Honey Bees and Church Gossip?

Scientists have been modeling how swarm behavior in insects can be used for robotics.  William Spears (http://www.swarmotics.com/) has toyed with algorithms to emulate motivation that bees get for discovering a new food source. It is dangerous for bees go foraging for new sources of food.  But when they do it they receive octopomine- a neuro-stimulant chemical that makes them feel good.

Humans have similar rewards.  We generate dopamine and serotonin when we discover something new - or receive a prize unsuspectedly.  A good example is when we win at a slot machine or a gambling table.  Scientists have discovered that when gamblers have the highest amount of dopamine, is when they are about to win...not after.  Interesting.  Anticipation of an unsuspected reward is what triggers it.  This is perhaps why we are addicted to gambling among other things. 

In my studies, I am reminded of one of my favorite books by Malcolm Gladwell - The Tipping Point.  Gladwell views the world through the lens of epidemics.  What is particularly interesting is how epidemics resemble swarm behavior.  Scientists are using artificial intelligence to emulate pathogens in order to determine possible pathways that a pathogen might take during a pandemic - say that 5 times quickly (see http://www.swarmotics.com/uploads/virus.else.pdf).  My question is, what about a pandemic of ideas?  What about the spread of religious dogma - for good or bad.  Could we describe terrorism as a pandemic of bad ideas?  One might say yes - but it depends on what side you are on.  Could swarm intelligence, and our models of pathogen routes help us look at how radical ideas are adopted? Perhaps....

I am fascinated by how this is done in American politics today as well as local gossip at church; ideas spread as do viruses as do bees foraging for a new food source.  You spread a piece of gossip - you probably get a dopamine increase.  Knowing how ideas spread as pathogens could be very helpful.  I think we know more about it than we realize, we just don't quantify it as would a swarm scientist creating a robot.