Mutualistic reciprocity succeeds where individual competition would fail under stress

Evidence

These ancients carry teachings in the ways that they live. They remind us of the enduring power that arises from mutualism, from the sharing of the gifts carried by each species. Balanced reciprocity has enabled them to flourish under the most stressful of conditions. Their success is measured not by consumption and growth, but by graceful longevity and simplicity, by persistence while the world changed around them. It is changing now. — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, 1009

Categorization

• XREF: Lichen mutualism under stress echoes ch. 67 ‘mutualism emerges under scarcity, not abundance’; also supports ch. 4 ‘individual generosity and collective survival are not opposed.’ — connects to: Mutualism between species emerges under scarcity, not abundance — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom,…, 997; Competitive altruism permits unconditional giving rather than matched reciprocity — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality: The…, 530; Mutually beneficial cooperation often fails to arise among rational individuals — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 2690 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Mutually beneficial cooperation often fails to arise among rational individuals #contradicts (0.85) — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 2690
• Competitive altruism permits unconditional giving rather than matched reciprocity #contradicts (0.75) — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 530
• Reciprocated cooperation teaches one to internalize others’ interests #expands (0.72)
• Egoistic micro-motivation lacks momentum across cases of cooperation #corroborates (0.70)