How Crowd Behavior Acts Like Flowing Water

When you have been engulfed in a crowd, it can be described like a sea of people and that may be an accurate depiction as a new study has found that big crowds tend to flow like water. A previous study explained that crowds exhibited emergent behavior that could help predict the movement of crowds, this time researchers use hydrodynamic theory to explain crowd behavior.

Large human crowds exhibit fluid-like collective behavior that can be predicted based solely on hydrodynamic theory, according to a new study (Bain and Bartolo, 2019) published today in the journal Science. This pioneering research shows, for the first time, how crowds of people flow like water in ways that appear to override so-called “interaction rules” between individuals.

(Image credit: Rob Curran/Unsplash)


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Before the tragic WHO concert in Cincinnati, I was in a crowd waiting to get into an arena for an Emerson, Lake, and Palmer concert. It was "festival seating" and when they opened a door or two the crowd began to move. For a few seconds I felt helpless as the motion of bodies seemed uncontrolled. Fortunately it subsided and entry went smoothly.
When the WHO tragedy happened, I could understand how it could have gotten out of hand.
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Let me add to the last statement....any of us who have had a cherished pet,possesion,etc are all Calvins.I named my first dog Hobbes after my favorite comic character.She was to me what Hobbes was to Calvin.Best friend ever! When she passed I lost my true friend and companion of 14 years! The emptiness in my heart and house were unbearable so I got a new dog already named Ivy.She has the heart and soul of Hobbes.This was 9 years ago.The chance to get a male golden retriever was upon me about 4 years ago.He is Calvin! With his mischief,energy and love of his sister Ivy I feel so blessed. So anyone who has any kind of bond with anything or anyone are truly"Calvin and Hobbes".
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