Collaboration Will Take Us Where Competition Can’t

MSussman — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:30:29 GMT

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	Most people would be surprised to learn that Charles Darwin didn’t use the phrase “survival of the fittest” in the original volume of his seminal work, ''On the Origin of Species''. Contrary to prevailing belief, Darwin’s observation of natural selection did not highlight individual competition. Darwin observed that in nature, the community provides the best perches, food, and resources to the strongest members, which confers on them reproductive advantages, so they ultimately produce the healthiest offspring. Harmony ''within'' the community, not domination ''of'' the community, is what Darwin observed. Moreover, he wrote that individuals in nature are inherently social, which is ultimately what produces and sustains well-being for the whole community.		Most people would be surprised to learn that Charles Darwin didn’t use the phrase “survival of the fittest” in the original volume of his seminal work, ''On the Origin of Species''. Contrary to prevailing belief, Darwin’s observation of natural selection did not highlight individual competition. Darwin observed that in nature, the community provides the best perches, food, and resources to the strongest members, which confers on them reproductive advantages, so they ultimately produce the healthiest offspring. Harmony ''within'' the community, not domination ''of'' the community, is what Darwin observed. Moreover, he wrote that individuals in nature are inherently social, which is ultimately what produces and sustains well-being for the whole community.

			Across the world, at any moment, on any given day, billions of people go about their business looking out for each other’s best interests. If that weren't true, the world would not work as well as it does. Cooperation and thoughtfulness abound, while selfish, antagonistic acts pale in numbers. “Are people inherently compassionate or self-centered?” has remained an oft-posed question because of the difference in impact between acts of cooperation or love and acts of aggression or thoughtlessness.

			Hug someone today, and the feeling of love can fade by tomorrow. You almost have to hug them repeatedly, and we do. Shoot or knife someone, drive drunk and crash, or meanly criticize another person, and the memory and consequence can last a lifetime. It is this severe and often lasting impact of violence and negativity that muddies our appreciation for the overwhelming amount of cooperation and consideration all around us.

	So, how did we come to misapply Darwin’s transformative work? Why did we orient commerce and governance around competition and mistrust rather than cooperation and trust? What would have us think that we must pit individuals, companies, organizations, political parties, and countries in an endless competition?		So, how did we come to misapply Darwin’s transformative work? Why did we orient commerce and governance around competition and mistrust rather than cooperation and trust? What would have us think that we must pit individuals, companies, organizations, political parties, and countries in an endless competition?

	“Darwinism” gained popularity during the mid-19th century, when American and British industrialists sought a belief system to justify their massive accumulation of wealth and power. They sponsored members of a new intellectual field called Social ~~Philosophy~~ to promote a misreading of ''On the Origin of Species''. One of the movement’s leading figures, Herbert Spencer, originated the term “survival of the fittest.” Because the public’s access to Darwin’s book was limited, those in power used this disinformation campaign to influence public support for their versions of capitalism and democracy.		“Darwinism” gained popularity during the mid-19th century, when American and British industrialists sought a belief system to justify their massive accumulation of wealth and power. They sponsored members of a new intellectual field called Social Darwinism to promote a misreading of ''On the Origin of Species''. One of the movement’s leading figures, Herbert Spencer, originated the term “survival of the fittest.” Because the public’s access to Darwin’s book was limited, those in power used this disinformation campaign to influence public support for their versions of capitalism and democracy.

	We all suffer under the influence of Spencer’s false and destructive misinterpretation of nature and, indeed, humanity. Modern governance and commerce have since developed around an over-reliance on competitive debate, competing factions, and constant jockeying for attention and favors. However, competition stifles the collective potential of a society and is ultimately highly inefficient for towns, counties, states, countries, and their businesses.		We all suffer under the influence of Spencer’s false and destructive misinterpretation of nature and, indeed, humanity. Modern governance and commerce have since developed around an over-reliance on competitive debate, competing factions, and constant jockeying for attention and favors. However, competition stifles the collective potential of a society and is ultimately highly inefficient for towns, counties, states, countries, and their businesses.
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	Of course, competition has its place in sports, games, and some aspects of business. However, orienting our civilization’s primary functions around competition is outmoded and unsustainable.		Of course, competition has its place in sports, games, and some aspects of business. However, orienting our civilization’s primary functions around competition is outmoded and unsustainable.

	The mounting environmental stresses of the world’s exploding population and the ever-increasing competition to exploit the globe’s abundant, yet finite, treasure trove of natural resources threaten our peace and prosperity.		The mounting environmental stresses of the world’s exploding population and the ever-increasing competition to exploit the globe’s abundant yet finite, treasure trove of natural resources threaten our peace and prosperity.

	There is a better way.		There is a better way.

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Collaboration Will Take Us Where Competition Can’t