Networking

I hate the term networking when talking about people. The word has just been too sullied for me by the likes of GC and JT. These two people have really clearly defined for me the difference for them of a contact and a friend, if the latter even exists for them. But then, this post is not about them.

As I was recounting about my hopes and dreams at 3 in the morning, about how I would like to run for office to change cities, the people I was talking to jokingly teased me that I am friends with them because I am trying to network and find people who will help me fulfill that ambition of mine: a publicity person, a political strategist, and so on.

It (networking) being a topic that I feel strongly about (or against?), I reacted violently and explained for a good minute or so that that is not the case. I think I over-reacted but I just had to clear that out.

Interestingly, later someone (Gwen G) mentioned that loving and caring and responsibility are distinct concepts. One feels responsibility towards parents who've raised us. Sometime we may not love them nor care for them but there are soicio-cultural duties that we perform.

I think the difference between a contact and a friend is that you care about them. I wouldn't go on a limb and say that one should love them too because I personally don't know what love is.