Flash Mob/ Smart Mob

Trends in TechnologyBy: Carla R. Williams

TIE 300

What is a Flash Mob & Smart Mob?

• Flash Mob - Unusual & pointless

public entertainment, artistic expression

• Organized via mobile

communication technologies• Cell phones• Text messaging• Internet• Web blogs• Viral videos Members linked together by wireless devices allowing group to work as a whole.

Smart Mob – Public technology enabled protest

• Organized via mobile

communication technologies• Cell phones• Text messaging• Internet• Web blogs• Viral videos Members linked together by wireless devices allowing group to work as a whole.

Flash Mob History

First flash mob documented in Manhattan, created by Bill Wasek, senior editor of Harper’s Magazine, on June 17th, 2003.

Considered an apolitical act, similar to political demonstrations done by the Yippies in the 1960s.

The term was inspired by the term Smart mob – also seen as a specialized form of smart mobs.

Described as self organized entertainment. Popular but short lived due to backlash. News media and promoters use term to

refer to any form of smart mob. Well documented by blogs and

mainstream media. Flash mob video

Smart Mob History

Concept & term introduced by Howard Rheingold

Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution

First smart mobs “thumb tribes” Advancement of social

communication (Internet & mobile phones) enabled phenomenon

Smart mob to “Stop Violence against women - Smart mob to draw attention to "Violence against women".

Impact of Flash mobs/Smart mobs:"Smart Mobs: The next social revolution" by Howard Rheingold

Pros Use of mobile devices and

internet Evolution of social

communications Social collective action Can entertain or inform “True citizen journalism”

Cons Use of mobile devices and

internet Net wars Crime mobs Ability to evade authorities Promotes mob mentality Flash mob goes wrong.

Use of Flash Mob trend in Education

Learning about Flash Mobs Helps Children Develop News Literacy Skills.

Students critically analyze flash mobs Explored how news is constructed Discussed violence and peer pressure Used Red Lasso (news search engine) Used computer programming to develop video games and expand

learning.

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Mobs%3Athe_Next_Social_Revolution

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob http://www.flashmob.com/ http://www.smartmobs.com/ FCJ-030 Flash! Mobs in the Age of Mobile Connectivity. Flash mob craze spreads Want to buy a Flash Mob?

More resources:

http://video.mit.edu/watch/smart-mobs-the-next-social-revolution-9859/

http://theherdeffect.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/freedom-of-expression-flash-mobs/

http://www.futurecrimes.com/article/when-flash-mobs-become-crime-mobs-2/

http://youtu.be/4UHL9AzPAyI

Other “Flash Mob” performances:

Frozen Flash Mob performance http://youtu.be/jwMj3PJDxuo Marriage Proposal Flash Mob http://youtu.be/c0dGRDvmO54 Central Station Antwerp Flash Mob http://youtu.be/bQLCZOG202k Epic Flash Mob in a library http://youtu.be/mnCXb6gffwg Grocery Store Flash Mob http://youtu.be/WnY59mDJ1gg Bollywood Flash Mob http://youtu.be/s8U8SHnQ4mk