Kindness towards strangers driven by selfish motives, creating informal insurance
The article explores how people make decisions in competitions and how kindness towards strangers can be motivated by self-interest. It shows that in competitions, people may not always choose the best technology, and feedback can influence their effort levels. Additionally, being kind to others can benefit oneself in the long run, even if it seems selfless. Inequality and different levels of risk can make cooperation harder, leading to divisions within society. Overall, the research suggests that people's actions are influenced by a mix of self-interest, social norms, and the desire for cooperation.