Standing on the Sun

CHAPTER SIX

The Invisible Handshake

Collaborative production as the world's business model

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of evolution is its ability to generate cooperation in a competitive world. Thus, we might add “natural cooperation” as a third fundamental principle of evolution beside mutation and natural selection.

—Martin A. Nowak, Professor of Biology and of Mathematics at Harvard University and Director of Harvard's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics

On January 24, 2010, a doctor sent this short SMS message to the U.S. Coast Guard (personal data omitted here): Two persons are trapped under the rubble at the Caribbean Market. One of them, Regine [M-- -] here is using this number: (+1) 305 --- ---- to call for help. Coordinates: ...