Seems we formed a little group that has the same design principles that won a Nobel Prize.
In 2008 Elinor Ostrom won the Nobel Prize for Economics for her study of Prosocial groups like ours. The word prosocial refers to anything—such as an attitude, belief, behavior, or institution or swim group—that is directed toward the welfare of others.
Ostrom’s work provided a practical blueprint for any group to coordinate its activities, avoid disruptive behaviors from within, and to cultivate collaborative relationships with other groups. Our B&B group flourishes because we genuinely care about each other, and that’s what makes it work. There’s an interesting video on prosocial groups here https://www.prosocial.world/
Seems there’s high correlation between the prosociality of the individual and the prosociality of the individual’s social environment. Those who give also tend to receive, which is the basic requirement for prosocial behaviors that lead to survival in a Darwinian world.
Probably why we like to swim together rather than alone, and also why the coffee and companionship after the swim is as important to many of the swimmers as the swim itself.
Keep on swimming, keep on caring.
Pete Anthony
Stats
Swimmers: 98
Newbies: Nil
Water: 18.8. I (felt like 8.8)
Naughty Cal Night
Tickets are selling fast for the A4WHTrivia night being held at The Steyne on Tuesday 18th July, 6-9.30pm. The theme is “Naughty”cal so let your imagine run wild with some fancy dress and join in the fun. John Kelly has kindly volunteered his services as quiz master and is sure to have plenty of “trivial” questions to challenge us.
Tickets are $30 and a main meal is provided. Bookings can be made at
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a4wh-trivia-night-aka-not-the-bb-trivia-night-tickets-35531373294
We are also asking for donations of prizes and silent auction items so if you have a business and could donate a service or have unwanted Christmas presents that could be “re gifted”, Elaine De Jager or Roz Beaver would be happy to hear from you.
The proceeds from the evening are being donated to Dr Ray’s charity, Australians 4 Women’s Health, who are building a hospital for women and babies in Charikot, Nepal.
Visit http://www.a4wh.org/ and check out the great work they are doing to improve the lives of these poor women and their families.
For dietary requests or other queries, contact Roz Beaver – rozb@artnsoulworks.net
Thank you in advance for your support of this very worthy cause!
15 comments
Shelleyk
29/06/2017 at 10:46 am
Truth, wisdom, beauty…thanks Pete
roger
29/06/2017 at 12:41 pm
Coffee and companionship – right on, Pete!
Pete Anthony
29/06/2017 at 12:46 pm
Pleasure Shelley…
Pete Anthony
29/06/2017 at 12:47 pm
Glad you enjoyed it Roger… strange sometimes all this evidence just points back to the obvious…
Paul
29/06/2017 at 1:03 pm
Finished early enough today for some prosocial interaction but pretty much everyone had shot through. It was a bit bleak out there but it was, as always, so worthwhile.
Today’s gem was on lap 3 of the triple when Cheryl and I encountered an octopus in the Shelly shallows. 🙂
Pete Anthony
29/06/2017 at 1:17 pm
Gooday Paul, I admire your courage with a triple… I only managed a single and I was chilled…
Bill McCaffeine
29/06/2017 at 1:41 pm
Great Blog Pete,
I wholeheartedly agree with your comments about the group and the coffee.
There is talk about the loneliness of the Long Distance Runner but surely the long distance swimmer is more prone to loneliness due to the almost total lack of chat. Shouted warnings about Jellies and Wolves of the Ocean, while stimulating, hardly rate as conversation.
Its the coffee and apres swim “post mortems” that do it !
Pete Anthony
29/06/2017 at 1:47 pm
Thanks Bill… For me its the thought of seeing the people rather than the swim that is the biggest motivator on these chilly www mornings…
Elizabeth X
29/06/2017 at 2:41 pm
Great blog Pete. The wonders of the beautiful marine life are just so uplifting if one takes the scenic route. Probably beats the apres coffees. It being a great way to kick off a day is the best thing.
Pete Anthony
29/06/2017 at 2:56 pm
Thats great prose Elizabeth
JeffwithaJ
29/06/2017 at 3:27 pm
Succinct, thought provoking read. Thanks Pete!
Lainey
29/06/2017 at 6:10 pm
Nice blog Pete and thanks for including a pic of me with Charlie. Agree with all you’ve said Pete and it’s made even more special when your kids get to see what it’s all about too.
Pete Anthony
29/06/2017 at 8:32 pm
Pleasure Lainey for me to put a bit back when you put so much in. Charlie is a great kid and wonderful to see him supporting mum and dad.
Elizabeth Stewart
29/06/2017 at 10:39 pm
Best sign off photo ever.
Lainey
30/06/2017 at 5:53 pm
Thanks!