When the need arises to compromise and selectively absorb information...

I have a friend whom another acquaintance questions, wondering if he's attempting to achieve omniscience, despite the impossibility of such a feat.

He is an exceptionally unique individual. He confided in me about his fear of being excluded from conversations, which led him to delve into Maldivian politics.

I believe he is the kind of person who seeks acceptance within various social circles by acquiring fragments of knowledge about a wide range of subjects, ensuring he doesn't come across as uninformed when spending time with his numerous friends.

Despite his improved circumstances, he manages to avoid becoming a "kuhlhavah falu rani," a term used in the Maldives to describe individuals who have disconnected from their roots, or a "roanu edhuru," another allusion to people who arrogantly believe they possess all-encompassing knowledge. As a consequence, such people develop a condescending demeanor, often belittling those whom they perceive as less intelligent than themselves. But fortunately, my friend has not stooped to such depths in terms of his character and personality.

In my case, my interests have been fluctuating: I now limit myself to checking the headlines of only 8 local newspapers out of the more than 90 local news websites. They are, in no particular order, Mihaaru, Dhiyares, The Press, Mi Noos, Adhadhu, Avas, Dhauru, and Vaguthu. Even then, I do so only once every three days and ignore any news that doesn't personally interest me.  I don't care even if some people call me an ignorant person.

I suppose my focus on this limited number of newspapers is to stay informed about what is happening in Maldives, enabling me to live here without experiencing constant shocks and surprises, although it seems rare for a day to pass without news of a murder or a fatal motorist accident.

Regarding enjoyable conversations with others, I have also observed a decline in the number of friends I have. However, I am not concerned about it. I have an abundance of media and cultural productions that pique my interest and can keep me occupied for this lifetime.

Nonetheless, I still make time to meet friends for coffee and cherish those moments, as they often inspire ideas that manifest themselves in the form of blogposts.