The New York Times published an interactive map that shows how important distance is in determining connections on social media.

New research published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives examines microdata from Facebook to ask questions about what social networks reveal about social connectedness between individuals and across regions.
Emily Badger and Quoctrong Bui share the news of the study, noting its findings about the importance of geographic distance in determining social connectedness.
"America is often described as a place of great divides — between red and blue, big cities and rural towns, the coasts and the heartland," they write. "But our social lives are shaped by a much stronger force that ignores many of these lines: distance."
The real fun of this article is found in an interactive map that illustrates the likelihood that people living in each U.S. county will have a Facebook friendship in any other part of the country. The article offers insight into some of the trends visible in the map.
FULL STORY: How Connected Is Your Community to Everywhere Else in America?

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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