Spontaneous Synchronization

Spontaneous synchronization is an emergent phenomenon that arises when a group of oscillators eventually oscillate with the same cycle without the benefit of a leader. There are examples of SS in Biology (fireflies) and Physics (clocks, superconductors, ).

In Sociology SS occurs in drumming circles and can be interpreted more broadly as something like teamwork.

Sync

In Sync each turtle flashes according to its personal rhythm. Occasionally a turtle will adopt the most popular rhythm of nearby turtles.

Here's a screen shot of Sync:

Notice the spikes in the plot. This indicates that the turtles are flashing at the same time. Notice that in this screen shot they are all gray.

References

[SYNC] Steven Strogatz; Sync: How Order Emerges from Chaos in the Universe, Nature, and Daily Life; Hyperion, 2004.