Infectious Altruism
Finally--good news about being good!This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science Scientists at Harvard and the University of California, San Diego conducted a game to study altruism in social networks. Subjects were divided into groups of four. Each person got 20 units of money which he could horde or donate to a group fund. Why donate? Because at the end, everyone gets 0.4 units for every unit in the community chest. If EVERYONE gives their whole stash, each player walks away with 32 units. Problem? A player's generosity can backfire if only he gives. Results? Whenever one person gave freely in the first round, others in their group were more generous in THE NEXT ROUND. This triggered more giving in the THIRD round, and so forth. The generosity bug spread like a virus until it infected EVERYONE, tripling the money earned. Researchers say a similar contagious process could have contributed to the evolution of cooperation in early human societies. The finding also suggests small positive gestures can indirectly brighten the lives of dozens of people. So come on, brothers and sisters! Practice random acts of kindness! 'Cause scientists say so.
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