Monday, 17 March 2014

Evolution of fairness spites spite.

quote [ We often think of playing fair as an altru?istic behavior. We're sac?ri?ficing our own poten?tial gain to give others what they deserve. What could be more self?less than that? But new research sug?gests another, darker origin behind the kindly act of fairness. An expert in the evolution of spite has investigated possible explanations for fair behavior that hadn't been considered before. ]

An interesting game-theory look at fair play and spite.

A hodge-podge of links in the extended.


Spider monkey society is sexually segregated
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25173-spider-monkey-society-is-sexually-segregated.html

Male spider monkeys are so annoying that it pays off for female spider monkeys to stay away from them for the most part.


Forests Around Chernobyl Aren?t Decaying Properly
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/forests-around-chernobyl-arent-decaying-properly-180950075/

The creepy crawlies and allies don't like radiation much more than we do. Perhaps there will be an abundance of fossilised trees in the future.


100 serial rapists identified after rape kits from Detroit Crime Lab are finally processed
http://www.wxyz.com/news/100-serial-rapists-identified-after-rape-kits-from-detroit-crime-lab-are-finally-processed

This seems extremely odd. This is a lot of samples.


Nasa-funded study: industrial civilisation headed for 'irreversible collapse'?
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/mar/14/nasa-civilisation-irreversible-collapse-study-scientists

Not much of a surprise, but it is interesting to model which factors contribute to these sort of outcomes.


Drowning in Light
http://nautil.us/issue/11/light/drowning-in-light

I find lights which adjust themselves to my presence always slightly creepy. But I suppose that is partially because I would prefer them to stay off.


Spiderwebs don?t work as well in cities
http://grist.org/list/spiderwebs-dont-work-as-well-in-cities/

Would Spiderman therefore be way more awesome out of the city?

[SFW] [science & technology] [+6]
[by Skuld@9:20pmGMT]

Comments

seneschal said @ 11:04pm GMT on 17th Mar
Yes. spiteful behavior encourages fairness.

Spiteful behavior isn't about the current transaction at all. Spiteful behavior is about making your opponent pay so heavily for victory that next time they will make concessions or avoid the fight. Even if it doesn't work on your opponent, others who witness your over-reaction to being wronged will be hesitant to try similar behavior. Being perceived as being unpleasant to fight with, regardless of victory or loss has obvious advantages. I don't have any doubt that it was an evolutionarily beneficial strategy. It only works well in small communities where there is some aversion to conflict.

mechanical contrivance said @ 11:27pm GMT on 17th Mar
No, because he wouldn't have any tall buildings to swing from.
Skuld said @ 8:05pm GMT on 20th Mar
I think he'd be in a forest, swinging from the giant redwoods.
robotroadkill said @ 12:31am GMT on 18th Mar
I don't like that they refer to it as being "dark" in some way.
Skuld said @ 8:06pm GMT on 20th Mar
It is so clearly chartreuse!

Post a comment
[note: if you are replying to a specific comment, then click the reply link on that comment instead]

You must be logged in to comment on posts.



Posts of Import
Karma
SE v2 Closed BETA
First Post
Subscriptions and Things

Karma Rankings
ScoobySnacks
HoZay
Paracetamol
lilmookieesquire
Ankylosaur