January 22, 1998
Segregation Simulator - Small
By PETER WAYNER
ry these experiments:
- Set the threshold to 2. This means that people will only
move to a empty square if it has two neighbors of the same
group. Leave the radius at 1.
- Press "stop simulation." Set the mouse to draw closed
cells. These can simulate industrial areas or large
barriers like railroad tracks or freeways. Start the
simulation again. Often groups will end up controlling opposite
sides of the barrier.
- Increase the radius to 2. Now there are 24 possible neighbors.
This calculation weights the distance as explained in the
FAQ.
Peter Wayner at pwayner@nytimes.com welcomes your comments and suggestions.