How thoughts flow in the mind amazes me. I was searching for a reference when my eyes observed the image of spacetime below from Wikipedia.
The curvature of spacetime results from the interaction of a heavy body on space. The curvature of the spacetime affects the movement of the body, which in turn affects the curvature of spacetime. The feedback effect keeps spacetime evolvement constantly over time.
Spacetime of reciprocity
One question that popped up is if reciprocity-time interactions have similarity to the feedback effect of spacetime-body on each other. Reciprocity is an exchange of feedback effects. Reciprocity is a process of exchanging things with other people in order to gain mutual benefit.
Marketing people and salespersons employ reciprocity on large scales. They give free items to potential customers with the hope they would reciprocate by buying from them. People do favors to other people hoping for reciprocity from them in the future.
Not all acts of reciprocity are equal. There are three types of reciprocity: positive reciprocity, negative reciprocity, and balanced reciprocity. If you give, hoping for less is positive reciprocity. If you give and expect more this is negative reciprocity. Balanced reciprocity is that what you give shall equate to what you expect back.
The question turns to do the three types of reciprocity curve their “spacetime” the same way and produce the same effect. What is the dynamics of reciprocity?
Negative reciprocity my change to feelings of victimization. Over time, the loser may feel fewer tendencies to reciprocate because of her/his feeling of exploitation. The weight of the feedback gets lesser and so the curvature of the reciprocity spacetime becomes less curved. The rate of reciprocity slows down.
I imagine the curvature of balanced reciprocity to be the least affected by time.
The opposite may happen with the positive reciprocity compared to that of negative reciprocity. The spacetime becomes more curved and reciprocity increases. As the curvature increases, the giver even gives more because she/he cannot stop themself from reciprocating being increasingly fallen on a more curved spacetime. However, eventually, the beneficiary of reciprocity will reciprocate more and the receiver shall compensate for all her/his sacrifices. Below, is a real-life story to explain this.
A living reciprocity story
I met with a man who pioneered the local manufacturing of electrical sets in Egypt. He told me his fascinating story. He started from a small supermarket to proceed to become a major franchise leader in his industry.
He left school because of his sudden responsibility to take care of his family. He started with a mini supermarket in a hot city. He placed clean water outside the supermarket with disposable cups so that people walking and feeling thirsty could drink. He could have offered water for sale but opted to give it free. People gradually appreciated him and started to walk in the mini supermarket in increasing numbers just to reciprocate his favor. Soon, his business flourished and his mini supermarket turned into a huge one.
One day he realized the increasing demand for electrical sets. He applied for a franchise with a reputable worldwide franchiser. They granted him the franchise when they heard his success story. His new business thrived and he became a powerhouse in his field.
That started as a small favor progressed to curve sharply the spacetime for him and thus accelerating his success.
You never lose to be a person with positive reciprocity.
Jeff- yes, but the common factor is that we both used tree as a metaphor.
Feelings of victimization is spreading lately in our region and this is a sad situation. It reflects some ugly human traits.
Ali — I don’t think this is the “tree” story to which you were referring, but it’s a GREAT lesson. I have to admit that at times I have experienced this: “Negative reciprocity my change to feelings of victimization.” I hate that feeling so I try to concentrate on just giving.