Simulating Individual Behavior

[Paul Fishwick]

I would be interested in knowing how the SWARM project might
impact social simulation. We can start this off as a research
discussion, and then perhaps, this will help to stop the flood
of "unsubscriptions." The idea of simulating a system by going
down to the atomic level is something that most disciplines have
dealt with in one form or another. Consider, for example, 
ecosystem modeling. In ecosystem modeling, there is some
controversy about individual-based modeling (IBM) and yet this
modeling approach holds promise in predicting the evolution of
a ecosystem. A key problem with IBM is not that it is necessarily
computationally prohibitive, but that not enough data are
available to calibrate the model, or individuals participating
within the model. If this is a problem for modeling alligators
or wood storks, I would venture that the problem for human
systems would be manifold. What kind of model is used to
model the human. A logical choice of model type for human objects
in the simulation is one based on AI techniques: rule-based or
operator based systems. On the other hand, what level of
detail is required to model the human element? Perhaps, it
need not be detailed. A good example of high level modeling
of humans can be found in emergency planning simulation, which
is a subject of interest in the Society for Computer Simulation
since they have sponsored many conferences in this area. If
you have a hazard or peril within an enclosed structure, how
should the humans react? Modeling the human in this instance
could be much easier than modeling for a less-streneous social
goal. Thoughts?

-paul

-- 
Paul A. Fishwick               E-Mail: address@hidden
Dept. of Computer & Info       Phone & FAX: (352) 392-1414
 Science and Engineering       WWW: http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~fishwick
University of Florida          (PGP Key available at above WWW address)
P. O. Box 116120
332 Bldg. CSE, Gainesville, FL 32611-6120


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