This thought came to me upon my reflection over an incident that occurred in 2019.

Life Happens at the Intersection

By Dr. Noble Nwigwe, CEO, Remote Practice Managers

Dr. Noble Nwigwe is a thought leader, author, and CEO of Remote Practice Managers, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in optimizing healthcare practices through remote technologies. With a passion for philosophical reflections on life, purpose, and human interactions, Dr. Nwigwe explores the deeper meanings of existence and how modern technologies intersect with human experiences.

The Ubiquity of Life and the Intersections That Define It

Life is everywhere. It exists in the air we breathe, in the soil beneath our feet, and in every space imaginable. Some forms of life are microscopic, invisible to the naked eye, while others move freely in the open. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly interacting with life—intentionally and unintentionally.

These interactions, however, are not random. They happen at what I call “intersections.” An intersection is a point in time and space where two or more paths cross. These intersections are the defining moments of survival, transformation, and even termination for all living beings.

The Intersection as the Stage of Life

Prior to an intersection, movement is uninterrupted. There are no obstacles, no conflicts, and no threats. It is a state of being alone, free from influence. But the moment we encounter an intersection, everything changes.

When two or more entities arrive at an intersection, the outcome depends on the nature of the interaction. In the insect world, for instance, an intersection can mean life or death. A predator and its prey meet—one survives, the other perishes. A roach, living its life undisturbed, may meet its fate under a human foot at an intersection it never anticipated.

The same holds true for wild animals. Predators rely on intersections to find food, while prey creatures must navigate them with caution. The outcome of these encounters determines survival.

The Invisible Codes That Govern Human Intersections

For humans, intersections are not solely about physical survival. We have an additional layer of complexity—codes of life. These invisible principles determine how we navigate intersections safely or perilously.

These life codes include:

• Common sense: Making rational decisions at intersections of danger or opportunity.
• Ethics and etiquette: Governing our interactions to ensure mutual respect and survival.
• Luck: The unpredictable factor that can tip the balance in either direction.

Just as an insect avoids a predator by sheer instinct, humans rely on these codes to navigate their interactions, be it in business, relationships, or society.

Intersections in the Digital Age: The Cloud as a New Reality

Today, intersections are not limited to the physical world. They extend into the digital realm, where real-life consequences unfold in virtual spaces.

In the cloud, every interaction is an intersection. Social media, online transactions, virtual meetings, and artificial intelligence-driven systems all represent points where human decisions, algorithms, and automated processes collide. The implications of these digital intersections are just as profound as those in the physical world:

• Cybersecurity threats: A hacker and a company’s firewall meet at an intersection—one wins, the other loses.
• Artificial intelligence decisions: AI-driven algorithms determine outcomes in finance, healthcare, and even justice systems, impacting real lives.
• Social media interactions: A single post can elevate a career or ruin a reputation overnight.

The digital world is now an extension of our reality, with intersections that shape destinies, create opportunities, and impose risks.

Surviving and Thriving at the Intersection

The key to survival at any intersection—whether physical or digital—is awareness. Understanding the risks and opportunities that intersections present allows us to navigate them effectively.

For some, intersections are places of peril, where missteps lead to failure. For others, they are opportunities for growth, innovation, and success. Whether in the natural world or the cloud, life happens at intersections. The choices we make in those critical moments define our future.

In the end, intersections are both a source of creation and destruction. They are where paths converge, decisions are made, and life takes its next course. The question remains: How will you navigate your next intersection?