Physics of Society

Abstract

“After inanimate matter and “biophysics”, physics now applies its methods and tools to the understanding of human and animal groups. Its explanatory and predictive power can help understanding many complex problems: collective motion (spontaneous formation of pedestrian lines, fish schools, road traffic…), collective decisions and estimations (synchronization phenomena, “wisdom” of crowds…), complex networks (Internet, Web, commerce, transport, social networks…), financial markets (“econophysics”), competitive systems (poker tournaments, sports championships…), or the emergence of new ideas/concepts/fashions. This conference will give an overview of this new “physics of society”, with its methodology illustrated on a few detailed examples.