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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n
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The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n
Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead more<\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nH<\/span>elen Coffey\u2019s exploration of Dunbar\u2019s Number \u2013 the idea that humans can only maintain around 150 meaningful friendships \u2013 struck a chord with Independent<\/em> readers.<\/p>\nCoffey\u2019s piece sparked thoughtful reflections on how friendship can change with age and circumstance. Many agreed that social media inflates the appearance of connection, and that true friendship is about quality, not quantity. <\/p>\n
Several readers dismissed the idea of having 150 friends as \u201cnonsense\u201d or a \u201cnightmarish full-time job\u201d, saying that beyond a handful of close companions, most people are merely acquaintances.<\/p>\n
Others spoke about the natural ebb of social ties over time. One reader described how moving to a new area made it \u201cincredibly difficult\u201d to form friendships, while another reflected on the loneliness that can creep in as people age.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you had to say:<\/p>\n
People have many friends, but the numbers decrease every decade<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nWhen you are young and live with your parents, people have many friends, but the numbers decrease with every decade. <\/p>\n
I know people who live without any friends. I also see people talking outside the house with others, and nobody says \u201ccome in for a cup of tea or coffee.\u201d Once, I went shopping and saw two neighbours standing outside and chatting. When I came back after nearly an hour, they were still there. I said jokingly, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go inside and chat over a cup of coffee?\u201d They pretended they did not understand my language. <\/p>\n
Once, I met two people having coffee in a coffee house and I talked to them. They said they had known each other for 20 years. A few days later, I met one guy alone. I said, \u201cWhere\u2019s your friend?\u201d He said, \u201cHe\u2019s not my friend, I only know him from long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
TotiCalling<\/em><\/p>\n
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