The Super Bowl. Democrats vs. Republicans. Ford vs. Chevy. Bloods vs. Crips. Public vs. private schools. Sibling rivalries. Competition permeates every aspect of our society, and we place great confidence in its ability to allocate resources efficiently, spur innovation, and build personal character. As others have argued, competition is now a paradigm—a conceptual framework that is often taken for granted but rarely challenged. In this book, experts examine competition from their own disciplinary perspectives. From economics to philosophy, biology to education, and psychology to politics, the origins and applications of this paradigm are placed in historical context, its mechanics are analyzed, and its costs and benefits are assessed. The questions addressed in this book are important and varied. What is the historical genesis of the competition paradigm? How is competition manifest in our culture—in religion, politics, economics, sports, business, and education—and are its effects always beneficial? What can we learn about the mechanics of competition from studying nature? Are humans naturally competitive, or is it a learned behavior? How does competition affect our mental and physical well-being? Is competition the best strategy for allocating finite planetary resources to an expanding human population? The book also engages a cooperative alternative, and asks: Is there an ethical tension between competition and cooperation? Why have cooperative models been undervalued and marginalized? Can cooperation increase innovation and efficiency? This collection provides a broad, insightful, and productive examination of one of the dominant concepts of our time.

The concept of competition is frequently regarded with ambivalence. While its champions wholeheartedly endorse it for reasons of efficiency, critics believe competition undermines ethics. They denounce competitive thinking, call for modesty in profit-making, and rail against economisation. However, Christoph Lütge argues convincingly that intensified competition can work in favour of ethical goals, and that many criticisms of competition stem from an inadequate understanding of how modern societies and economies function. The author illustrates his view with examples from ecology, healthcare and education, and concludes with a call for more entrepreneurial spirit.

"A very timely book."—Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America How cognitive biases can guide good decision making in politics and international relations A widespread assumption in political science and international relations is that cognitive biases—quirks of the brain we all share as human beings—are detrimental and responsible for policy failures, disasters, and wars. In Strategic Instincts, Dominic Johnson challenges this assumption, explaining that these nonrational behaviors can actually support favorable results in international politics and contribute to political and strategic success. By studying past examples, he considers the ways that cognitive biases act as “strategic instincts,” lending a competitive edge in policy decisions, especially under conditions of unpredictability and imperfect information. Drawing from evolutionary theory and behavioral sciences, Johnson looks at three influential cognitive biases—overconfidence, the fundamental attribution error, and in-group/out-group bias. He then examines the advantageous as well as the detrimental effects of these biases through historical case studies of the American Revolution, the Munich Crisis, and the Pacific campaign in World War II. He acknowledges the dark side of biases—when confidence becomes hubris, when attribution errors become paranoia, and when group bias becomes prejudice. Ultimately, Johnson makes a case for a more nuanced understanding of the causes and consequences of cognitive biases and argues that in the complex world of international relations, strategic instincts can, in the right context, guide better performance. Strategic Instincts shows how an evolutionary perspective can offer the crucial next step in bringing psychological insights to bear on foundational questions in international politics.

Laarkmaa is a loving group of Pleiadians who are dedicated to the evolution of humanity. In Remembering Who We Are, Laarkmaa shares revelatory insights on how we can heal ourselves from all of our discomfort and dis-ease. Guiding us towards unimaginable possibilities, Laarkmaa shares wisdom about the nature of energy, the polarities of fear and love, our life purpose, the power of speech, the illusion of time, how to heal our relationships, and how we can manifest a better world. Each truth they share builds upon a preceding insight, until we are ultimately given all of the tools we need to heal ourselves and our world. The reader arrives at the end of the journey to find a series of choices. Will we, individually and collectively, make the right choices for our own evolution?“ What an amazing gift…on so many levels. I was riveted; it seems so familiar, and I couldn’t put it down. Such a joy; thank you. It will certainly touch the hearts of those who remember, and I hope will ring a chord with those who have forgotten.”Nicola Merton-RichardsThe Martinsell Spiritual Center, U.K.“ This book brings an answer to my searching. There is so much here that gives me goosebumps as I read it. Fantastic job all the way around! Now, of course, I would like to buy copies to give to all of the people who need what Laarkmaa has to say.”Rebecca Gretz, Expressions of LoveRadio Host, U.S.A.“This book is simple and deep. The vast implications for what is possible are matched with the feelings of love behind the text. It is now up to me to engage in a personal practice to make positive changes in my life.”Hans Nilsson, Author, Discover YourProblem Solving Abilities, Sweden

Twelve-year-old friends Ted and Ashley are finally old enough to go to Kart Kamp in the summer, where they meet Gil Stevens, son of a famous driver, but soon Ted's competitive instincts start to get the better of him, and camp becomes less about learning than winning.

