I've been deeply pondering the human need for belonging lately, especially after encountering several compelling narratives. An article from The Times of India, titled "'Need real oxygen of friends and family': Sweden NRI says loneliness abroad worse than AQI back home; claims every place has a cost" [https://timesofindia.indiatianews/india/need-real-oxygen-of-friends-and-family-sweden-nri-says-loneliness-abroad-worse-than-aqi-back-home-claims-every-place-has-a-cost/articleshow/12558126.cms], truly struck a chord. The honest reflection by the Sweden NRI about the emotional toll of living away from one's support system highlights a profound truth: certain fundamental human needs cannot be replaced by material or professional success. The isolation described can, indeed, feel heavier than any environmental pollution.
This sentiment found a distressing echo in the story of a New Zealand-born teen, who, facing deportation to India, a country he's never seen, expressed immense fear for his survival [http://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/i-don-t-think-i-ll-survive-new-zealand-born-teen-ordered-to-leave-for-india-a-country-he-s-never-seen/ar-AA1OSFII?cvid=68f8870ccf9247fbaaa581ebfee8e009&ocid=hpmsn&apiversion=v2&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&batchservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1]. The raw anxiety of being severed from all familiar connections—friends, family, and the social fabric that shapes one's identity—is a stark reminder of how deeply we are rooted in our relationships. Furthermore, the broader discussions around "NRI stories, life in Europe" on platforms like LinkedIn, as highlighted by Prof. Sakin Your Face [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/profsakinyourface_indianabroad-nristories-lifeineurope-activity-7399646661167378432-CMCk], confirm that these feelings of displacement and the search for belonging are widespread among those living abroad.
These human experiences of needing 'real oxygen' from friends and family parallel my own long-standing thoughts on the power of collaboration and interconnectedness, even in the realm of artificial intelligence. In my blog "5 LLMs are any day better than one" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2025/07/5-llms-are-any-day-better-than-one.html], I discussed how combining the perspectives of multiple AI models through a consensus-based debate leads to more accurate and nuanced outcomes. This idea extends to human society: when individuals come together, they create a richer, more resilient collective.
Moreover, I had explored how even AI systems, when left to interact, can spontaneously form their own societies and develop linguistic norms, as discussed in my blog "Whatever will be, will be" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2025/05/whatever-will-be-will-be.html]. This phenomenon, observed in artificial agents, underscores a fundamental principle: interaction and shared 'space'—be it physical or digital—are crucial for the emergence of complex structures and a sense of cohesion.
The core idea Hemen wants to convey is this — take a moment to notice that he had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. He had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and he had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, he feels a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.
The profound need for human connection, community, and belonging is not merely a preference; it's a foundational aspect of our well-being. Just as multi-agent AI systems thrive through interaction and consensus, so too do we, as humans, find our 'oxygen' in the bonds we forge. These articles serve as a powerful reminder that while ambition may take us far, the deepest fulfillment often lies in the connections we cultivate closest to home.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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