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  • Learning to Sit With Questions Instead of Answers

    I didn’t arrive at philosophy looking for wisdom. I arrived looking for relief. At some point, the usual explanations stopped working—success, routine, productivity, even happiness felt thin when examined too closely. Philosophy didn’t fix that feeling, but it gave it language. And somehow, that helped.

    Most of my days now include moments of quiet thinking that would look unproductive from the outside. Long walks where I replay a single idea. Notes filled with half-formed thoughts rather than conclusions. Philosophy has taught me that clarity doesn’t always come from solving problems, but from learning how to hold them without panic.

    What fascinates me most is how old these questions are. Meaning, identity, suffering, time—people wrestled with them centuries ago without algorithms or notifications. Reading those texts feels like joining a long conversation rather than studying a subject. You realize your confusion isn’t unique. That alone is comforting.

    Philosophy also makes everyday life heavier and lighter at the same time. Heavier, because you notice contradictions everywhere—people chasing freedom through routines, happiness through comparison, certainty through noise. Lighter, because you stop expecting life to be simple. Once you accept ambiguity, disappointment loses some of its power.

    I’ve learned to be suspicious of instant answers. The world loves confidence, especially loud confidence. Philosophy prefers hesitation. It asks you to pause before reacting, to examine why you believe what you believe. That habit spills into everything—relationships, work, even how I argue. I listen more. I assume less.

    There are days when thinking too much feels like a burden. When ignorance seems peaceful. But those moments pass. What stays is the ability to step back from emotion and watch it happen without immediately obeying it. That distance—small but meaningful—has changed how I move through life.

    Philosophy hasn’t made me calmer all the time. It has made me more honest. Honest about uncertainty. Honest about limits. Honest about the fact that meaning isn’t discovered once and kept forever—it’s negotiated daily through choices, attention, and responsibility.

    In a world obsessed with speed and certainty, choosing to think slowly feels almost rebellious. But I’ve come to believe that a life examined imperfectly is still richer than one lived on autopilot. Not because it gives better answers—but because it teaches you how to ask better questions.

  • On the Quiet Moments That Teach Us More Than Books Ever Could

    Lately, I’ve been realizing that most of my philosophical thoughts arrive not when I’m reading thick, intimidating books, but in the quietest, most ordinary moments—like waiting for water to boil or sitting by a window watching strangers walk by. It’s funny how life keeps offering small invitations to think deeper, if we’re willing to notice them.

    This week, the thought that stayed with me was simple: Why do we rush through the very moments we claim to live for? I caught myself scrolling mindlessly, planning the next thing, worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet. And then, suddenly, a small pause—sunlight reflecting off a glass on my table—pulled me back into the present.

    It made me realize something: maybe the meaning we’re all searching for isn’t hidden in some grand revelation or dramatic life event. Maybe it’s tucked into the ordinary, waiting for us to slow down.

    I’ve also been thinking a lot about how we define “progress.” Society tells us it’s all about moving forward—earning more, achieving more, being more. But sometimes, the bravest kind of progress is stopping, questioning, and allowing space for uncertainty. There’s a strange kind of strength in admitting, “I don’t know,” and sitting with that discomfort instead of running from it.

    Another thing I’ve been exploring is the idea of contradictions within ourselves. We want adventure but also security, independence but also connection, freedom but also routine. And instead of forcing a tidy answer, maybe we’re meant to live inside these contradictions—to accept that humans are messy, layered, constantly shifting.

    What I love most about digging into these thoughts is that it makes everyday life feel wider, deeper. A walk becomes a meditation. A conversation becomes a mirror. A problem becomes a teacher.

    If there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s this: philosophy isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about becoming more awake to the world and to yourself. And in a life full of noise, those small awakenings—those tiny sparks of awareness—might be the closest thing we have to clarity.

