Robert Mann wrote:

>         The idea of competitivity in ecology is almost entirely a
> projection from the filthy 'economics' mentality (one's gain must be
> anther's loss).  Nature is characterised mostly by cooperation, not
> competitivity.  E Goldsmith 'The Way' reviews this rather thoroughly.

I am not familiar with Goldsmith, but know Darwin rather well.  How does
ecological cooperation fit with the concept of natural selection?  Also, why
do you characterize competition in nature as a "filthy projection"?  Why
could it not, as well as cooperation, be neutral?  Why stigmatize any natural
process?

Ted Fischer
Dexter, Michigan USA