Add Axelrod Culture Model example

[Punya-B-R]

Summary

Adds an implementation of Axelrod's Culture Model, a classic ABM where agents on a grid hold multi-feature cultural profiles and interact with neighbors based on cultural similarity, producing emergent cultural regions.

Motive

Mesa examples currently focus on spatial and epidemic models. This example demonstrates a culturally-driven diffusion process with continuous interaction probabilities, adding diversity to the example set.

Implementation

• agents.py: CultureAgent holds F cultural features each with Q possible traits. Agents interact with a random neighbor with probability equal to their cultural similarity, copying one differing trait if interaction occurs.
• model.py: OrthogonalVonNeumannGrid setup, random culture initialization, cultural region tracking via BFS flood fill.
• app.py: Solara visualization with a color-coded culture grid and region count over time.

Usage Examples

Run with: solara run app.py

Key parameters:

• F (features): higher F leads to faster convergence
• Q (traits per feature): higher Q leads to more fragmentation

Additional Notes

Reference: Axelrod, R. (1997). The dissemination of culture: A model with local convergence and global polarization. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 41(2), 203-226.