Community Quote by Christopher Ryan
““Some behaviors that seem normal to contemporary people (and which are therefore readily assumed to be universal) would quickly destroy many small-scale foraging societies, rendering them dysfunctional. Unrestrained self-interest, in particular, whether expressed as food-hoarding or excessive sexual possessiveness, is a direct threat to group cohesion and is therefore considered shameful and ridiculous.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan & Cacilda Jethá, 2010
Self‑interest that harms group survival is seen as shameful because it threatens cohesion in small societies.
In simple terms: Self‑interest that harms the group is considered shameful.
Key Takeaway
Beware selfish actions that damage community.
Themes
social behavior
cohesion
shame
anthropology
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- small‑scale foraging societies
- modern workplaces
- online communities
- family units
Key Concepts
evolutionary psychology
group dynamics
resource sharing
Questions to Reflect On
- How does selfishness affect group success?
- When is self‑interest beneficial?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize modern contexts and ignore cultural variations.
![“[Man] has imagined a heaven, and has left entirely out of it the supremest of all his delights, the one ecstasy that stands first and foremost in the heart of every individual of his race…sexual intercourse! It is as if a lost and perishing person in a roasting desert should be told by a rescuer…” quote by Christopher Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/939/christopher-ryan-4309_joy_man-has-imagined-a-heaven-and-has-left-e_187069.jpg)
![“The social [media channel] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection, and community. That's what there's too little of in today's mediascape, despite all the hoopla surrounding social tools. The promise…” quote by Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c85/umair-haque-25881_beauty_the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-bea_1270.jpg)
