Some time back , I got into a heated discussion with my old train-mate (some 18 years my junior in age, who looks up to me as a senior ) and didn’t seem to agree on what’s the way forward on a thorny issue but he started getting agitated and lambasted me for my shallow knowledge of our history. We did meet again but now our conversations are more formal & guarded.
With some highly educated folks, discussions turn into a fiery debates and a slug-fest, egos clash and everyone wants to have the last word, like it often happens on primetime news channels daily ! In all this, feathers are ruffled and the soothing balm of old friendship is roughed up, all because we might have our ideological and political leanings, own ideas or think otherwise !
Here’s a great example for us to emulate – the iconic Narayana Murthy (of Infosys fame) once talked about his friend (and old business competitor ) the amazing Azim Premji (Wipro) with fondness when he says that on some important issues (like whether tax exemption on exports should continue) they have agreed to disagree as they hold each other in great esteem.
It is always likely in common groups of today’s netizens to have people with varying ‘knowledge’ levels and general interests in keeping with their own experiences and exposure to different facets of life but after a stage, there is maturity in having some understanding of ‘good’, ‘bad’ and the ‘ugly’ and one can discern them. To me, the human angle in life stories are inspiring !
Also, there are ‘horses for courses’ and not everyone can claim expertise on all matters. Our education, work experience or financial background cannot make us act ‘superior’ but some feel they can dole out advice on everything under the sun- international diplomacy, economy, stock markets, inflation, GST, PSUs, censorship, sports & how to win gold medals in next Olympics !
That’s why it’s now increasingly difficult to even talk to old friends about say prices of eatables, poor rail services and soaring airfares because it can start a stormy exchange if one’s defending those running the entire show. Not for nothing do the English prefer to studiously talk about the weather & we sidestep acrimonious political issues and indulge in fandom of cricket & films. But wait, see the reactions to Netflix film ‘IC814 Hijack’. We told you!
Working on Living 