Human Nature’s Deepest Drive: Self-Interest Is Fundamental

People’s most fundamental drive is self-interest—that’s the hardest-wired impulse there is.

Red-packet campaigns generate a share rate 30% higher than ordinary promotions. Why? Because referring friends in earns you extra lottery entries; it’s self-serving.

To compete with WeChat, Alipay offers double-sided subsidies to both shoppers and merchants at checkout. That’s why cashiers will suggest Alipay as an option—even if WeChat Pay is available—by pointing out the red-packet discount. When I heard that, Alipay was an automatic choice; I don’t care which platform I use. And merchants are happy to steer customers that way because they pocket a rebate too. It’s all self-interest.

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