  This paper describes an agent based simulation used to model human actions in
belief space, a high-dimensional subset of information space associated with
opinions. Using insights from animal collective behavior, we are able to
simulate and identify behavior patterns that are similar to nomadic, flocking
and stampeding patterns of animal groups. These behaviors have analogous
manifestations in human interaction, emerging as solitary explorers, the
fashion-conscious, and members of polarized echo chambers. We demonstrate that
a small portion of nomadic agents that widely traverse belief space can disrupt
a larger population of stampeding agents. Extending the model, we introduce the
concept of Adversarial Herding, where bad actors can exploit properties of
technologically mediated communication to artificially create self sustaining
runaway polarization. We call this condition the Pishkin Effect as it recalls
the large scale buffalo stampedes that could be created by native Americans
hunters. We then discuss opportunities for system design that could leverage
the ability to recognize these negative patterns, and discuss affordances that
may disrupt the formation of natural and deliberate echo chambers.
