Novel Skill As Currency

The other day NPR did a story on economics and monkeys. Essentially a researcher observed that monkeys use "grooming" as a way to sort out their societal hierarchy. Top monkeys get groomed by lower level monkeys and never have to groom anyone. Low level monkeys groom top level monkeys and are never groomed by anyone. Got it?

So they took a low level monkey and taught her an important skill. They taught her to open a jar of apples. All of the sudden, BAM, she became a top monkey and was groomed and pampered and yada, yada... She actually changed her status in society by acquiring a skill novel to the group.

THEN, they trained a second monkey to open the jar of apples. Guess what? The PERCEPTION of the value of the skill went down... and attention and grooming paid to both "skillful" monkeys was significantly less than the first monkey.

Now I don't know if this study seems significant to you all.... but I find this INCREDIBLE. First, it shows that the law of supply and demand in found in nature. And that other groups beyond humans have an economical society. But most of all... it shows that all members of a society are not equal. And that your position in society (according to nature) is based on merit and unique skill and what you contribute to the group. Novel idea, eh?

Point of the story? Find a niche in medicine... (not necessarily a SPECIALTY)... and be good at it. Whatever you want... being the world's expert on Cushing's Syndrome in latino countries, or an expert in clinical symptoms of helminth infections, or start an OB service in rural Alaska. SOMETHING that gives you value and that you can contribute.

My friend Dr. J also gave me this advice a while back... If you have value in medicine, you will always have security... If you contribute nothing, you are always insecure and defensive towards those who do have value.