Us en deixo un tast: Now we can see why friendship has become
the characteristically modern relationship. Modernity believes
in equality, and friendships, unlike traditional relationships,
are egalitarian. Modernity believes in individualism.
Friendships serve no public purpose and exist independent of all
other bonds. Modernity believes in choice. Friendships, unlike
blood ties, are elective; indeed, the rise of friendship
coincided with the shift away from arranged marriage. Modernity
believes in self-expression. Friends, because we choose them,
give us back an image of ourselves. Modernity believes in
freedom. Even modern marriage entails contractual obligations,
but friendship involves no fixed commitments. The modern temper
runs toward unrestricted fluidity and flexibility, the endless
play of possibility, and so is perfectly suited to the informal,
improvisational nature of friendship. We can be friends with
whomever we want, however we want, for as long as we want. (With
a little help from my friends,