Collaboration is better than competition

Given pro's definition for competition, which seems to be worded in such a way as to imply animosity, is not necessarily the way it is seen in the real world. Pro is correct in his first analogy of being wrecked on an island, it would be better to compete against the environment and work with your group. However I would say that this form of competition is a far off stretch from the topic pro is presenting, which is the competition between businesses. That being said pro makes some good points here, when humans come together and put our minds to something, we can reach distances greater than the sky. But none of these events have taken place without competition. The competition between the United States and Russia in the 50's and 60's known as the space race is a great example, what started essentially as an international pissing contest ended up in the space programs of today. So while the intent at the beginning may have been from misguided minds, the competition has allowed us to amass unimaginable data from the universe. Apple is another great example of how competition has led to innovation. While it is true that the company depends on the ideas of its people in order to drive forward, it also depends on the strength of its competitor. Apple fights a different fight than that of the aforementioned space race, however the goal of creating a better phone/computer, etc. is the same in both areas. If iPhone puts out a model with a flexible screen or some new technology that enhances memory it will then be motivation to Apple to come out with their own new twist. For consumers this competition is also important, as it gives businesses a reason to hold their standards, if you give me bad service at a diner there are other diners that can be visited. Therefore the persons working in most retail/customer service setting, knowingly or not, are competing for the costumers who come into there business. Pro then goes on to say that competition divides people. Given the definition provided for, which was focused on business aspects of competition, the word does not make sense, nor does it pertain to the argument of which is better, collaboration or competition, in a business setting as pro had first phrased it. On a personal note, it would seem that pro's perception of competition is fairly cynical as he does not seem to separate competition from beating someone else in order to feel superior. Competition can be defined best I think as a struggle, and it can be against someone in a friendly or unfriendly fashion, they can also be had with no one (climbing mountains), or against yourself (getting over that fear of the height). Pro also ties in some interesting assertions, claiming that racism has roots in competition, (and is therefore bad?) This is akin to saying, farming has ties to racism, therefore it is bad. Both statements may be true, however the conclusion is unjustified. In pro's closing statement he makes a questionable statement regarding motivation and competition, first he links society and education with materialism, and society to competition, but never does competition secure a link with materialism. Pro then asserts that if someone is inspired by their neighbor to try painting a masterpiece that it must be from this materialistic mindset, however it may just as easily be that seeing the painting her neighbor had made gave her confidence that she too could create an art piece. Sources:http://en.wikipedia.org..., http://businessgross.com..., http://www.consumer.ftc.gov..., http://www.ftc.gov.bb...