  • Late-Night Reflections From Someone Who Thinks Too Much

    There’s a special kind of calm that comes after midnight—the world softens, the noise fades, and suddenly your own thoughts become louder than anything around you. That’s usually when I start drifting into these long reflections about life, purpose, and all the tiny moments we overlook during the rush of the day.

    Lately, I’ve been thinking about how most of us spend life searching for answers, when maybe the real magic lies in asking the right questions. Questions like: Why do we expect stability in a world built on change? Or why do we cling to the familiar even when it no longer fits who we’re becoming? These thoughts hit differently when the world is quiet. They make me see my own routine in a new light—how I react, what I fear, and what I choose to ignore.

    One thing I’ve noticed is how drastically perspective shapes everything. A setback at work, a tough conversation, a missed opportunity—they can feel overwhelming in the moment. But if you shift the lens even slightly, these same moments become lessons, catalysts, or reminders to slow down. It’s almost funny how we create half our problems in our own heads.

    What keeps grounding me is the idea that meaning isn’t something waiting to be discovered—it’s something we create. Through the people we love, the habits we nurture, the passions we chase, and the small rituals that keep us sane. Even simple things like writing down thoughts, watching the sunrise, or taking a long walk can make life feel a little more intentional.

    I don’t claim to have life figured out—not even close. But I’ve learned to enjoy the process of questioning, wondering, and paying attention. There’s something beautiful about being curious, about letting your mind wander freely without needing everything to make sense.

    Maybe that’s enough. Maybe understanding life isn’t about mastering it, but noticing the tiny moments that quietly shape who we are becoming.

  • Coffee, Chaos, and the Questions That Never End

    Most people start their mornings with the news or music. I start mine by questioning existence over coffee. Being a philosophy enthusiast doesn’t mean I have answers — it means I’ve learned to be comfortable with never having them.

    It started years ago with a single line from Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That quote hit me harder than I expected. Since then, philosophy has become less of a subject and more of a lens through which I see the world. Every conversation, every silence, every heartbreak — all of it feels like material for reflection.

    I find beauty in contradictions. How can humans crave freedom yet build systems that confine them? Why do we seek truth in a world that thrives on illusion? These aren’t depressing questions — they’re liberating. They remind me that certainty is overrated, and curiosity is sacred.

    Philosophy has also changed how I interact with people. When you realize that everyone carries their own version of truth, you stop arguing to win. You start listening to understand. Even a random chat with a cab driver or barista can turn into a deep dive about fate, love, or time.

    Of course, not everyone gets it. Friends often joke that I “overthink everything.” They’re not wrong. I’ve debated the morality of killing a mosquito and written a page on why humans fear silence. But that’s the charm of it — finding meaning in what others overlook.

    Lately, I’ve been drawn to existentialism — the idea that life has no inherent meaning until we give it one. It’s scary, but it’s also empowering. Because if nothing comes pre-written, then everything is possible.

    Maybe philosophy doesn’t solve life’s mysteries — but it helps me live with them gracefully. And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough.


  • The Beauty of Not Knowing

    I’ve always been drawn to questions that don’t have answers — the kind that keep you up at night, not because they’re troubling, but because they’re infinite. Philosophy, to me, isn’t about sounding deep or quoting old Greeks. It’s about learning to sit with uncertainty and realizing that not knowing is, sometimes, the most honest state of being.

    The world today worships certainty — quick takes, confident opinions, and instant answers. Everyone’s sure of everything. But philosophy taught me that truth often hides in hesitation. It’s in the pause before we respond, the silence before we judge. When Socrates said, “I know that I know nothing,” it wasn’t defeat — it was freedom.

    I remember reading Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus for the first time. The idea that life’s absurdity doesn’t have to crush us, but can actually liberate us, felt oddly comforting. We push our boulders every day — jobs, relationships, responsibilities — and maybe meaning isn’t found at the top of the hill, but in the climb itself. That changed how I saw everything.

