GREAT thoughts on packs, alphas, and I like the example of songwriting.

The Pack nature of animals is something I hadn’t thought about before.

I think you’re right that pride plays a larger role than money as most people find success through accomplishment rather than monetary volume or stuff accumulation.

Always great insight from you T. Michael!

Thanks again.

Just take a look at Wolves, Coyotes, Hyenas etc. etc. and the success of the hunt when they cooperate together, and pull game down, the pack as a whole works together and then live another day to eat, exist and propagate.

But the flip side is that it is the purest form of Communism and each individual “Knows” its role within the packs.
You have an Alpha male and an Alpha Female, there are elderly aunts and uncles which can no longer effectively hunt, so they stay back at the den to look over and protect the young.
And the most cruel part (at least to us modern humans) is how when the Alpha animal can no longer effectively lead, they will be killed either by a direct challenge, or the whole pack turns upon, and savagely eliminates them.
(as a dog man myself,I could write volumes on the subject)

The same rings true for we humans as well, albeit it with more civilized methods (by whose standards?) but the beginning, middle and end of our partnerships always have a single common theme running through them.
And that is, each individual knows his strengths and weaknesses, and will use his strengths to help fortify the partnership.

It is when an individual wants to expand upon what he perceives as a strong point outside of his appointed responsibilities, and that is when the real trouble starts.

A simplified example would be when you get two talented individuals together to form a song writing partnership.
One, is exceptional at lyrical content while the other is equally exceptional at writing the musical content of their songs.
Both, are Alpha individuals and of course are very accomplished at either but, the current assigned duties are what makes the partnership work like a well oiled machine.

It is when these individuals begin to flex their respective muscles in areas where the other has done quite well and really doesn’t need any help in doing what he does best.

Sometimes these are overlapping responsibilities yes, but for the most part the Alpha in the lyrical department, needs to back off and let the Alpha in the musical department do what he does best, and of course, Visa Versa.
It has worked wonderfully so far, so why change the formula!

The next thing you know the partnership is in dire trouble and has lost it’s direction.
Pride, as you say, plays an important role in the destruction of what was once a great partnership. Money, not so much, and especially when both have quite enough of it.

This is why at the onset of their career they were known as only Brooks & Dunn,
In the middle of their career they became known as “Kix” Brooks & “Ronnie” Dunn.
Now at the end of their partnership they are (Very “Madonna” like) known as: Kix and Ronnie, so that a distinct separation and break from the old “Brooks & Dunn” is readily apparent.

But we humans are best known for trying to fix things that are not broken in the first place now aren’t we