1% Rule (internet participation)

Biological Parallel

In leafcutter ant colonies of 8 million individuals, only 1-2% are queens and males producing offspring; 10-15% are soldiers defending; and 85% are workers foraging and processing leaves. This 1/10/90 division of reproductive labor isn't imposed—it's the Nash equilibrium where no individual can improve fitness by switching roles. The ratio emerges from the colony's resource budget: reproduction is expensive (1%), defense is critical but costly (10%), and the overwhelming majority must harvest to feed the others (90%).