Spreading vs stifling dynamics: who heard the rumor?
Ignorants: 0% | Spreaders: 0% | Stiflers: 0%
Maki-Thompson model (1973): S = ignorants (haven't heard), I = spreaders, R = stiflers (heard but stopped spreading).
When a spreader meets another spreader or a stifler, they stop spreading (rate γ).
The rumor dies out well before everyone is informed — a key result distinguishing rumor from epidemic (SIR) dynamics.
Final fraction reached R(∞) depends critically on β/γ ratio. Phase portrait shows I vs S.