A community thrives through reciprocation. Someone who is good at one thing helps out with someone who is not so good at that thing, and then that person who is not so good at the thing, but good at another thing helps out that someone who was good at the other thing. This phenomenon can occur outside our normal understanding of trade, or dealings in material goods.
Alliances are made to extend the networks of reciprocation. These associations can break down if the current ceases to flow.
