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Small-Scale Question Sunday for February 12, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I think in primate populations, older individuals both male and female can hold onto alpha even past when they're physically the most fit because of alliances and momentum. But eventually a younger fit individual will try challenging them and become a new alpha once the old individuals get sufficiently past their prime. I think in some primates, an alpha female won't always be physically challenged before she dies of natural causes and instead her alpha status will be passed to her daughter if she arranged her social alliances right.

I don't think that's a good metaphor for modern human society, since leadership and power comes basically entirely social alliances, not a combination of personal fitness and social alliances.