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  "title": "More friends, more division: Study finds growing social circles may fuel polarization",
  "note": "I’m a big believer in [Dunbar's number](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar%27s_number) and I think it shows up all over the place in society. I particularly think the intersection of social media and the limits suggested by Dunbar's number are something we've ignored to our detriment. \n\nThis article caught my eye in a big way because it is talking about similar concepts — count of friends in certain levels. It suggests that our \"close friends\" number has risen, and that changes dynamics in notable ways.\n\n> Tolerance plays a central role. \"If I have two friends, I do everything I can to keep them--I am very tolerant towards them. But if I have five and things become difficult with one of them, it's easier to end that friendship because I still have 'backups.' I no longer need to be as tolerant,\" explains Thurner.\n\nSuper interesting theory. ",
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