Friday, May 9, 2008
Flash-mobbing
I am quite fascinated by this idea of flash-mobbing. As the author first described this "phenomenon," I couldn't figure out what the point of it was. Is it a practical joke? A demonstration of the strength of the community? A political action? And then I wondered who initiates the flash-mobbing. The author said that one of the weaknesses of the gatherings is the lack of a leader, but SOMEONE has to start it, and wouldn't they be considered the leader? Flash-mobbing has enormous potential as a political activist tool or way to raise awareness, but it seems that many avid mobbers want to stay away from there actually being a point to mobbing and rather mob because it's "fun." Honestly, I am not sure if I would respond to a text-message or email telling me to be at one place at one time. Call me a pessimist (which I am usually not), but I think I'd be pretty "sketched out" and wonder who wants me to be there, and why. Would any of you respond to a flash-mob invitation? I would be more receptive to the word-of-mouth phenomenon. On the other hand, the Spain example, in which over 5,000 showed up to "learn the truth" about the government, sufficiently demonstrates the potential power in technology's ability to unite large groups of people for a specific cause. Perhaps future activists and politicians will implement this tactic to advocate their cause...
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5 comments:
I agree with you on your point that one might be freaked out about receiving a text message to meet at a certain time and place. As a female I don't think I would ever respond or even think about meeting up with because of a random text message I got. But if it were something like protest of the Iraq war, and I could get more information about it on the internet or though friends I might. I think the key here is communication. If the text allowed you to get more info or gave a link to a website or something I might be more interested. Do you agree?
I agree Deb. I think that if information is readily available, more people will join in. And yet, that might take the fun out of "flash mobbing". I think part of the appeal is that the message reaches only a small community of people. So the people that are involved have a unique bond, and the groups are kept smaller and thus easier to organize. Also, the more accessible the information, the more likely the event will be prevented from happening. While flash mobs tend to be apolitical, I think the organization techniques have enormous potential for political or social demonstrations. Especially when large groups of people are involved, protests and demonstrations can become confusing and unorganized. Website updates and texting during protests could be really useful in maintaining group cohesion.
Ok guys I've been searching youtube for flash mobbing and they are actually really entertaining. Check out the examples of improve everywhere. First I thought flash mobbing was kind of pointless, but they provide a great opportunity for unexpected extertainment and lightheartedness for the bystanders. I could only wish that I might witness something like this. Here's an improv at a food court in LA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkYZ6rbPU2M&NR=1
Flash mobbing is much less ominous than it's made out to be by a lot of people. As Whitney said, generally groups that would partake in flash mobbing, know about it. Normally speaking, people don't receive random texts telling them to meet places. However, people that are going to participate in flash mobs of political activism, public shenanery, whathaveyou, put their number out there into a notice group. A notice group is just a small part of the larger group, but it would be unmanageable for one or two people to send notifications to that many, so they send them to the group leaders. Each group leader then sends the message out to their members, etc.
I agree with Deb that I do not think it is safe for girls, or anyone else for that matter, to respond to these random text messages. If you are interested in flash mobbing then I'm sure you have no problem with them but if not, they would get kinda annoying (like sales calls).
I think the whole flash-mobbing thing is cool just because it shows the power of technology. Caroline, your quote you used at the end of this post said it perfectly. Technology can get a large group together. Personally, I never thought I could be making a change by using my text messanger. It's crazy to think about.
I feel like texting is the new tech fad for younger people these days. I mean I couldn't imagine not having a keyboard on my phone because I send close to 50 texts/day. Do you think we will come up with another form of tech communication that will take over for texting?
I loved the line Nicholson used: "Flash mobbing straddled the boundaries between spectacle, activism, experiment and prank." Do you think it's more of one or another? Like Deb and Whitney brought up protests. Do you think it is or should be used for more significant purposes or mearly as a form of entertainment?
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