Study of MMOG Proves Human Interaction Theory

An anonymous reader writes "A new study analyzing interactions among 300,000+ players in an online game universe, called Pardus, has for the first time provided large-scale evidence to prove an 80-year-old psychological theory called Structural Balance Theory. The research, published in PNAS, shows that individuals tend to avoid stress-causing relationships when they develop a society, resulting in more stable social networks."

Comments

PNAS

[Beardydog]

I can only pronounce it one way.

Summed up in one simple cliche....

[macraig]

Birds of a feather flock together.

This study no more proves the theory than the decades or hundreds of years of observation that led to the coining of that cliche. I'm glad MY tax dollars weren't wasted on this... I attached a note to the IRS asking them not to put it in that kitty, and I'm sure they heeded my request.

Re:I played wow for a few years

[Kitkoan]

And i seem to recall most people absolutely loving drama and being controlled by irrational desires. This sounds stressful to me.

Sounds like you spent too much time in Barrens chat...

Re:So what is "distinctive" about those "societies

[takev]

They are purple we are green.

/.'ers Vindicated

[pablo_max]

..shows that individuals tend to avoid stress-causing relationships..

You see, this is the real reason why slashdoters don't have wives and girl friends. It's natural to avoid stress causing relationships. :)

In a later update...

[the roAm]

4chan's existence completely invalidates this study.

Re:I played wow for a few years

[troc]

aaah, maybe you can tell me where Mankrik's wife is?

I tried asking Chuck Norris but he just killed me with a tray.