[bheadmaster]

> In every human interaction you can perceive the battle over power, social status and personal interests.

I agree with this in general - but some interactions really are more about mutual feeling-good, than about power struggles. Of course, those interactions are necessarily with people who are close to us.

I think the better way to put this would be:

    In every interaction *with strangers* you can perceive the battle over power, social status and personal interests.

[Silverback_VII]

Not sure if your statement is true even if I can see some relationships to be mutually beneficial. However, the term frenenemy exists for a reason. I think some part of oneself is always calculating one's own value and power in relation to others. Some of these mechanics only become apparent if there is a big change in a relationship like one of your friend or family member becoming very successful for example.

[chowells]

I don't understand. Every one of my friends is an awesome person who deserves health, happiness, and security. If they find those things, I'm happy for them. What kind of person do you mislabel "friend" if you get upset that their life is becoming better?

[bheadmaster]

Ressentiment is a real friendship killer.

It's one thing to be happy for your friend's success, it's another thing to watch your friend have all the things that you want in life but can't get, on a regular basis.

Of course, one could ask whether or not that friend has the responsibility to share his success with you, or whether or not it is right to feel that they do. Those are tricky questions, and asking them still doesn't stop ugly emotions from appearing. And since friendships are mostly based on good emotions, bad emotions cause issues.

Human interactions are simple in theory, but very complex in practice.