2. The First Layer of the Bubble Theory: The Symbiotic Duo

The foundation and first layer of the Bubble Theory is the symbiotic duo, where the desires of the species and the desires of the self (an individual member of the species) reside. Despite the fact that these desires are often at odds with each other, one cannot survive without the other. Without individuals, there is no species to speak of. Without the species (i.e., other individuals in the same species), an individual cannot survive for long, let alone lead a fulfilling life. This symbiotic relationship between the two entities is the fundamental force that drives how human society operates. In this chapter, I discuss the scientific basis of this relationship, and follow with a detailed analysis of the misaligned interests of the duo—specifically, the misaligned objectives between species and individuals, and the misaligned objectives of different individuals. Finally, I discuss the mechanisms behind the delicate equilibrium of the duo. The principle of self-insufficiency forces individuals to compromise for the good of species. The principle of childlessness forces species to defer to the needs of individuals. Finally, at a more fundamental level, the law of miniminds states that desires of the species and desires of the self are embedded in each individual’s mind, and an intrapersonal equilibrium between the two types of desires exists within each of us. These three forces together ensure the broad equilibrium we observe in human society. This structure, however, is not static. It evolves in both the desires of the duo and the equilibrium, and onerization has accelerated this change.