Apple TV’s 'Pluribus' Exposes the Fragility of Cooperation |
What does Apple TV's "Pluribus" show us about human cooperation? Spoilers included.
In "Pluribus," humanity is presented with an evolutionary ultimatum. An alien virus rapidly transforms the global population into a unified hive mind—a single, seamless consciousness where the concept of “I” dissolves into “we.” This collective, reminiscent of eusocial insects like ants or bees, operates with perfect optimality. There is no conflict and no self-interest. Resources are conglomerated into central repositories, knowledge is universally shared, and every action is optimized for the efficiency and survival of the whole.
The show’s dramatic tension, however, lies with the handful of remaining uninfected humans. As they scramble to survive in a world redesigned for the hive, their desperate attempts to work together showcase the profound fragility of human cooperation. Their alliances are shaky, their goals are misaligned, and trust is lacking. One character seeks only personal pleasure. Another is paralyzed by the desire to reconnect with now-hived family members. The protagonist, Carol, finds herself tragically isolated in her quest to save humanity. She tries to rally others by sharing critical information—a tactic of informational asymmetry—but it fails. No one shares her ultimate goal; there is no overlapping interest.
This struggle shows a truth "Pluribus" unveils: The hive’s cooperation is a biological fait accompli, while human cooperation is a fragile, hard-won cultural achievement. We are not designed for selfless collectivism. Our cooperation is a complex negotiation, constantly threatened by the very evolutionary pressures that also make it possible: kin preference, reciprocal exchange, and competing individual interests. The show brilliantly uses the sci-fi horror........