My take on this emphasis on being first: it's a reflection of how we view society as a competition, in business, warfare, and interpersonal relationships. To be

My take on this emphasis on being first: it's a reflection of how we view society as a competition, in business, warfare, and interpersonal relationships. To be "first to market", to have "first-mover advantage", is to demonstrate competence and superiority. Planting a flag on the moon was, partly, such a move. There's some truth to it, I believe, but the mentality is seemingly applied too broadly, to areas where there aren't any advantages - other than maybe reputation (which could be considered a real advantage). I agree with you that the apparent focus on "me first" is misplaced, when the effort to create a reliable vaccine is a global concern. The emphasis should be on its efficacy, in solving the immediate problem together.