The chameleon avoids standing out like a tasty morsel thereby surviving longer than otherwise. Though the chameleon adopts many appearances, all are consistent with its fullest development and fulfillment. The chameleon's change from one color to another is not only automatic, it is always for the good. The most interesting thing about this is that though we think it is only a chameleon capability, in fact, if we allow for effects other than in appearance, the chameleon effect is ubiquitous in nature. For example, most living things change their energy-using attributes to accommodate changes in temperature.
Survival is enhanced and, assuming there is no better survival technique, nothing is lost.
Humans, too, have chameleon effects. Moreover, one of these has social and political implications activists need to understand and act on. I'm not talking about people's ability to change various chemical, glandular, and other features to accommodate changing temperature, nor our adrenal capabilities for dealing with danger, nor anything so automatic. These effects serve human survival nicely, without undue side effects, political or otherwise. But consider the process by which people mold their allegiances, beliefs, values, and behaviors to fit the personality requirements of the contexts they encounter.