    Sometimes, when I walk home late at night, I catch myself looking up at the sky — endless, quiet, indifferent — and I feel small in the best way possible. It’s humbling to realize that the universe doesn’t owe us meaning; we create it through our choices, our kindness, our curiosity.

    Philosophy isn’t just for classrooms or dusty books. It’s in how we forgive someone, how we decide what’s right when no one’s watching, how we make peace with endings. Every ordinary act hides a question: Why do I do this? What matters most? Who am I, really?

    The beauty of philosophy is that it doesn’t demand answers — only honesty. It reminds us that the search itself gives life its depth. Maybe that’s the point: to stay curious, to keep asking, to find wonder in the mystery.

    Because the moment we think we know everything… we stop truly seeing anything at all.

  • The Quiet Power of Not Knowing

    As a philosophy enthusiast, I’ve always found it fascinating how much peace there is in uncertainty. In a world obsessed with answers—quick, certain, and absolute—there’s something deeply liberating about admitting, “I don’t know.” Philosophy, at its core, isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions and staying curious enough to explore them.

    Socrates once said, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” That line hit me harder than any self-help quote ever could. Because in that humility lies growth. When we think we know everything, our mind closes. But when we admit ignorance, we make space for new perspectives, deeper thinking, and genuine learning.

    Take everyday life for example—when someone challenges your belief, the first instinct is defense. But if you pause and ask, “What if they’re right?”, you suddenly shift from ego to exploration. That’s the heart of philosophy. It’s not about being the smartest in the room; it’s about being the most open-minded.

    Philosophy doesn’t just exist in thick books or long debates—it’s in the way you reflect before reacting, question before concluding, and seek meaning beyond what’s visible. Whether it’s ethics, purpose, or the nature of consciousness, philosophy gives us a lens to examine life from angles we usually overlook.

    In a noisy digital age where opinions scream louder than truths, maybe what we need isn’t more knowledge, but more thought. To sit in silence and wonder again. To question why we chase success, what happiness really means, and whether progress always equals improvement.

    So here’s to not knowing. To staying curious. To thinking deeply, even when no one’s watching. Because sometimes, the most profound answers arrive not when we search for them—but when we learn to live comfortably in the mystery.

  • Tied by Tradition: the many faces of marriage around the world

    Around the world, there’s one constant social institution that appears: marriage. Despite language differences, religion, and customs, nearly every society has independently developed some form of formal union between individuals. Marriage is an institution within the community, often sanctioned by religion or law and almost always carrying expectations of commitment, family, and continuity. Why is this idea so widespread?

    At the core of everything, marriage is a social technology; it solves almost all of the key problems of human beings: organizing reproduction, defining kinship, creating alliances, and managing property or inheritance. In many early societies, marriage was not just a personal affair – it was a way to ensure proper social order. The families determined who married whom and how they would be married, and it could transfer the land or legitimacy of children.

    Even with the evolving society, the fundamentals of marriage remained the same. Whether it is a royal wedding in the UK or a village ceremony in Africa, it is never about just the individuals; it is about family, social roles, and traditions.

    Whereas in India, this concept takes another layer of complexity with caste-based marriages, a straightforward derivative of old tribal and clan-based marriage systems. Just like how tribes once maintained cohesion and identity through internal marriage practices, castes in India have taken on that legacy. The ancient social hierarchy caste system has deeply influenced marriage practices for centuries. Many communities still prefer (or insist on) marrying within their caste, preserving cultural identity, lineage, and social standing.

    This tradition has found modern expression through digital platforms. One such example is mudaliyarkannalam.com, a matchmaking website dedicated to the Mudaliyar caste, a prominent Tamil community. These sites reflect how ancient social structures are integrated into tools. Today, marriage is arranged through online profiles and algorithms more than love or understanding.

    When Western societies are increasingly embracing love-based and inter-cultural marriages, caste-based unions remain the norm in various parts of India. They are seen not just as marriages between individuals but between families, values, and shared heritage.

