Which World Do You See?

It’s easy to focus on competition. We’re told it brings out the best of us. That it’s the way of nature and the world. That it promotes innovation and excellence.

However, nobody notices cooperation, and I would argue it contributes far more.

When scientists look at bones they point out the first evidence a species has begun to truly evolve into an intelligent species as a mended broken bone.

Why? Because in a harsh, competitive natural world this small sign shows that an organism made a choice not to abandon its hurt cohort for slowing it down, but to stay and assist them until they healed. That small act shows a level of social connection that leads to larger groups working together to survive. I would argue it is this cooperation that ultimately led to humanity’s domination of an otherwise cruelly competitive world.

Even in the vaunted halls of capitalism, which everyone hails for its competitive nature, the ultimate goal for those in play isn’t a pure competitive field. It’s a quiet oligarchy, holding power and price points in the hands of a few small brands who tacitly cooperate in order to stifle any competition or losses while sharing power amongst themselves. Folks may argue that’s not how capitalism should operate, but I imagine they’d be hard pressed to find any evidence it hasn’t largely shaken out that way.

On the flip side cooperation amongst the disenfranchised - the rebels, the laborers, the minorities, the poor - has led to uprisings as people have pushed for higher standards and basic human rights for centuries. It’s not competition that drives these groups - they’re not aiming for best or better than. They’re aiming for equal.

So say what you will for the glories of competition. I’d argue it’s the power of cooperation that truly drives the world forward.

But then again it’s your choice - which world do you see?