Beneficence Gene

The media has become so cynical that talking heads expressed surprise that Haitians were behaving so well in the face of disaster. The expected looting and violence just didn't happen. Rather, everyone did the best they could to help.
Parts of the world reacted quickly. Those with the most to give rather than being greedy or asking 'how will this benefit me?' rushed to help people who were non-existent to them four days ago.
I am never surprised by beneficence. I think it is a dominance display. Just like a dominant chimp strikes out to show its alpha standing, so does human beneficence demonstrate dominance, the strongest giving and protecting the weak.
President Bush lost all credibility as a leader when he failed to help the Katrina victims. Everyone knew it showed he was a weak leader, but the 'selfish gene' theory has become so entrenched that no one analyzed why a bully who ignores the helpless is perceived as weak, even while holding the title of the most powerful man in the world. Now that President Obama and the USA have shown leadership in rescuing the helpless in Haiti, it is no wonder that our sense of national pride is restored.
So the next time someone brings up Game Theory or that evolution demands self interest above all else, think about how integral giving and helping is to our species. Think about who we respect more, the bully or the patron.
Nancy Sherer