New Scientist recommends Togetherness, a radical new view of life
An exploration of how biological cooperation underpins all life - and why we’ve overlooked its power until now - makes thrilling reading, finds Penny Sarchet
An exploration of how biological cooperation underpins all life - and why we’ve overlooked its power until now - makes thrilling reading, finds Penny
Read Full Story at New Scientist →Why This Matters
The idea that cooperation—not competition—is the driving force of evolution challenges decades of scientific orthodoxy, forcing us to reconsider everything from human societies to ecosystem resilience. It reframes life itself as a collaborative experiment rather than a cutthroat survival game, with profound implications for how we address global challenges like climate change and pandemics.
Background Context
Darwin’s emphasis on individual struggle shaped modern biology and economics, but early 20th-century scientists like Peter Kropotkin and later Lynn Margulis argued for the overlooked role of mutual aid. The rise of molecular biology in the 1950s further sidelined these ideas, prioritizing genes and selfishness as explanatory frameworks. Only now, with advances in epigenetics and microbiome research, is the scientific community rediscovering cooperation as a fundamental principle.
What Happens Next
As this paradigm gains traction, expect shifts in funding priorities toward collaborative research in fields like synthetic biology and conservation. Political and economic models may also evolve, with policymakers testing frameworks that incentivize collective action over zero-sum competition. The biggest question remains whether academia, industry, and governments can integrate these insights fast enough to address urgent crises.
Bigger Picture
This emerging view aligns with broader cultural movements skeptical of hyper-individualism, from the rise of cooperative business models to the backlash against neoliberal economic policies. It also intersects with urgent ecological imperatives, as cooperation is increasingly recognized as the key to ecosystem stability. In an era of division, the science of togetherness may offer both a mirror and a blueprint for human survival.
