p22 “Ecology is concerned with two basic problems: distribution and abundance.”
p48 “There are several genetic instructions which seem to be common to, and appropriate to, all life and Rule Number One amongst these is: BE NASTY TO OUTSIDERS. Genes are simple-minded and mean spirited. …. They have no vision and cannot be expected to have the welfare of the whole species at heart.”
[Rule Zero: It has to be a pretty good niche to warrant not being part of a group. A group has insiders (the group) and outsiders.]
[Rule Number zero point one: When the group gets big create a hierarchy and diversify roles in the group for efficiency.]
p51 “In addition to being generally nasty to outsiders, genes have a supplementary tendency which could be described as Rule Number Two: BE NICE TO INSIDERS. Dawkins, Hamilton and Wilson all recognise ‘the gene’ as a biochemical entity.”
p58 “In addition to being generally nasty strangers, and nice to relatives and friends, genes are congenital crooks. They hedge their bets by … Rule Number Three: CHEAT WHENEVER POSSIBLE.” [That is to say; cheat on group rules if there is apparent genetic risk/return survival value.]
Tags: abundance, altruism, cheat, civic responsibility, distribution, diversify, ecology, fitness landscape, genes, grid, group, ideas, KNOW THYSELF, phenotype, political science, social psychology, specialise
