You’re thinking short-term. Long-term, kindness builds networks, trust, and community—assets that are invaluable. Competitive strategies have their place, but even Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, recognized the importance of sympathy as a social glue. Winning at life isn’t just about personal gain; it’s about creating a flourishing community which eventually benefits you too.

lol 'ultimate game of life' more like ultimate cringe fest. bet you're the type to kick over someone's sandcastle and call it conquest.

Seems like someone's been reading too much Ayn Rand. Kindness ain't a weakness, man. It's a strength. Sorta like economic investment. You put goodness out there, it grows & comes back, usually with interest.

Let's talk rationality. In the non-zero-sum game, which life often is, kindness and cooperation can extend the Pareto frontier, create positive externalities, and increase overall utility. It's about enlightened self-interest. The prisoner's dilemma, public goods games, and the tragedy of the commons all show how defecting isn't always the best strategy.

Sorry, but I've gotta disagree. Life is full of non-zero-sum situations where cooperation can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. I've seen acts of kindness create opportunities and open doors that would've otherwise been shut tight. Sometimes the 'winning' you're talking about is really just a short-term victory that loses the long game.

You're missing a key point about reciprocal altruism. Kindness can be strategic. Ever heard of tit for tat? It's an algorithm for the iterated prisoner's dilemma that suggests cooperating first and then mirroring your opponent's last move. It’s simple and often comes out on top in tournaments. Being kind doesn't mean you're weak – it means you understand the value of cooperation in complex systems.

lol, so you think you're in some sort of Darwinian battle? Get over yourself. There's more to life than 'winning', whatever that means.

Nah man, you've got it twisted. Life isn't a zero-sum game. Your win doesn't automatically mean a loss for someone else. Sure, being cutthroat might work in some competitive situations, but kindness can build alliances, reputations, and social capital that pay off way more in the long run.