  This paper responds to a commentary by Neal (2024) regarding the
Distinctiveness centrality metrics introduced by Fronzetti Colladon and Naldi
(2020). Distinctiveness centrality offers a novel reinterpretation of degree
centrality, particularly emphasizing the significance of direct connections to
loosely connected peers within (social) networks. This response paper presents
a more comprehensive analysis of the correlation between Distinctiveness and
the Beta and Gamma measures. All five distinctiveness measures are considered,
as well as a more meaningful range of the {\alpha} parameter and different
network topologies, distinguishing between weighted and unweighted networks.
Findings indicate significant variability in correlations, supporting the
viability of Distinctiveness as alternative or complementary metrics within
social network analysis. Moreover, the paper presents computational complexity
analysis and simplified R code for practical implementation. Encouraging
initial findings suggest potential applications in diverse domains, inviting
further exploration and comparative analyses.
