People say "you don't need friends" these days

I see quite a few famous people saying things like that and getting a lot of likes...
Personally, even if you don't have friends, I believe that having a professional network is at least important.
I've been working an office job for 20 years, and the more time passes, the more I feel it.
I feel it constantly.
There are many times when I receive help.
And the fact that you can "cross-check" whether what you've done is right or wrong and get feedback... even if the other person is wrong, you usually end up picking up one or two useful points from them..
I have countless examples, but here are a few I remember:
- My computer broke down and the IT team insisted on formatting it (which is quite a hassle), but I managed to get it fixed without formatting through an employee I know.
- I almost got ripped off on an interior design contract, but after asking around, I narrowly managed to cancel it and save money.
- I got my car repaired without spending a fortune.
- I was unfairly hit with an illegal parking fine, but through an employee whose husband is a civil servant, I found the optimal way to resolve it (not by "pulling strings," but by finding the best way to file an objection).
And so on..
Also, since I work in a female-dominated company, it might just be a characteristic of women, but...
It's very common to find people who are warm and kind if you're close, but cold if you don't have a relationship with them.
Of course, I've also seen cases where networking backfired or became a hindrance... (for example, when someone tried to ask a high-ranking official for help regarding a district office permit and it only made things more complicated).
Anyway, I believe having a network is important.