"Americans are born into a culture that teaches and celebrates independence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, self-interest, and self-determination. The American hero is the rugged individualist. This myth has many names but the message is always the same: Success is an individual enterprise and to suggest otherwise is almost un-American. . ."

"Everyone's first task is to 'unlearn' the lessons off individual achievement since in its extreme form, extreme individualism is a form of mental illness because (it indicates the individual is) out of touch with reality". . ."It is far better to tap the resources available in and through personal and business networks. These include ideas, information, leads, business opportunities, financial capital, emotional support, power, influence, goodwill, trust and cooperation."

The above quote is from an article in the business section of our local paper and is from a new book by Wayne Baker, a business authority from the University of Michigan Business School.

During the recent political discussion, comments were made about the effectiveness of competitive (capitalist) approaches as opposed to cooperative (socialist) approaches in motivating people to perform.

As a long time proponent of the idea that people who learn to cooperate, and are allowed to work in a non-threatening environment, will actually out-perform those who's primary motivation is cut-throat competition, I find Mr. Baker's comments quite interesting. I would like to present these remarks and open this subject up for discussion by my esteemed colleagues here at the Mudcat Meeting of the Minds.

To turn this question in a musical direction: Are you more motivated to practice your instrument looking forward to a contest/competition or a jam?