What is modern individualism? How does this play into the idea of antifragility?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Modern individualism is the idea that the survival of one is more important than the survival of a group. This can be harmful in terms of antifragility and survival of a species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more about modern individualism and antifragility below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
In the case of the species, it\u2019s the genetic information that is preserved and strengthened as individuals die; the biologist Robert Trivers explored this conflict between individuals and genetics with his concept of the \u201cselfish gene.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To see the necessity of evolution, which is fueled by danger and unpredictability, consider a hypothetical organism that doesn\u2019t reproduce and never ages. Sooner or later, it would be bound to encounter a situation\u2014perhaps a predator, an accident, or a disease\u2014that it\u2019s not prepared for. Unless this organism could somehow predict the future<\/a> with perfect accuracy, or was prepared for literally any possibility, something would eventually kill it and that would be the end. There would be no chance for antifragility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if we consider an organism\u2019s genetic information rather than the organism itself, we can see antifragility at work. Organisms that aren\u2019t well suited to their environment will die out, while the ones that are suited to it will survive and pass on their genes. Therefore, the population as a whole will become stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n