The decline of friendship and the rise of 'acquaintanceship'

Whatever Friendship might be, its postmodern replacement, 'Acquaintanceship', is mutual pleasure-seeking. The bonds of affection go no further than this. Friendship, of course, doesn't even base itself on mutual agreement. Where friends compromise with one another, acquaintances are based on agreement on the most superficial things (favourite film, songs, beer, clothing label, etc) because mutual acquaintanceship would be compromised and doubtless dissolved if core values (spiritual, political, ideological) were ever discussed. The advantage in this is that it frees people from the obligations of friendship. The disadvantage is that it frees people from the responsibilities of friendship.