Collective dynamics and model verification: Connecting kinetic modeling to data

Collective dynamics with tendency: the emergence of leaders

Eitan Tadmor

University of Maryland

We discuss the collective dynamics of systems driven by the “social engagement” of agents with their local neighbors. Canonical models are based on environmental averaging, with prototype examples in opinion dynamics, flocking, self-organization of biological organisms, and rendezvous in mobile networks. The large time behavior of such systems leads to the formation of clusters, and in particular, the emergence of “consensus of opinions”. We argue that in many relevant scenarios, social interactions involve the tendency of agents “to move ahead”. We introduce a new family of models for collective dynamics with tendency. The large time behavior of these new systems leads to the emergence of “leaders”.