Feeling envy

Ashwin Goyal

Nov 17, 2023

His shiny new car, my latest tech toy; his promotion, my job switch. Every move demands a countermove.

I’m not sure about where I’m going, and I suspect he doesn’t have a clue either. So we both look at each other, engaged in this silent dance, each cautiously making sure no one gets too far ahead. It’s a cycle of watching, mimicking, and one-upping.

Our lives become a relentless pursuit, not of happiness, but of parity. Envy serves as a shortcut, guiding us to what’s valuable. If the other desires it, surely it holds some worth?

Hunting for treasure

My day at work starts with a bang. There’s a big shake-up in office politics. I chuckle, imagining her reaction, knowing she’s as clued into this saga as I am. She’s great at guessing why people do things, like a detective. Lunchtime brings a text from my

Fighting biology

Body: "See that cake, brain? We need to eat it right this instant! What if this is our last chance for food? We could actually starve! This is crucial, a matter of life or death – eat it NOW.” Brain: “Hold on, body. Are you really concerned about running out