Mutualism - You scratch my back and I'll scratch urs

in nature •  7 years ago  (edited)

Nature is full of examples of Mutualism.

"Mutualism is the way two organisms of different species exist in a relationship in which each individual benefits from the activity of the other. Similar interactions within a species are known as co-operation."
(Definition from Wikipedia)

Ants have such relationships with plants & other animals.

An examples is when ants interact with scale insects.

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The ants protect the scale insect from predation and the scale insect rewards the ant with sweet nectar. Other creatures, such as aphids and caterpillars, also excrete nourishing nectar for the ants in return for protection.

Trees and plants use some ant species for protection or seed dispersion and in return provide food or shelter.

Such as with certain Acacia trees, which provides food and housing. The ants protect the tree from even the largest animals, such as, Giraffes & Elephants.

Ah, Steemit co-operation works in a similar way.
We produce content and we support content.
We have a spectrum of personality types who are all here for a variety of reasons.

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I have found that I gravitate more readily to those that have commented on my posts first or who have voted on my stuff. I also notice that people I vote and comment on also reciprocate with a view of my recent posts.

As Steemit doesn't have an easy way to pin users or posts. Unless we make a list ourself, whcih isn't always an easy process.

The longer term relationships tend to be due to an extreme attraction due to a common trigger, a guild group, such as #TeamAustralia or #steemsilvergold , a YouTube celebrity who.has moved onto Steem, or a poster who frequently posts in a way that attracts your attention.

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A minnow & whale enjoying a post🤣😘

I'm @jagged

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Source:

http://vafant.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/blog-post_13.html?m=1
http://www.khatulistiwaenglishcommunity.org/2013/01/key-english-flash-tutorial-you-scratch.html?m=1
http://whiteangelxoxo.tumblr.com

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Mutualism is certainly a step up from whatever we've been doing for the past few centuries. One step beyond that would be to stop thinking of it as "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" and just instinctively being good to anyone you encounter who shows that they will not abuse your kindness. There isn't really much thought put into the potential for any kind of reciprocation of future benefit. It's more about seeing each piece as part of the whole. This is the idea of a gift economy, and I hope it can develop alongside the crypto economy.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Yes, that would be ideal.
If I know what a person's motivation is, then it makes more logical sense.
If you see in recent news, particularly with some churches and charities, sometimes their "motovations" were kept in shadow for a long time.
Also, we are limited for time and it is impossible to not maintain the Self in some way.
If you and I can agree and accept our motivations, then a transaction takes place which works out well.
When I was younger I refused gifts that were offerred for helping someone. My motivation was to help for free. This backfired with 2 Malaysian friends who were insulted that I refused their gifts. One was for being a strong friend and the other for helping him with his studies. After upsetting them, I changed my cultural sensitivities and I now accept any gifts with a clear Thank You 😃