A system for propagating information among wireless communication devices in an efficient manner. More specifically, the invention involves regulating the behavior of a wireless communication device (WCD) between a primarily passive mode where client or slave availability is maximized and a primarily active mode where information propagation or master behavior is maximized. The regulation of the WCD is controlled based on the environment surrounding the WCD, including the devices in effective transmission range of the device, and the current condition of the WCD.