ncase.me: Parable of the polygons

Continuing from the recent text on Schelling model we would like to recommend reading text by Vi Hart and Nicky Case called "Parable of the polygons". It is written in rather playful manner, though it also manages to touch sensitive social and political topics. The text also contains couple of neatly looking interactive demonstrations.

Read the "Parable of the polygons" »

See other interesting interactive tools authored by Nicky Case »

Voter model

In 1973 two British scientists proposed an elementary model of spatial conflict between two distinct species [1]. The results of this model were heavily dependent on the dimensionality of the topology on which modeling occurred, which was rather interesting phenomenon at that time. In contemporary science this model is rather popular, thought now it is known as the voter model. This text discusses the simplest version of the model.

LSE debate: "Too much maths, too little history: The problem of economics"

Recently one of the most prestigious schools of economics, London School of Economics, held an interesting debate between economists who prefer historical retrospective and economists who prefer mathematical modeling. Interestingly enough both sides of the debate agreed that neoclassical economic theory doesn't work well. But the answer why and its implications differ. Below you should see a YouTube video with the recording of the debate. We invite you to listen.

Schelling's segregation model

Around 1970 American economist Tom Schelling published couple well cited articles in which he tried to explain racial segregation observed in larger cities in US [1]. He tried to comprehend how and why racial neighborhoods were forming and becoming so prominent. He wanted to know if ubiquitous racial segregation is caused by rising racial tensions or the same result might be present in a rather tolerant society.