In reply to jay cross.

I don't define cooperation as working together around a common purpose and neither does Stephen Downes in his quote.

Jérôme Delacroix provides a similar perspective on “cooperation” as the suitable term for what we do in networks. Jérôme explains why his site is called Cooperatique and not Collaboratique – collaboration happens around some kind of plan or structure, while cooperation presumes the freedom of individuals to join and participate. He also says that cooperation, not collaboration, is a driver of creativity. Collaboration is focused on an objective, while cooperation is being a good citizen (sharing and helping out with no extrinsic reward). I think cooperation is an enabler of serendipity.