It seems like the article is talking about close, meaningful friendships as though they're the only kind[1]. But you'd be lucky to have a handful of such friend

It seems like the article is talking about close, meaningful friendships as though they're the only kind[1]. But you'd be lucky to have a handful of such friendships over a lifetime. Most friendships will be based on mutual-advantage or simple pleasure. (Nothing wrong with that, and they shouldn't be dismissed.) All the subjects in the article are very concerned with what they need, what they want. I think it's telling that they don't voice concern over whether they might be capable of being such a friend to someone else. --- [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philia