Over the first quarter of 2016, this newsletter has revolved around the issue of classifying our everyday relationships the way relationships are classified in nature, and breaking them into three categories: Parasitic, Commensalistic, or Mutualistic. After the last newsletter about mutualism, though, I received some push back from a 20-year friend in the industry. His issue with … Continue reading Volume 26: Long Term Relationships Can’t Be Classified →

In times like these, I try to avoid the word "hate," so I'll say it this way: I greatly dislike free rides. I don't like getting them (and cheating someone else,) and I don't like giving them. This is why I've made Mutualism the last of the three relationship types that I'll discuss in this newsletter … Continue reading Volume 25: Mutualism →

In Article Two of our Relationships series earlier this month, I discussed Parasitic Relationships and the drain they can be on a person. If you remember, a Parasitic Relationship is one in which one party benefits by harming another. A gang taking "protection" money from a local business is a parasitic relationship, for example. In … Continue reading Volume 24: Commensalism →

According to Wikipedia, a Parasitic Relationship in nature is one where, "one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host." [1] For instance, the relationship between fleas or tapeworms and a household pet would constitute a parasitic relationship. The fleas and tapeworms reap benefits, while doing harm to your cat or dog in the … Continue reading Volume 23: Parasitic Relationships →

As I enjoyed my family's Christmas and New Year's Celebrations a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but reflect on the relationships I have with those around me. There's the constant flow of family, as well as the friends I've picked up along the way. There are plenty of business relationships too that I thought … Continue reading Volume 22: Relationships in Nature and Business →