Re:The Challenge of Making Friends as an Adult
by saraid216 on Tuesday July 17, 2012 @04:17PM
(#4257643)
Dunbar's number isn't that simple. It's more like you have an upper limit of 150 person-sized points. You can allocate 50 to one person and only have 100 leftover for more casual acquaintances, for instance.
Dunbar's number refers to group sizes, not friend counts.
Dunbar's number is an upper limit. What's the lower limit?
Re:The Challenge of Making Friends as an Adult
by theorique on Monday July 16, 2012 @07:37PM
(#4253270)
From zero to one is a quantum leap - you go from "alone, no one to talk to" to "can talk honestly and frankly with someone". That's the biggest step. Beyond that, of course it enriches your life, but the first friend is the most important.
About 150: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbars_number
But they don't all have to be real friends. The interesting thing about Dunbar's number is that it also suggests that people strive to make these 150 relationships even when there are not enough people around (i.e. that's why some people care for celebrities and forge online relationships when real life friends are not enough)