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Why is it not what you know, but who you know? Power corrupt and competition bring out the worst in people. Civilized people engage in terrorism, murder, genocide and war- racism, sexism, injustice and inequality- corruption, deception, suicide and child abduction- domestic violence and drug abuse, all for no apparent reason. In this fascinating work Alexander DeBruhl explores how our subconscious natural instincts are responsible for all conflicts and suffering and how the power-elite can be persuaded to initiate an education and technological revolution resulting in legal and government reform through which we can create an ideal society built around balance, equality, logic and scientific truth...ensuring that the people in power are there because they are intellectuals, not because they won a popularity contest... and that laws and policies are based on rational scientific thought not personal bias, emotion or opinion...radically improving the quality of life for every man, woman and child.

Why do we sometimes get into the wrong relationships, take the wrong jobs, and make the wrong choices? The answers and solutions to these everyday plights are revealed by today’s “scientists of the mind,” evolutionary psychologists who have discovered stunning new lessons about the power of instincts and their capacity to transform lives positively. But too many of us have lost contact with our instincts. We don’t hear them. We don’t use them. And that gets us in trouble–over and over again. Now, Dr. Hendrie Weisinger shows how to reconnect with the instincts Mother Nature gave you. You’ll rediscover the six most indispensable human instincts that have evolved over millions and millions of years. Then, you’ll learn why you have emotions, and how to listen to them...how to scout out an environment that'll nurture you... how to become more comfortable with your vulnerabilities... have more fun by stimulating your curiosity... build deeper bonds with those around you... make yourself more attractive to mates and employers alike! You're hardwired for success. Use the powerful instincts Mother Nature gave you and gain the joy, fulfillment, and pleasure you deserve!

The premise of this book is that our environmental dilemmas are products of biological and sociocultural evolution, and that through an understanding of evolution we can reframe debates of thought and action. The purpose is to explain the wide variety of environmental worldviews, their origins, commonalities, points of contention, and their implications for the modern environmental movement. In three parts covering the origins, evolution and future of environmentalism, it offers instructors and students a framework on which to map theory, case studies and classical literature. It is shown that environmentalism can be described in terms of six human values—utility, stability, equity, beauty, sanctity, and morality—and that these are deeply rooted in our biological and cultural origins. In building this case the book draws upon ecology, philosophy, psychology, history, biology, economics, spirituality, and aesthetics, but rather than consider these all independently it integrates them to craft a mosaic narrative of our species and its home. From our evolutionary origins a story emerges; it is the story of humankind, how we have come to threaten our own existence, and why we seem to have such difficulty in acting together to ensure our common future. Understanding our environmental problems in evolutionary terms gives us a way forward. It suggests an environmentalism in which material views of human life include spirituality, in which our anthropocentric behaviors incorporate ecological function, and in which environmental problems are addressed by the intentional relation of humans to the nonhuman world and to one another. Aimed at students taking courses in environmental studies, the book brings clarity to a complex and, at times, confusing array of ideas and concepts of environmentalism.

In a society more concerned with how to cope with existential dread than how to make actionable changes to save the planet, a surprisingly large number of Americans identify as environmentalists. What can individual people do to lessen human impacts on the planet? This is not an easy question. Most research is focused on large-scale changes that go beyond anything an individual can accomplish, and people are left feeling defeated rather than inspired to make changes in their everyday lives. Change starts at home, and F Stuart Chapin, III has assembled a book for people who want to learn more about global changes and, more importantly, what they can do about them, starting today. Grassroots Stewardship approaches our current situation with an educated sense of hope and positivity. This book emphasizes actions by individuals, rather than governmental or corporate institutions, to trigger transformational change. Readers will learn what they can do to most significantly transform their communities and the planet with more sustainable pathways.