If you had to sum up your life philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?
The content explores the complexities of human relationships, individual philosophies, and technology’s detrimental impact on personal interactions, with a particular focus on family dynamics. It reflects on a person’s calm demeanour amid life’s hardships, acknowledging their flaws while facing others’ judgment. The narrative critiques self-centered behaviors and the negative shift in familial bonds, emphasising that relationships should be built on empathy and understanding rather than ego. It warns against relying solely on machine-driven decisions to address human problems and calls for dispassionate conversation to navigate personal conflicts, highlighting the need for balancing individual needs and maintaining respect within relationships.
Views formed
He was a calm and composed person. Despite the odds, lack of money, unemployment, and difficulties, he did not lose his calm. He never claimed to be an ideal person, nor did he deny abuse or curses. Considering himself a human being, he had committed mistakes, faults and good work, but people judged him the way they liked. Often, he ignored it, but sometimes it affected him.
Feeling frustrated and dejected by the twists and turns, he didn’t abandon his emotional sensitivity, and he kept believing in people. Despite differences and even heated arguments, none termed him toxic. Nonetheless, in senescence, he is forced to believe otherwise. His thought process and the philosophy of fake optimism are vapourising.
After wading through thick and thin of life, spending, nay, wasting time, he now feels cheated. He is often pushed to a corner and then judged for his inadvertent mistake by the people supposed to be close. To authenticate their actions, people use machine-based artificial intelligence, which works on the information provided by its user. They provide lopsided half-truths and seek advice from the machine based on that. The result is obvious.
Judging persons
The philosophy of anyone’s life is the essence of their experiences, sufferings, pain, moments of joy and happiness. People’s perceptions vary, and so does their behaviour. People judge according to whims and fantasy just because they don’t agree with others. Easily omitting their own behaviour, they try to create a narrative, play victim card and ultimately corner the other person to the extent that one can easily become gullible by demeaning them.
Ego clash: Egocentric tendency
Humans arrive on this planet after billions of years of experimentation by Nature. With highly developed brains, humans were to follow the principle of live and let live, but it was not to be.
They developed new habits and easily searched for anyone they could put onus on. Phrases like jungle rule or animal instinct coined to give a boost to the egocentric human tendency of thinking of mute animals and other natural components as lesser mortals, much below humans. It shows in the day-to-day life of humans. A terrified and cornered dog, trying to ward off danger, may harm others and bark. Likewise, a simple and genuinely honest person is pushed into a corner. It is to satiate the whimsical and atrocious behaviour of the pushing and bullying person; at times it is nauseating. People tend to stick to their obdurate and irrational behaviour pretending it to be correct and ideal.
As humans progress, the negative forces are rearing their heads. Instead of amicably solving their problem, they endeavour to defend themselves and start a ruckus. They begin heated arguments without considering others’ views and playing the blame game.
Family dynamics and Machine-driven decision
The increased technological advancement has made machines important and vital. Humans invented machines to help ease their tasks, not to rule. Dealing with human problems, empathy, compassion, and mutual understanding at a human level is essential. A careful consideration of every aspect and listening to the affected party is essential before reaching a universally acceptable decision. Machine-driven decisions, based on provided concocted facts with an agenda in mind without considering others’ points of view, are bound to be skewed, lopsided and harmful. Using machines and tools like artificial intelligence needs care and caution.
Family dynamics and relationship
In family relationships, this becomes all the more important and vital. A machine-driven solution can’t serve the purpose, as it solely acts on the information provided, which is obviously only one aspect. Relationships are never one-sided. Mutual understanding and a willingness to give proper space to each other are the basis of a sound relationship. Complications sort out by giving a proper and patient hearing, not by blaming others. The formula that everything is your fault is toxic and never works; not even in human-animal relations, what to say of humans. In family dynamics, it is also the core concept. Family is not only a collection of people living together through nuptial or filial bonds but much more. It has sound footing, love and affection. (Thoughts and Reality)
Waning bonds
Family dynamics are changing and the bond is waning fast. The supposed sacrosanct nuptial relationship is fast transforming into an abusive and quarrelsome den. The family system has utterly failed, except for a few exceptions, because of gender-biased opinions in married relationships. For an older person, it is painful when they face such acrimonious verbal fights and abuse.
Ego clashes
Live and let live is becoming a rosy slogan. Wiping out the line of dignity that used to be the linchpin of relationships is consternating. The reasons are many, but the prominent one is ego clashes for no reason. In changing family dynamics where both are earning, it is attaining big size. Undoubtedly, women are equal partners, but imposition of will and showing dominance is utterly wrong. Instigation is not desirable, but that is the trick people use to provoke. Using abusive language is not good, and one must not use it, but on the same token, undue and unreasonable commotion is not a good thing either. Healthy relationship is where peace and amiability prevail.
Panglossian attitude
Holding the hands of optimism is a good practice, but an obdurate Panglossian attitude is harmful. People often do not want to involve in unnecessary conflict, but something needs to be done when it becomes heavy like a log. Continuing or ending the relationship is the only option left. People are difficult to please, and once they form an opinion, they try to drag out their behaviour ad nauseam. They never let it go and drag the differences to a breaking point.
Equality and subordination are two different things. Subordination, though not always good, is a reality. There should be some demarcating lines and differences in position for the smooth functioning of society and family. It was the hierarchy in matriarchal society or patriarchal society.
Whereas an ailing partner should have some measure of liberty, it cannot go on for long. A partner ailing with a compulsive disorder, for example, deserves respect and sympathy, but simultaneously, the inconvenience and pain of the other partner facing the brunt must also be kept in consideration. The ailing partners are not privileged ones, nor out of control; they can apply prudence before thrusting their will on others. They shouldn’t expect restraint behaviour forever.
Dispassionate conversation
To some, it may sound like circumvention of things, but a dispassionate cogitation would reveal things differently. On the other hand, a few might see it through the tainted glasses of gender bias. It is taboo to talk about it, but a dispassionate conversation on changing family dynamics is essential. Where one gender is facing discrimination and atrocity, the other gender is also feeling the brunt. Equal treatment for everyone is essential. No one should be treated differently. It is easy to judge, but no one other than those close to the fire can feel the heat. Therefore, it should be dealt with seriously, without having a biased opinion or mindset. Dealing with such a situation is not a mere eyewash.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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