Re: How complex an agent?

[donalson]

If you want to be able to work back from a simulation result to components of
contributing dynamics, then you really need very simple agents to go with your 
complex
ones.  For example, I am working with a spatial metapopulation model.  The goal 
of the
research is to understand the dynamics in a host/parasitoid system where the 
inside of
the tree provides a partial refuge for the prey.  I started with a Delay 
Differential
Equation Model that allows me to test a "well-mixed" version of the spatial 
model
against a mathmatical result.  This really helps with debugging.  My next model 
is a
stochastic birth/death version of the DDE model which allowed testing of 
effects of
demographic stochasticity in the absence of space.  I am at present testing the
spatial model in the absence of any refuge.  This turned out to be quite 
important
because within the parameter space I in which I am working, there are very 
strong
spatial effects, even without a spatial refuge.  Without the previous step, if 
I ever
get to the refuge gradient (sigh...), I would not have known that that there 
were
underlying spatial dynamics involved, seperate from the refuge.

I have to say, this is like trying to untie a gordian knot.  Right now I am 
trying to
determine how, when prey spatial distributions are not random, the amount of 
time a
predator stays in a cell between moves effects the dynamics.  Good Luck!

Cheers,

   D3



Sven N. Thommesen wrote:

> At 12:34 AM 11/11/1998 +0100, you wrote:
> >       Dear Sven,
> >
> >       it seems to me that the statements of the last message of Glen in this
> >list, related to the discussion opened by James Marshall, are very
> >important in your perspective.
> >
> >       A guess: your interesting classification is mainly related to the 
> > software
> >design problem; the choice introduced by Glen (human cognitive constituent
> >functions vs. statistical - and I add: mathematical or formal - modeling of
> >human behavior) goes directly to the core of the agent construction problem.
> >
> >       Pietro
>
> Definitely! I have already put it in the pile with a couple of other
> responses I received privately. I'll come back to the issue when I've had
> time to digest the responses.
>
> -Sven
>
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