In physics, the laser resonator in the form of an optical cavity plays a crucial role in the process of amplifying the output beam and making it coherent. We model the functioning of the social laser resonator by “distilling” the physical scheme to exclude the straightforward connection with optics. We proceed with the quantum master equation for the density operator describing excitations of the quantum information field inside the resonator of the social laser (see section 7.3 ). The main aim is establishing proper social interpretations of the basic quantities and parameters of this dynamical system.
In physics, the laser resonator in the form of an optical cavity plays a crucial role in the process of amplifying the output beam and making it coherent. We model the functioning of the social laser resonator by “distilling” the physical scheme to exclude the straightforward connection with optics. We proceed with the quantum master equation for the density operator describing excitations of the quantum information field inside the resonator of the social laser (see section 7.3 ). The main aim is establishing proper social interpretations of the basic quantities and parameters of this dynamical system.
The recent years were characterized by increasing interest to applications of the quantum formalism outside physics, e.g., in psychology, decision-making, socio-political studies. To distinguish such approach from quantum physics, it is called quantum-like. It is applied to modeling socio-political processes on the basis of the social laser model describing stimulated amplification of social actions. The main aim of this paper is establishing the socio-psychological interpretations of the quantum notions playing the basic role in lasing modeling. By using the Copenhagen interpretation and the operational approach to the quantum formalism, we analyze the notion of the social energy. Quantum formalizations of such notions as a social atom, s-atom, and an information field are presented. The operational approach based on the creation and annihilation operators is used. We also introduce the notion of the social color of information excitations representing characteristics linked to lasing coherence of the type of collimation. The Bose–Einstein statistics of excitations is coupled with the bandwagon effect, one of the basic effects of social psychology. By using the operational interpretation of the social energy, we present the thermodynamical derivation of this quantum statistics. The crucial role of information overload generated by the modern mass-media is emphasized. In physics laser’s resonator, the optical cavity, plays the crucial role in amplification. We model the functioning of social laser’s resonator by “distilling” the physical scheme from connection with optics. As the mathematical basis, we use the master equation for the density operator for the quantum information field.
We start with a brief review on social laser theory which is newly framed with the notion of an infon –social energy quantum carrying coarse-grained information content. Infons are the excitations of the quantum social-information field. Humans are analogues of atoms—social atoms absorbing and emitting infons. Another new development is coupling of the social laser with the decision making model based on open quantum systems. The role of the environment for social atoms is played by the strong coherent social-information field—the output of social lasing. We analyse a simple quantum master equation generating decision jumps towards the coherent decision directed by the social laser beam. As an illustrative example, we analyse the possibility to create a societal benefit laser, i.e. directed for societal benefit. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Thermodynamics 2.0: Bridging the natural and social sciences (Part 1)’.
Recently, the methods of quantum theory, especially quantum information, started to be widely applied outside of physics: in cognitive, social sciences, economics, finance, decision making and biology. We propose a quantum-like model: the “information laser”. The basic assumption is the discrete structure of state spaces related to the quantization of information. The information field acts in the form of indistinguishable quanta of “social energy” analogue to photons. The massive flow of information acts as a laser pump. In this framework, an information selection process by agents under constant pressure of massive repeated information leads to collective “resonance” effects in analogy with laser cavity and stimulated emission. In order to make operational parallels between physical lasers and the information laser we identify the essential features of laser operation. An application to the analysis of recent disruptive social events (colour revolutions) is discussed. Social analogues to the laser are also considered through the model of Echo Chambers induced by the Internet and Adam Smith’s invisible hand.
Recently, the methods of quantum theory, especially quantum information, started to be widely applied outside of physics: in cognitive, social sciences, economics, finance, decision making and biology. We propose a quantum-like model: the “information laser”. The basic assumption is the discrete structure of state spaces related to the quantization of information. The information field acts in the form of indistinguishable quanta of “social energy” analog to photons. The massive flow acts as a pump. In this framework an information selection process by agents under constant pressure of massive repeated information leads to collective “resonance” effects in analogy with laser cavity and stimulated emission. In order to make operational parallels between physical lasers and the information laser we identify the essential features of laser operation. An application to the analysis of recent disruptive social events (color revolutions) is discussed.
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the Social Laser Theory (SLT) as a natural extension of the broader framework of Quantum-Like Modeling (QLM). While QLM applies the mathematical formalism of quantum theory — such as Hilbert space representations, interference, and non-commutative observables — to model context-dependent and non-classical phenomena in cognition, decision-making, and social behavior, SLT advances this approach by integrating concepts from quantum field theory. The theory conceptualizes social systems as ensembles of “social atoms” capable of absorbing and emitting quantized units of social energy. Under conditions analogous to population inversion in physical lasers, external informational stimuli (e.g. media signals or mobilizing rhetoric) can trigger coherence across the population, resulting in large-scale, synchronized collective actions such as protests or ideological shifts. SLT thus provides a formal framework for understanding the amplification and coherence of social energy leading to abrupt phase-like transitions in collective behavior. Beyond its metaphorical appeal, the theory proposes measurable quantities and predictive parameters that may support empirical diagnostics of sociopolitical dynamics. By bridging micro-level psychological processes with macro-level sociological phenomena, SLT extends QLM into the domain of complex social systems, offering a mathematically grounded paradigm for interpreting rapid transformations in contemporary societies.
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the Social Laser Theory (SLT) as a natural extension of the broader framework of Quantum-Like Modeling (QLM). While QLM applies the mathematical formalism of quantum theory . such as Hilbert space representations, interference, and non-commutative observables - to model context-dependent and non-classical phenomena in cognition, decision-making, and social behavior, SLT advances this approach by integrating concepts from quantum field theory. The theory conceptualizes social systems as ensembles of social atoms capable of absorbing and emitting quantized units of social energy. Under conditions analogous to population inversion in physical lasers, external informational stimuli (e.g., media signals or mobilizing rhetoric) can trigger coherence across the population, resulting in large-scale, synchronized collective actions such as protests or ideological shifts. SLT thus provides a formal framework for understanding the amplification and coherence of social energy leading to abrupt phase-like transitions in collective behavior. Beyond its metaphorical appeal, the theory proposes measurable quantities and predictive parameters that may support empirical diagnostics of sociopolitical dynamics. By bridging micro-level psychological processes with macro-level sociological phenomena, SLT extends QLM into the domain of complex social systems, offering a mathematically grounded paradigm for interpreting rapid transformations in contemporary societies.