A research tool for the study of human collective behavior
Experimental system
Synch.Live is a novel, open-technology, experimental framework for research on human collective behavior. Our novel system, developed with neuroscientists, is the first to use the emergence algorithm to measure collective behavior in people and the first to demonstrate that people can aggregate in flock-like behavior, without a leader.
Higher connectedness
Synch.Live scientists found that members of successful groups showed higher connectedness to others, suggesting that flock-like collective movement promotes social cohesion and cooperation. Participants who were more aware of working strategies were significantly more likely to succeed, suggesting that individual awareness and individual contributions enhance collective problem solving.
Emergence is beautiful
We asked 44 people to rate 10 second clips of Synch.Live gameplay for beauty; subjects rated trajectories with higher emergence values as significantly more beautiful, suggesting a link between the quantitative theory of emergence and the qualitative aesthetic aspect of flocking. A follow up study asked subjects to rate the clips as more or less patterned. The more emergent, the more patterned, the more beautiful! (Paper forthcoming.)