The Evolutionary Benefits of Kindness

[bijanc]

from "Slate":

http://www.slate.com/id/2231320/

[Marlow]

Coincidently, my seniors and I recently debated the unconscious/instinctual evolutionary origins of altruism.

Those of 'us', hundreds of thousands of years ago, who let our id determine our fate, were wiped out by vengeance-seeking enemies. The survivors' self-preservation instinct was informed by the need to do good for others, in protection of themselves.

The id, however, still seems to be doing just fine, as evidenced by reports in the daily paper.

[SQUACKEE]

Me hit Grog over head with club...good..Grog bleeds and makes funny face

Grog get mad and hit me over head with club..mmm..feel pain..bad

Me notice when i not hit Grog over head with club he not hit me over head with club.........mmmmmm...me on to something?

[Daisy]

.......mmmmmm...me on to something?

Right, make the first hit count.

[Pego]

Coincidently, my seniors and I recently debated the unconscious/instinctual evolutionary origins of altruism.

Those of 'us', hundreds of thousands of years ago, who let our id determine our fate, were wiped out by vengeance-seeking enemies. The survivors' self-preservation instinct was informed by the need to do good for others, in protection of themselves.

The id, however, still seems to be doing just fine, as evidenced by reports in the daily paper.

Evolutionary origins of altruism are considerably older than the man (chimps, wolves...). While tending to her eggs, the octopus does not feed for a prolonged period of time and dies.

[SQUACKEE]

.......mmmmmm...me on to something?

Right, make the first hit count.

LOL, well that was the other choice. Those guys who did "make it count" were wiped out mostly but some survived and became lawyers and real estate agents.

[mojo]

.......mmmmmm...me on to something?

Right, make the first hit count.

LOL, well that was the other choice. Those guys who did "make it count" were wiped out mostly but some survived and became lawyers and real estate agents.

They also sell cars and star in reality TV shows!

[Daisy]

They also sell cars and star in reality TV shows!

And don't forget politics. Oops, .......... another thread down the tube, although, I mean it in a bi/tripartisan way.