The human brain is the most complex structure we know of, but does it follow that human social networks are the most complex thing in the (known) universe? See what you think after this fascinating online seminar with Professor Robin Dunbar (he of Dunbar's Number) and Professor Lucy Bowes, presented by Sir David Clary.
It's a topical subject given the current reluctance to make physical contact with others. How does that affect our friendships? Does distance make the heart grow fonder? Among the ways we bond with others, Profs Dunbar and Bowes discuss grooming, singing (one hour's worth makes lifelong friends, apparently), feasting, dancing, laughter and emotional storytelling. The last of those is exactly what we're experiencing when we play an RPG, which could account for how important those Discord and Zoom game sessions have been over the last few months.
Oh, and if you hang around till the end you'll see why it's relevant to this blog. No peeking!
Aw c’mon. Can’t u at least give a rough time stamp for the bit we should hang around for? Admission I cheated already and distractedly watched the last few minutes and didn’t hear anything of particular note...
ReplyDeleteYou're not the only one to ask me what the hell this post is here for, Nigel. Oh well.,, My only defence is that it interested me -- but rest assured, normal roleplaying/fantasy stuff will resume next Friday!
DeleteSorry Dave that wasn’t a criticism. Just a sad indictment on constantly feeling time poor and ruthlessly triaging any significant blocks of time I find myself having...
ReplyDeleteThat's OK. Can't please all of the people all of the time. I did just send a much shorter video to my wife and I heard her chortling in the other room, so maybe this will make up for the hour of seminar :-)
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obnblNruPiU
Hehe. Yes all is right in the world...
ReplyDelete