The addiction module as a social force

Abstract

The study of DNA virus persistence and RNA virus evolution has defined the concepts of addiction modules and quasispecies which can respectively explain the persistence of virus information and the cooperative evolution of viral populations (including defective virus). Together, these concepts can be applied to a wide array of phenomena that emerge from stable virus colonization of host. Since viruses are naturally competent in host code but also extend that code, they are natural agents for code editing. They are also natural agents to create new host identity (self), although this typically involves cooperative populations of agents. In this chapter I outline how the combined concepts of addiction modules and quasispecies can be applied to understand a wide array of phenomena, involving cooperation, network formation, symbiosis, immunity and group identity, all of which are also examined from a virus first perspective. I trace how essentially all systems of host identity and immunity can be examined from this way and show viral involvement. I also examine the emergence of human social identity from this perspective which provides many new insights for the origin of social cooperation.