The exploration of the unpredictable nature of modern romantic relationships reveals that the traditional concept of marriage, "till death do us part", has been replaced by more temporary arrangements. These include cohabitation or "semi-detached couples" who live separate lives but share some time together.

In the current consumer culture, the deep longing of desire has been replaced by fleeting wishes that seek immediate satisfaction. People view their partners as commodities to be used and discarded when they no longer provide satisfaction. However, love cannot be mastered like a skill or dominated like a commodity. Its arrival and departure are enigmatic, bringing both happiness and sadness.

A significant tension exists between the realms of desire and love. Desire aims to consume, possess, and ultimately destroy its object, while love aims to care for and preserve the beloved in an act of self-expansion. Both can become destructive if taken to extremes. Even acts of generosity between lovers can hide possessiveness and the urge to control.

Another important theme is the interaction between choice (as in chosen love) and fate (as in family bonds). While chosen ties like marriage strive for the unconditional permanence of kinship, they are always overshadowed by their elective origins. The possibility of opting out always looms, contributing to the fragility of modern relationships as the social structures that once supported them crumble.

The focus then shifts from the intimacy between lovers to the public sphere, observing how the discourse of psychological unity stumbles outside the couple bubble. A shared identity with a small group can become political, excluding those not "allied" with the group. However, expanding that empathetic circle has proven challenging in societies where impersonal social bonds have disintegrated.

In conclusion, individuals are caught between the desire for freedom and the need for security. Temporary networks ("buddies" we chat with online) attempt to bridge this divide. However, technology cannot alleviate the existential tension between autonomy and belonging. When it comes to falling in love, an unpredictable future always lies ahead, desired and feared in equal measure.