Darwin understood that competition was an important factor in evolution, but it wasn’t the only factor. Cooperation, sympathy, and fairness were equally important features in his vision for the evolution of life. >>Read More

Biological organisms don’t try too hard to eliminate risk, rather they learn to live with risk, even thrive under the shadow of ever present risk. What I haven’t talked too much about is actual risk taking, which people—especially in business--are realizing is essential to moving an organization beyond mere survival. >>Read More

When your neighbor asks to borrow a cup of sugar and you readily comply, is your positive response a function of the give and take that characterize your longstanding relationship? Or does it represent payment -- or prepayment -- for the cup of sugar you borrowed last week, or may need to borrow a month from now? >>Read More

ONE of the most significant phenomena of modern history is the demographic transition: as people get richer, they have smaller families. This slowing of reproduction with economic development is the reason why Thomas Malthus’s prediction of disaster, caused by the human population outstripping its supply of food, is unlikely ever to come true. >>Read More

Obama is re-elected for a second term and once again it is time for the democrats and republicans to either clash or cooperate on reforming the U.S. tax policy. Will there be a compromise or will the U.S. fall over the the so called "fiscal cliff"? Economist Robert Frank offers a clear solution to the tax policy problem using evolutionary science. >>Read More

Biologist Edward O. Wilson has spent a lifetime observing ants, bees, and other social critters, and how they function together in groups. In contrast, my own profession—as a practicing venture capitalist—seems to be worlds away. >>Read More

Over the last 10,000 years agriculture, towns, cities, countries, more material goods, more competition for those goods, and increasing complexity and scale of our economic and political systems has changed the way we see our world and relate to one another. >>Read More