When money interferes in a relationship, it changes the dynamic. Social norms and market rules come into conflict. For example, imagine a couple on a date, and when the man takes the woman home, he says, “I spent $100 on you today.” Suddenly, a romantic relationship shifts into a market transaction. Messages like “Next time, it’s your turn to pay” and “I did this for you today” appear. The benefits of social norms differ from those of market rules. Both are necessary, but the relationship is affected by when, how, and to whom they are applied. A person who fails to strike a balance between these two aspects risks damaging relationships and harming communities. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
British anthropologist Robin Dunbar was certain that primate cerebral neocortical capacity determines the number of social relations. He definitively established the limit of human relationships at 100 to 230 people. The average value of 150 people is known as Dunbar's number. In the world of chimpanzees, 30 is the absolute maximum. However, fewer than 12 people in the world can sympathize with me. My best friend is now reduced to 3 or 4. The relationship quantity decreases to the square root value and increases to the square value. Three or four of my best friends will eventually connect with people from all over the world. This is the same principle as when one or two virus-infected people infect the world. Focus on your best friend. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”