I think experts naturally tend to befriend each other, for the simple reason that they are the only one who can understand each other. And that even when there

I think experts naturally tend to befriend each other, for the simple reason that they are the only one who can understand each other. And that even when there is rivalry in the ideas. Maybe being alone at the top is good for the ego, and some people like that, but it is also boring. If you are at the top in some field, is is probably your passion, something you want to talk about all day, but no one understands you, you feel like you are talking to babies, repeating "obvious" things over and over. On the opposite, you can't find anyone to teach anything new to you, being a pioneer is nice, but if you get stuck, you can't count on anyone but yourself, and it can become tedious. So, when you finally meet someone on your level, it is someone you want to keep. At last, you can talk with someone who understand you, who can provide a meaningful input, and even teach you a thing or two. And even if there is some rivalry, you have a worthy opponent, not an annoyance.