connected to whom… or how.

It’s a reminder that community isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, it’s just a chain of small, human moments that bind us tighter than we realize.

So tell me:

How many degrees are you from Beth Of The Beltway?