Venn diagrams or set diagrams are diagrams that show all possible logical relations between a finite collection of sets (aggregation of things). Venn diagrams were conceived around 1880 by John Venn. They are used to teach elementary set theory, as well as illustrate simple set relationships in probability, logic, statistics, linguistics and computer science (see logical connectives).

The framework of Venn Diagrams apply to your personal social circles as well. This is one area where Google+ (Google’s new Social Network) got it right and Facebook got it wrong. Facebook allowed you to make everyone a “Friend,” incorrectly assuming that you wanted to share everything with everyone. Google+, on the other hand, allowed you to put different friends in different “circles.” Using the concept of Google Circles, Google+ created a competitive edge by providing a social network that more closely mimics real life. The friend circles in Google+ is literally a living Venn Diagram that you can control and change as you wish— just like you do in real life.


Although we subconsciously do it, the way we divide and categorize our social connections is literally a Venn diagram. We have co-workers who we treat differently from friends. We have close friends who we treat differently from casual acquaintances. We have casual friends who we treat differently from someone we never met. We all do this, even if we don’t intend to. What differs from person to person, however, is how guarded we are when interacting with the various circles. For example, a person who likes to “share all of their business,” is far less guarded than the person who says little more than “Hi” to someone they are just meeting.

Many people struggle with identity. That struggle originates in reaching that common ground across all social circles. The way you deal with that is by giving a close examination of how you want to be known throughout the community. You should consider what image or personality traits you wish to convey. This should be done deliberately. One way this can be achieved is by having an elevator speech, which is basically 3-4 sentences that you can readily recite about yourself when making small talk with someone upon first meeting them. You should examine what you would like to be known for. You should also consider what you have done for others. Pick out the last 3 selfless acts that you have done for someone else, and you will get some indication of how others value you. If it takes you a while to think of something, you need to work on that.

Lastly, are you consistent? Although people rightfully act different between different circles, the variances should not be totally opposite. That is, you should not be quoting Bible verses around one set of friends, but then doing drugs around another. This will eventually dilute your value throughout your whole set of connections because it will eventually catch up with you. In other words you must be consistent. It is okay to be more or less casual, depending on who you are dealing with, but refrain from crossing the line of being fake. In other words, “Know Thyself” and remain true to thy self.

We must always be conscious of our Life’s Venn Diagram of Social Connections and act accordingly.