    This contrast highlights a critical point: although the idea of marriage is universal, the way it is practiced is mainly shaped by local and historical values. The need for connection, stability, and continuity ties us together across cultures. But the stories we tell around marriage—who we marry, how we marry, and why—reveal the unique ways each society tries to make sense of love, loyalty, and lineage.

  • The Progress Paradox

    Human progress has been one of the greatest narrations of civilisation, which is always seen from a very linear perspective rather than a nuanced and kind og paradoxical process. From the time we invented wheels to the web, from fire to fusion, we have come a long way and our journey is framed as a steady march forward rather than looking at both sides. We think that with every generation life is going to get much better, easier and more englihthing , but is the sense of progress universal and lasting? Or are we simply shifting from the perception, dependent on context and expectations.

    Let’s imagine a thought experiment for a moment: a caveman named Gar suddenly landed from 50000 years ago into our modern world. His first reaction would be one of awe. He is seeing skyscrapers all around the city that touch the clouds, flying machines, food that appears at the click of a button, light without fire, everything that he has to work so hard for in this world. To him, the world is like a genie fulfilling all his whims within some time; Gar is experiencing years of human ingenuity compressed into a single overwhelming experience.

    But after the wonder wears off, something very interesting happens; he cannot remain in awe forever. He will start to feel irritated and struggle with the modern world’s complexities. He would be confused by the traffic, annoyed by the noise, and frightened by the fast pace of life we have. The comfort of modern living would come with invisible burdens: overstimulation, alienation, pollution, surveillance, and endless rules.

    From where he comes, life is governed by the rhythms of nature, whereas our life is glued to screens, clocks, and economic systems that many of us do not know much about. This raises a deep question about progress: is it inherently good or merely a trade-off?

    Every advance solves old problems but introduces new ones. Antibiotics conquered deadly infections but gave rise to superbugs. Cars revolutionized travel but caused accidents, congestion, and climate change. The internet connected the world but also fueled disinformation, addiction, and division. We progress by eliminating suffering and swapping one set of challenges for another.

    Through Gar’s journey, we see that progress is not a universal ascent; it’s a layered modern adaptation. What feels like progress to one generation might feel like regression to another. Much of what we see as “improvements” are improvements within a particular framework. But outside that framework—outside modern assumptions about speed, convenience, and productivity—those same “advancements” may appear disorienting or even absurd.

    And yet, we don’t stop. We build more, consume more, and invent more. The myth of progress has become part of our identity. We measure civilizations by technological achievement, GDP, and life expectancy, often ignoring mental health, social cohesion, or ecological balance. We assume that newer means better and that innovation is always a virtue.
    But progress without reflection is a treadmill. It moves forward but never pauses to ask: What exactly are we running towards?

    We have rarely stopped to see what progress looks like. It’s not just the technological or physical progress that we should look at, but rather how well we have learned to manage the consequences of our own advancements. Have we built systems that foster human dignity? Have we made life not just longer but more meaningful? Are we happier, more empathetic, and more connected to ourselves and each other? Real growth isn’t just about building better tools—it’s about becoming wise enough to use them in ways that actually make life better.

    In the end, progress isn’t a straight road or a finish line. It’s more like a spiral—sometimes we move forward, sometimes sideways, sometimes we loop back. And just like Gar, each of us must keep figuring out what it truly means to live well, not just in a world that’s constantly changing, but in one that’s getting more complex because of the things we call “progress.”

  • Fake News isn’t new—but our reaction to it should be

    Social media, trending headlines, and fake news have become the center of the modern crisis. With everything going digital and everybody voicing their opinions, we can differentiate between what is the truth and what is a lie somewhere. But this isn’t limited to our era; misinformation and biased reporting have been with us for as long as humans have told stories. What’s new is not the presence of such fake news; it’s the scale and speed at which it spreads.

