Faster Answer Finding in Three Degrees of Separation World?

Interesting article on Techcrunch about "Six Degrees of Separation Is Now Three". And, as we all know and experience, "email and mobile phones were the key factors in reducing the degrees of separation."
What I was wondering though is: are we actually also finding answers more quickly than in the 'six degree world'? Is there any research on this topic? Because, if it's true that our separation is diminishing and we are more connected than ever, this should also have some great advantages, right? Or is it just leading to more information (overload)?
I think this trend could have really nice consequences. Wouldn't it be nice if you were walking around alone somewhere in a city and you would like to talk to someone on subject x, that your mobile would tell you that such a person is nearby?
What (dis)advantages do you see?

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