[Onward2wards]

In Nature, we find three forms of survival that I can think of:

* Predation
* Symbiosis
* Parasitism

"Survival of the fittest" simply means success by an organism at using one or more of the above strategies optimally. For example, a coyote could be acting primarily as a predator, while acting symbiotically within its' local colony, and parasitically if it steals a meal another animal has killed.

I find it intriguing that all three, in their "purest" or absolute form, mean big trouble for human beings. To have a predatory relation with others is obviously major distress for the prey! To have a genuinely symbiotic relation seems like codependency in an absolute form - literally, one or more organisms cannot survive at all without one other or the group, because the relationship grows to the point of mutual obligation (no true individuality or choices). Parasitism means that one individual sucks the life out of another while offering little or anything in return - this is almost like covert predation. (Sneaky, Nature, I see what you did there!).

So as human beings, when it comes to any and all kinds of relationships from the most casual to the most deeply connected, what new model do we need to apply? When it comes to love, we seem to operate best in a functional range of close interdependency (the healthy side of symbiosis, before mutually helpless codependency occurs, still permitting individuality while avoiding mutual isolation). In general, Predation is diluted to become healthy and mutually respectful competition and justly organized hierarchies, and Parasitism is also diluted to admit that sometimes an individual or subgroup can benefit from the altruism of another individual or group, but never to the point of utterly sucking the life out of it.

We do have to remember that we are both social beings with a need for mutually beneficial connectedness, and individuals with a need to express and explore that individuality.

I find it fascinating that, as the "Big Human on the totem pole", our species seems to operate best using the above principles found elsewhere in nature, but in a MUCH more balanced, mixed and nuanced way. It seems to me that when we start to go wrong in our relations with others, we are reverting to the old three primitive ways of survival in ways that are too basic to be sustainable.

Evolution builds from bottom up. There was no grand design from the beginning. The primal instinct was self-preservation, which is obvious, because otherwise, no one will be sitting here. But then with time, self-preservation required mutual collaboration between primates, especially homo sapiens, because of the harsh realities they faced in Africa. So now evolution adds a new layer that contradicts the first one, which is the layer of hyper socialization and cooperation. So, I agree, human relationships are of mutual benefits for the individuals involved, even though, I think the equilibrium point at which all individuals benefit equally is very difficult to achieve, as selfishness, I believe, is still the stronger instinct.

[Ocean Swimmer]

Wow. Heavy!