Arts & Ideas Friendship
Jul 11, 2025
In this intriguing discussion, guests Tiffany Watt Smith, a cultural historian and author, Susie Orbach, a psychoanalyst known for her work on female relationships, philosopher Alexander Douglas, literary expert Stephen Shapiro, and film critic Phuong Le delve into the multifaceted nature of friendship. They explore its historical evolution, the dynamics of female friendships in film, and the tension between individuality and connection. Insights into friendship as a subversive force and its complex interplay with sexuality and societal expectations make for a thought-provoking conversation.
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Activism Sparks Deep Friendship
- Stephen Shapiro shared how he met his best friend Tony during AIDS activism in New York in the 1990s.
- Their friendship blossomed outside social hierarchies through civil disobedience and shared purpose.
Feminism Elevates Female Friendship
- Women's friendships gained visibility and importance especially in the 1970s with second-wave feminism.
- This shift reflected a new value on female bonds beyond traditional roles and shaped contemporary friendship culture.
Friendship Shaped by Class and Institutions
- Friendship as a middle-class construct emerged in the 18th century to foster trust beyond kinship.
- By the 19th century, institutional power lessened friendship's social necessity but opened new possibilities.
