The Social Instinct

It was hardly surprising that this book title caught my eye this year. Often I read a book based on the recommendation of individuals who come through the doors of The Urban Co-op and it has led to a wonderful cornucopia of ideas and a shift in perspective often needed to challenge a group think scenario.
 
As we explore the concept of co-operation in its legal forms here it is timely to touch base with the work of Nichola Raihani who brings us on a journey of co-operation with a multitude of examples from down at a microscopic level to our own human existence and society structures with its successes and failures.
 
What lessons can we learn from this biological researcher who brings us tales of her findings of the co-operation amid ​species of mole rats in South Africa, apostlebirds in Australia and wrasse cleaning fish on tropical reefs?

Co-operation does suggest images of cheerful teamwork but there are reminders throughout the book that while it has been our superpower to co-operate as a species, all is not a level playing field. Our social networks extend far beyond our kin and we have learned to co-operate in newer ways every day especially with technology. Free loaders, cheats, bribery, nepotism all feature as also forms of co-operation and I can only acknowledge that this is a reality that many people are familiar with. Trust plays an enormous role in successful co-operation and there are many ongoing examples to remind us that it is a rare reality to have full trust in place. How many times have we been asked to trust the experts yet find out later there is a cover up?
 
She suggests our aim in society is to achieve “material security”. Our main concerns are threats, sustenance and disease. If we can avoid being harmed, we can get the food we need and stay healthy, how bad! My social instinct tells me that how we co-operate in the future will be based on hard earned trust.
 
There is much to digest in this book and ponder on and I did enjoy it. Not quite the book I expected though and often those are the best!
 
Anne Maher
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