Again, fitness functions aren't predetermined (by Darwin or anyone else) and they aren't static. Apex predators aren't required. The mosquito is the most deadly

Again, fitness functions aren't predetermined (by Darwin or anyone else) and they aren't static. Apex predators aren't required. The mosquito is the most deadly animal for humans (due to the diseases they transmit). About 1/4 to 1/3 of all human pregnancies end in miscarriage (which rarely has anything to do with any predators). My comment was intended to get people to think more broadly about what the components of the fitness function could be. I was also trying to point out that the fitness function for an employee doesn't exactly match the fitness function for the company. The delta is most likely what the OP was inquiring about. > tons of dumb herd animals who are heavily rewarded by grass Or they are evolved to take advantage of the low interest rate environment and VC funding model (lots of money thrown at rapid growth businesses in funding rounds).