In naturally occurring complex systems (An Introduction to Complex Adaptive Systems) such as nature's ecology or business, there are two ways to look at the purpose of the individual actor in relation to the system (Redundancy makes systems stronger) as a whole.

The first is disheartening:

It's a dog-eat-dog world out there, and if you don't eat another dog you'll be eaten yourself. It's survival of the fittest (Survival of the fittest). Cold, unyielding, harsh.

The second is the exact opposite:

There is always a space for an individual element to find a niche to fill and thrive within. For example, weeds only grow in soil that's unhealthy and impossible for other plants to grow in - and that weed serves a very important ecological function (Gaia’s Garden).

The relationship here is a producer-product (The producer-product relationship) relationship, where different actors have needs that must be filled to thrive, as well as products they produce. Other actors in the system produce things that will fill the needs of the first actor, collectively creating an overlapping net (Antifragility) of producers that the first actor can thrive within. The products of the first actor contribute to creation of other actor's niche environments. What it takes is for an actor to be opportunistic enough to find and rott themselves within the environment of its ideal niche.

These niches are constantly in flux (Life's ups and downs are normal). For example, in Gaia's Garden, there is mentioned (Gaia’s Garden) a sun tolerant plant perennial that had come to be covered in shade because of a maturing of the garden. The lack of sunlight and too-wet roots caused the plant to rot and die. If that plant had moved to a sunnier spot (Learning is integral to our eternal progression) again, it would have continued to thrive.

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