On Tue, 05 Sep 2000, Brent Allsop wrote:
>
> There is the kicker - "no competition"! In the past we had to
> compete to survive. That is the law when there is no other more
> intelligent way to progress. But once anyone or anything achieves the
> intelligence required to progress more intentionally than via
> "survival of the fittest" all the rules change drastically. No longer
> are we competing, now we are communicating and sharing. If anyone
> anywhere grows, learns, and so on and so forth, it is better for us
> all.
I don't think this is an accurate characterization. The rules don't
change at all; there is still fierce competition among intelligent,
self-directed entities. All that happens is that the competition moves
out of the grossly physical domain for the most part.
The capability to project outcomes of actions as a result of increased
intelligence and knowledge is most likely responsible for this shift.
The ability to accurately forecast the costs/benefits for a broad range of
potential actions would encourage more subtle and less costly
manipulations than brute force to achieve the same effective results in a
competitive environment. It also allows one to recognize losing
positions and to cede them at the lowest possible cost. Maneuver is less
costly than attrition and not as grossly destructive, but it requires
superior situational intelligence to accomplish.
-James Rogers
jamesr@best.com
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