dunbar

Dunbar's number is a theoretical cognitive limit to the number of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships. These are relationships in which an individual knows who each person is, and how each person relates to every other person. Proponents assert that numbers larger than this generally require more restrictive rules, laws, and enforced norms to maintain a stable, cohesive group.

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I am craving a means to my own independence.

My mind is consumed by it.
My impending insanity is driven by it.

gallery afternoon

love these girls.

solitary poverty

Loneliness is a truly terrifying concept. It is a state of being that offers no happiness. It is probably true that most people would rather live a life of poverty than live one of solitary isolation. In fact, Mother Teresa said that the worst type of poverty was actually being lonely, and she was well-experienced with poverty.

Being lonely does not mean the same as being alone. One can be in the middle of a room full of people, yet still be suffering the aching, relentless pain of loneliness. A genuinely lonely person is one who feels unwanted, both by those he loves and society in general. They feel they have nowhere to turn for companionship, guidance or love, so they start a downward spiral into depression, anxiety, and sometimes even death, whether suicide or other causes.

Living a destitute life generally seems more desirable than living a lonely one. As long as we have someone to love, someone to share life's trials and tribulations whith, we can be happy. The Greek philosopher Epicurus' three essential ingredients for a happy life included friendship. He taught that we don't exist unless there is someone who can see us existing, and that what we say has no meaning until someone can understand. Another example is Charles Dickens' short novel, A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge lives a privileged life, but is unloved by his family and friends. He realises his loneliness compared with his near-impoverished clerk Bob Cratchit, who lives a fairly fulfilling life, full of love, laughter and companions, yet void of any monetary comforts.

This brings up an interesting point, as Mr Scrooge was originally lonely by his own choice, and it wasn't for a few years that he became truly 'unwanted' by his relatives. Could loneliness be a consequence of poor choices made earlier in life? Could one push their loved ones away so hard that they eventually give up pushing back? It is quite possible that as hurt and depressed as the lonely person is, perhaps they were the original offender, and it is actually their loved one who s hurthing more.

Despite the origins of the state, loneliness really is the worst pain you could ever feel. Nobody truly deserves to feel the implacable pang of being unwanted, and it is up to us to make a difference in their lives. Whether it is a loved one from the past, or a complete stranger, you can add such wealth to someone's life by offering a hand of companionship, and rescue them from their loneliness; rescue them from their poverty.