Loneliness, Animals, and an Octopus as the Teacher
I was listening to Justice Madan Lokur on Newslaundry (https://www.newslaundry.com/), and in keeping with the format, they asked him about his recommendations that can benefit the audience. He had a few, but one that resonated with me is “My Octopus Teacher” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Octopus_Teacher).
A 2020 Oscar-winning documentary, this is a story of friendship between the protagonist and an Octopus. It is not an exciting subject on the surface, but it has captured the imagination of viewers around the globe. Why so?
I suggest a view, I am also appending a review I wrote about it when I saw it. I am appending it below.
But here I wanted to touch on the subject, of loneliness and company.
When we are born the world around us is large. We have parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles and aunties, cousins, neighbors, school friends — a large universe to soak into. But as we reach the middle age, the circle starts shrinking.
Reasons are many, but to start with it is people moving to newer places, followed by deaths in the family, which starts with a trickle but soon enough gains pace. Middle age is also not an easy time to make new friends, and work colleagues and social acquaintances can only be that, just casual company. And then the kids move away, and as we say “empty nest” sets in.
Wherever one is, socially or economically, if we are fortunate to live long, life will be lonely for a very long part of our life. Studies show that comprehensively. So whoever is now feeling cocky and assured of being on their own now, wait for an inevitable “lonely winter”.
Studies from the US throw scary numbers, and India is sure somewhat away from that. But with life expectancy increasing and nuclear families being the norm, we will reach there soon.
So who stays with us as we age? And provide the company.
This is a real issue, and it is staring at us — though we may like to keep our eyes closed.
Or we may look at animals to connect with.
It is almost a decade since we have had dogs at home, and they have become our best friends. As my circle shrinks (I lost three very close relatives this year), they fill the gaps in their silent way.
I saw this cartoon recently, with a chuckle. It in many ways represents my life.
Think about it, take a pet before it is too late.
Not all of us can be like Craig Foster, so a dog or a cat can be a good beginning.
And yes, now back to my take on the documentary.
Well, the documentary stands out in many ways. The photography, editing, and storytelling are par excellence. So are many technicalities. But that is not even a quarter of why this touches you.
This is of course a story of extra bonding between two species, which is not so uncommon from one bond with a pet.
But this is no pet, it is an animal in the wild, with very limited exposure to humans.
I bet most of us have a very limited understanding of Octopus. Apart from some grand SciFi stories, little is known about them even among the scientific community.
I didn’t have an idea that two-thirds of their brain is outside their skull, but on their arms. Or that they live 3–5 years (and the species profiled only for 1–2 years). Or they reach their prime to procreate and die.
The connection between animals and humans is always fascinating. It is always based on mutual benefits — either one (parasitic), or both symbiotic (both). After all, dogs got domesticated because they got food, and humans got protection (and transport, support in hunting, and company).
But what connects a human with an Octopus, deep underwater, where nothing seems obvious in the least?
That is what is the most fascinating aspect of ‘My Octopus Teacher”. The bond transcends two socially unconnected species, transcending the language barrier, in hostile territory, with no apparent interest. All happening within a short span, punctured by grisly struggles and passing on the passion across the generations and communities.
Well, the documentary stands out in many ways. The photography, editing, and storytelling are par excellence. So are many technicalities. But that is not even a quarter of why this touches you. That too in a flash even by the standards of human life, makes us deeply reflect on the purpose of our existence.
Catch up, it will be worth 80 minutes of your life.
References
https://ourworldindata.org/social-connections-and-loneliness
