Selfish traits not favoured by evolution, study shows

[Sagan]

Evolution does not favour selfish people, according to new research.

This challenges a previous theory which suggested it was preferable to put yourself first.

Instead, it pays to be co-operative, shown in a model of "the prisoner's dilemma", a scenario of game theory - the study of strategic decision-making.

Published in Nature Communications, the team says their work shows that exhibiting only selfish traits would have made us go extinct.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23529849

Evolutionary instability of zero-determinant strategies demonstrates that winning is not everything http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2013/13...comms3193.html

[Chantellabella]

I believe it. We can't all be good at everything. Therefore we need others who have diverse skills.

But at my estimate, I think we need only about 10 people. Twelve at the most.