Competition vs. Cooperation

In this meetup we will talk about competition and cooperation as two antithetic ways how to relate oneself to one's environment.

Some of us tend to base their thoughts and actions towards others on a competitive world view. Others might prefer to base their engagement with the outside world on a cooperative world view trying to look for synergies wherever possible.

In this meetup we will explore these two antithetic ideas that inspire our thoughts and actions. Amongst others, we will look into the following questions:

• What valid reasons speak for a competitive stance towards our environment? What for a cooperative one?
• Which of the two do you think is preminent in our society? Have you lived in societies or cultures where it was different?
• Which of the two do you tend to follow in your life? Has it ever been different? Is there a difference between your private and professional life, and if so, is it justified?
• Have you ever made the experience that you have chosen one stance that unexpectedly turned out to be the right (or the wrong) one?
• How can we best balance the two?

If you've never participated before, here's what to expect:

• 2 hours of deep, interesting conversations in a respectful environment that will elevate your spirit and give you new ideas for life, work or relationships.
• a supportive group of people sharing their own unique experiences and viewpoints, and encouraging you to do the same.
• a rich mix of newcomers and regulars from different countries and cultures for a broad diversity of opinions and experiences.

In order to cover the room expenses we will ask for voluntary donations

For some inspiration on the topic, you can look at these quotes:

• Having no competition is a bad thing. Competition makes you try to improve yourself all the time. - Shu Qi

• And while the law of competition may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race, because it ensures the survival of the fittest in every department. - Andrew Carnegie

• Competition brings out the best in products and the worst in people. - David Sarnoff

• Competition gives me energy. It keeps me focused. - Conor McGregor

• Most people who watch sports don't understand that our true nature is to cooperate, not compete. We have been force-fed lies and reshaped to please malicious overlords for millennia. - Duane Alan Hahn

• Do not hold the delusion that your advancement is accomplished by crushing others. - Marcus Tullius Cicero

• You were placed on this earth to create, not to compete. - Dr. Robert Anthony

• To free the mind from the habit of competition, we must see in detail the process by which the mind is ensnared by competition. - Marguerite Beecher

• Competition has been shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation, which is the thing we must strive for today, begins where competition leaves off. - Franklin D. Roosevelt

• If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. - Unknown

• The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself. - Washington Allston

• I'm in competition with myself and I'm losing. - Roger Waters

• There's always competition in the world, but you don't have to be enemies. You can empower each other. - Justine Skye

• Of all human powers operating on the affairs of mankind, none is greater than that of competition. - Henry Clay

• The problem with competition is that it takes away the requirement to set your own path, to invent your own method, to find a new way. - Seth Godin