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In the daily interaction of living things, some patterns show themselves. These patterns show the kind of interaction between one organism and another or between a group of organisms and another. With careful observation, we find out that just like organisms and animals, human beings also display certain patterns in their day-to-day interaction.
Sometimes, people are not conscious of the modes of living that is existent in their relationship, home, workplace etc. It is time to get knowledge on some of these modes and take advantage of the situation to make more impact in the lives of other people we meet.
THE MOST COMMON MODES OF LIVING TOGETHER IN LIVING THINGS
PARASITISM AS A MODE OF LIVING
This is a mode of living together in which there is a host and a smaller organism or animal called the parasite. The parasite is the organism that feeds or gains continuously from the host. The host is the organism housing the parasite, it loses and gains in no way at all because the parasite depends solely on it. In parasitism, the host is usually larger than the parasite.
MUTUALISM AS A MODE OF LIVING
This is a mode of living together in which both gain from each other, it is more like an exchange of materials from one to the other, A gives B what B requires and B gives A what A requires. It can be seen as sharing where sometimes A brings what is to be shared and sometimes B brings what is to be shared. It can also be seen as a kind of working together and exchange of services where each work for the other.
COMMENSALISM AS A MODE OF LIVING
This is a mode of living together where organisms share the same environment, one gains but the other neither loses nor gains. A good example is the living together of barnacles and whales. The barnacle lives inside the whale for protection from other larger sea animals, it does not feed on the whale but only stays there for protection. The whale does not gain or lose too because it is almost as if the barnacle is absent since it doesn’t feed on the whale.
Apart from the three modes of living discussed above, we can deduce a fourth which is a living together in which there is neither loss nor gain. The organisms in this situation only share the same environment but none gains or loses anything in the interaction.
LIVING WITH NEIGHBOURS, FAMILY, ROOMMATES
The analysis above on the living modes of organisms can be applied to human beings as well. The way we live with our neighbours, our roommates, family members etc. The way we act in every environment we find ourselves also constitutes our living modes. Certain questions arise in our minds when we try to think of the different modes listed above.
How do we live with those we find in our environment?
What values do we add to the lives of others, how do we contribute to their growth?
Are we parasites who only drain those in our environment without offering them anything?
The observation of the biological interactions and modes of living amongst living things can be applied to the day to day living amongst humans, our friends, family members, roommates, neighbours etc. to determine.
APPROPRIATION OF THE DIFFERENT MODES OF LIVING TO HUMAN INTERACTION
In parasitism, we can see that two people can live in the same room or house and one person is only a parasite ready to feed on his neighbour, the host. This parasitism can be seen in the contribution each makes in the day-to-day interactions. It can be either monetary or otherwise. In this situation, you notice that one person depends solely on the other for monetary support or so. Usually, the dependence is extreme as it connotes a constant drill or overuse of the other’s resources without consideration.
In commensalism, we can see that two people can live together, one contributes to the other’s growth and wellbeing while the other does not contribute in any way and does not lose either. This is a state of neutrality, where one gains from a roommate or neighbour without affecting him. This can involve careful observation, paying attention to thought patterns, taking similar action, etc.
In mutualism, we can visualize a situation where two people who are living together contribute simultaneously to each other. There is an exchange of ideas, resources and so much more. Each contributes to the other’s growth in one way or the other.
BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT CHANGE IN THE MODE OF LIVING
In the different areas where we interact with people, we can see the different modes of living manifesting themselves. Sometimes these take place without a plan. Therefore, we have the duty of observing our interactions with people and making an objective analysis of the mode of living with them. This will help us understand the kind of life we are living and how best to adjust for our own good and the good of our neighbours.
It is necessary to be intentional about changing the mode of living if it does not add anything to our lives and that of our neighbours or roommates. Our aim should be to add value to the people we encounter daily and motivate other people to contribute to the growth of one another. We all can become conscious and live properly in a manner that supports growth and the achievement of goals.