Mechanisms for the self-organization of peer groups in agent societies

Abstract

New mechanisms for group self-organization in agent societies are investigated and examined in the context of sharing digital goods. Specifically we illustrate how cooperative sharers and uncooperative free riders can be placed in different groups of an electronic society in a decentralized manner. We have simulated a decentralized, open P2P system which self-organizes itself to avoid cooperative sharers being exploited by uncooperative free riders. Inspired by human society, we use social mechanisms such as tags, gossip and ostracism. This approach encourages sharers to move to better groups and restricts free riders without necessitating centralized control, which makes the system appropriate for current open P2P systems. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.