[rapnie]

It is maybe too strongly phrased and not universally applicable (where would sports be without competition?). But it is an interesting idea nonetheless. In general we are so deeply instilled with the notion that we should be competitive at all things. Our whole society is based on hyper competitiveness. And look where that gets us. We say that competition is a law of nature, survival of the fittest, etc. But there are a lot of synergetic, collaborative processes in nature. And, while there's competition on micro scales, don't ecosystems find their balance in what species leave for others to thrive on?

Is competition the best way, in all those cases we think it is? Or is it just the easiest, low-friction way for an individual to gain advantage? And not so much benefiting the collective. Are coopetition, collaboration, cross-pollination more advanced and sophisticated mechanisms of evolution? Maybe requiring higher levels of civilization than mankind can bring to the table right now.