>They did propogate because they did serve the societies, just not necessarily the individuals in those societies. The article didn't dive into this implicatio

>They did propogate because they did serve the societies, just not necessarily the individuals in those societies. The article didn't dive into this implication, but it also comes up with bird divination (i.e. random selection) to pick crop locations. It made sure the society as a whole wouldn't collapse because of a disaster in the most productive fields. But there had to be unlucky rice farmers who were trying to grow rice in crappy fields. They might not have prospered and raised a large family, despite doing the exact same thing as the people with good fields. Traditions can be overall good while punishing individuals.