[extropy-chat] Effective relationships [Resend]

[Jef Allbright]

Robert Bradbury wrote: 

> One may ask under what conditions are survival probabilities enhanced by partnering?

Some time ago I posted what I thought was a provocative and insightful idea, but didn't get much feedback.  I'd like to try again here:

Might it be that the most effective relationship structure in terms of cost/benefit might be the triad? I'm not talking about polyamory or ménage à trois but rather a stable, committed triadic relationship between three individuals in any combination of genders. 

I recognize that this would require individuals of greater than average self-awareness to avoid destructive two-against-one dynamics. I also recognize that nature settled on diadic relationships in most cases, but I think human culture represents a more highly developed phase that may support and reward more highly developed relationship structures at various scales.

The advantages I see are significantly increased synergies, built-in tie-breaking, and possibly an inherent 3D structural stability similar to that of a tetrahedron over a planar object. 

Comments?

- Jef