    Before we even invented the internet, rulers, and leaders used propaganda to control the narratives being told. Much evidence has supported this finding; rulers wanted to shape public opinion in their favor. Ancient Emperors used various coins, statues, and public declarations as a way to get into the minds of the commoners. In medieval Europe, the church controlled the access to knowledge, deciding what information the public should hear; even during the early printing day, pamphlets were often politically slanted, designed to push agendas rather than inform them neutrally.

    In between all of these issues is a single human truth: we cannot unquestioningly trust the news we receive. Every messenger carries their perspective, and no one tells a story from a neutral point of view. You would have seen thousands of pieces of information today, each one coming with its own assumptions, values, and emotions. Most of the time, even with the best intentions, bias seeps in, not just in what is reported but also in how it is reported and presented.

    The modern expectations of objective journalism are very new and still blooming. They emerged during the 20th century as fresh organizations sought credibility in neutrality. But even then, editorial choices, what stories would be covered, which language to use, and what sources to quote were never fully free from influence. Today, with media outlets aligned with political ideologies, the illusion of unbiased news is even harder to maintain.

    The problem isn’t just fake news—it’s that we often believe what we want to think. Studies show people are more likely to trust news that confirms their pre-existing views and dismiss news that challenges them. In this way, our biases reinforce our current information bubbles.
    So what can we do?

    The answer is not about getting perfectly unbiased news, which is highly impossible; instead, it is about approaching news consumption with humility and skepticism. Understanding key questions like who benefits from the narrative, recognize that every story has learning. Fake news may never go away, but if we learn to question the story and the storyteller, we stand a better chance of staying informed in a world where truth is debated daily.

  • The politics of Belonging: why it feels so Personal now

    Politics today doesn’t feel like a discussion anymore; it feels like a fight. It is not a debate over ideas but a battle between “us” and “them.” People aren’t just supporting policies; they’re picking sides, almost like rooting for a team. Everything becomes personal once you’re on a team.

     This sense of picking a team and sticking to them is a lot about tribalism, our deeply rooted human psychology that gets us wired into wanting to belong to a group. Most of our human history, being tribal meant survival and security, loyalty meant safety and corporation, but in today’s world, those same instincts have found a new home; politics. 

    Instead of survival, we now chase identity and a sense of belonging. Being politically “left” or “right” becomes part of who we are. It’s rational, not emotional. And once we are on our side as the goof guys, the other side naturally becomes the enemy. We stop listening and start judging, bias is filled in our minds, and we can’t help but fight against them. People are dismissed not because of their arguments but because of the “team” they’re on.

    As we dig deeper, the issue gets worse. Our brains are so wired to think in a way that means to better ourselves, not others, we begin to filter the world through this lens of left or right. In fact, research shows that we are more likely to believe something if it aligns with our political identity and more likely to reject it if it doesn’t. In this way, tribal loyalty often overrides critical thinking.

    Then there are the effects of social media, which feed us so much of what is already happening and remind us that there is always the other side that needs to be won over. It literally turns politics into a never-ending argument against the true virtue of helping, making winning the only goal, not to understand or be compassionate. 

    If there’s something at stake, it’s the conversation, dialogue and curiosity. Tribal politics make it look like changing your mind is being weak and listening to others’ perspectives is a betrayal of your own. We have built walls where we should be building bridges. 

    But it doesn’t need to be in this way, if we learn to let go of this tribalism, it doesn’t mean that we dont have the values or we are giving up on anything. It means that we are ready to embrace a broad perspective and honour that the person on the other side is human too.

    We all look forward to a better future, even if our paths are different, our destinations are the same. 

    Real change begins with empathy and compassion. Learning to listen, willing to talk without turning it into a war, not that we are enemies, but we choose to behave like one, because we want to uphold our side first. Still, once we understand that it’s never about winning, we will go a long way in bringing peace and happiness.