Itai Cohen along with PhD students Jesse Silverberg and Matt Bierbaum are researching emergent phenomena in human behavior. Their recent article, which has drawn quite a lot of attention, looks at the collective motion that occurs inside a mosh pit during heavy metal concerts. The authors have developed a model of the behavior dubbed Mobile Active Simulated Humanoids, or MASHers. Check out the Cohen group website for updates on the story and interactive simulations of the MASHers in action.

View story in the press:

NBC, National Geographic, Popular Science, New Scientist, The Atlantic, The Chicago Reader, The Huffington Post (written by co-author J.L.S.)

Photo credit: Ulrike Biets