Our need to Co-operate

I think Charles Leadbeater has put his finger on something very important in his article "Why Co-operation Will be More Important Than Ever". He is of course not the first to point out that our innate ability to co-operate has and can continue to benefit our species tremendously. Unfortunately, most of the mainstream systems that are in place prefer to encourage competition over co-operation. But this, according to Leadbeater is changing in the face of the rising populatarity of online social networks.

I remember being at a conference some ten years ago about this same exact topic. The speaker claimed that co-operation reaps better and more creative benefits for everyone. Sure enough, the skeptic's question was raised at the end of the presentation asking: but isn't competition the only way to really motivate humans?

This understanding is common since we are used to being in competitive environments where the winner is usually rewarded with something material. Why else would someone work so hard for something, right? But what happens when the goal of working hard shifts to a more meaningful one? Studies have shown that people are more motivated and willing to work (on cognitive tasks) when this is the case- even for free!* More creative ideas come about not only when people have a purpose, but also when they work with others with whom they can exchange ideas. According to Steven Johnson, some of the most creative and innovative ideas come slowly and through this collaboration (see clip).

We are social animals who need to work together and pass on learned knowledge from person to person in order to protect the group and ensure its survival. So why is it that so many societies think that individuals need to stand on their own and be hostile, distrustful and selfish toward others in order to gain an advantage over them? To me this is a dangerously short-sighted view, which in the long-term stumps human development and creativity.



*For more on motivation click here