Topic

Living

A collection of 53 issues

The Heart of the World is Broken : A Reflection on Fractured Wholeness

As I sit with this thought — that the heart of the world is broken — I wonder if such a statement is too grandiose, too metaphorical, or too visceral to grapple with. And yet, the more I contemplate it, the more I feel its undeniable truth. Is it not evident in

Living, a Multi-Dimensional Payoff Function

In navigating the contours of existence, I have often questioned the reductionist paradigms that frame life as a sequence of linear decisions aimed at singular, deterministic outcomes. Rather, I have come to perceive life as a multi-dimensional payoff function — a philosophical metaphor capturing the complex interplay of values, desires, and

Essence of Humanity : The Foundational Needs of Time, Affection, and Respect

In 2007, my father, with quiet wisdom, shared a simple yet profound truth (which I realized much later) : life’s essence revolves around time, affection, and respect. He explained me : how being mindful of these three would guide me through every challenge, help me cultivate a life of dignity and

The Valley Beyond : Liquid Reflections

In a realm beyond the tangible, nestled between the breaths of sighs and the pauses of heartbeats, there existed a mystical place known as the Valley of Whispers. It was here, in this ethereal sanctuary, that the Tears gathered — a congregation of liquid emotions, each one a crystalline embodiment of

Breath of Release : The Final Exhale

It’s strange how the final breath feels both foreign and familiar, like an old friend I’ve avoided but always knew would come. The air is thinner now, each inhale a negotiation with time, and with every exhale, I feel the world loosening its grip. Or is it me

Asymmetry in Value Creation and Nihilism : A Philosophical Intersection (part 2)

Nihilism, particularly in its existential form, is the belief that life lacks inherent meaning, purpose, or value. This worldview emphasizes that the structures and beliefs humans create to make sense of the world — moral systems, societal hierarchies, or personal achievements — are ultimately meaningless in the face of an indifferent universe.

Value Creation is Not Symmetric : Life, Relationships, and Organizations

Humans are inherently driven to seek value, create meaning, and leave a lasting impact. This urge to create value is deeply embedded in our psychology, touching on our need for survival, social connection, identity, purpose, and legacy. Value creation — the process of generating meaningful outcomes, benefits, or impact — is often

Mud-Slinging : The Theater of Evasion – What Compels Us to Assign Blame Faster Than Solutions?

Blame is an ancient ritual, an instinctive response we turn to when tensions rise or when things go wrong. In the face of crises or conflicts, we tend to sling mud and point fingers rather than rolling up our sleeves to search for solutions. The speed with which we assign

Why Realistic Pessimism is a Gift in a Delusional World of Optimism?

It’s strange to live in a world where optimism is marketed as the only viable option for a meaningful life. “Stay positive!” they say, wielding optimism as a panacea for all things bleak. But does relentless optimism make us any less exposed to life’s absurdities? If anything, optimism

The Hallucinations of GenAI : A Reflection on Reality, Perception, and the Mirage of Intelligence

It has often struck me, that in our quest to create machines that think, we may inadvertently be birthing ones that hallucinate. Hallucination, a term that conjures images of altered perceptions and fractured realities, is often whispered with caution in the realms of GenAI. What is it about this phenomenon