As for your question, today we live in a highly digitalized and automated virtual world where people are communicating more and more without really knowing each other in a physical sense. The declared goal of digitization, transparency, is achieved in many encounters through the electronic documents produced by digitization. Unfortunately, the ideal openness in human interaction is increasingly shrouded in mystery, mistrust, and palpable paranoia.
A basic definition of friend can be found in many dictionaries online. By definition, a friend is someone with whom you have an affection that excludes sexual or familial relationships. Another definition is that a friend is someone who is connected to another person by affection or respect. The terms affection, attachment, lack of hostility, respect or esteem, patron or patron, and affiliation with a group or nation are common to all definitions. It is referred to as “the one who is connected as the destination”.
Similarly, there are other simple definitions of accessible “enemies”. “a person who is aggressive or hostile toward someone or something”; “a person who is hostile to others, especially those who seek to injure, overthrow, or confuse them”; “harmful or deadly” or “military enemy” or “enemy force or force”. Basically, a friend suggests a lack of hostility and an opponent suggests a high degree of hatred.
In the world we live in today, it is only an illusion to see a clear definition when relationships are no longer unconditional or ulterior motives. “Mutual affection or respect or esteem” has come to mean “mutual interest or business or greed”. It only recognizes “interests”. Even visible and physical friends only know what is shared. They are unaware of buried or dormant emotions, impulses, or thoughts. Are you no longer convinced that friendship is accompanied by a lack of animosity?
It’s not hard to identify enemies by their actions, reactions, harassment, verbal abuse, and even physical altercations. However, things get very complicated when trying to distinguish between friends and adversaries. The “interest” syndrome is also unrecognizable in this situation, because of the different “conflicts” that accompany the different “interests”. Mutual interests can quickly turn into mistrust when one party manipulates what appears to be an advantage to the detriment of the other. The decision to proceed with negotiations with a “friend” is now complicated by factors common to both friendship and enmity: Hidden agendas, lobbying, self-interest, manipulation, outright corruption, etc.
Let’s look at some cases to better investigate the problem.
• You and someone you consider to be your best friend start a business. If the trade is successful and profitable, your “friend” is trying to kick you out.
• At home and at work, the tendency to recognize a job well done can often turn a friend into an enemy.
• You are in serious personal danger. There are many friends nearby who are always ready to help and advise you. And only later does he realize that one or more people are trying to perpetuate your dilemma or prevent you from working together to solve the problem.
• Your manager seems to be on your side. But as soon as you leave his or her office, something registers against you and you don’t know until it’s too late.
• Your companion is your friend as long as he rants about your chosen “enemy”, but when you start praising him, he becomes your enemy.
• It can be frustrating when you do a good job and your friends don’t react the way you want them to. The real world or the virtual world, in this world you can’t be sure. Your friend may be acting indifferently for other competing interests.
• Although some definitions omit blood or family ties from the list of “friends,” the ambiguity of “friend or foe” applies equally effectively to modern families .
To get out of this situation, you should always follow your intuition and consider both friends and foes while analyzing your actions, reactions, comments or their absence. A true enemy can sometimes be your greatest ally. If you are optimistic and cheerful, all will be well. Give everyone a second chance, whether you’re an ally or an enemy.
Chinmay Chakravarty is a creative industry professional with over 20 years of experience in journalism, media coordination, screenwriting, dubbing, film and video production, managing international film festivals, and editing books and magazines. He is qualified to provide these related professional services. He is co-director of PIB in Kolkata, India. In 2017, he published his debut book, Laugh and Let Laugh.
