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The Big Idea

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A big idea that shapes how we understand our place in the world - from the idea’s creator.

What are the big ideas shaping our world?  This new series from the BBC World Service picks the best ideas from economics to psychology, neuroscience to philosophy, political science to anthropology, and makes them easy to digest.

Each episode of "The Big Idea" outlines the important idea through the words of the person who’s developed the theory. In just nine minutes we offer a weekly chance to listen and feel just a little bit wiser.

The Big Idea: Friends

Friends

19/05/2018 GMT

BBC World Service - The Big Idea, Friends

Is there a limit to the number of friends we can have?

Is there a limit to the number of friends we can have? Anthropologist Robin Dunbar says there is.  It’s become known as Dunbar’s number

A great advantage of the internet and social media is that they allow us to keep in touch with all our friends, even when they move away.  That means our group of friends can carry on expanding indefinitely.  Except, says anthropologist Robin Dunbar, it can’t.  There’s a limit to the number of friends we can have.  It is known as Dunbar’s number.   

Presented by David Edmonds

(Image: Group of friends, Credit: Shutterstock)

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