Flash Mobs Pop Onto the Scene
February 11, 2009
Imagine thousands of people gathering together all around the world for a matter of minutes to do something bizarre like dance or even have a pillow fight in the streets. Each meeting is a different theme and city, but the locations are packed with so many people, on-lookers claim that they cannot even see the floor. These “flash mobs” were created in a flash, literally. Created by Bill Wasik, senior editor of Harpers Magazine in May 2003, the origin of these mobs were unknown until the March 2006 edition of Harpers Magazine. Although only over a hundred people attended that first event at a rug store in Macy’s, the craze quickly caught on and spread across the U.S.A., Europe, Australia, and Singapore.
The power of the internet is what has kept these mobs intact. Communicating through emails and Facebook events is just the start though. Many Web logs, chat rooms and Web groups are even devoted to the craze. In order for stores and locations to not find out about the next flash mob, one of the organizers of a recent event had people go to four different locations and then those people were told directions on where the flash mob was actually going to take place. Most organizers also do not like to be identified incase the police get involved. That is also why these events only last for a matter of minutes.
Ranging from 15 seconds to 15 minutes, the organizers have people do a variety of things at these events. From just showing up and applauding at a certain time at Times Square with over a thousand people, to having a silent disco dance with no music at a London Train Station, these Flash Mobs are gaining popularity as not only a fun event but a political event.
These Flash Mobs may seem foolish, but the organizers claim they hold these events just for a little fun and entertainment. One organizer says, “We’re out to prove that a prank doesn’t have to involve humiliation or embarrassment; it can simply be about making someone laugh, smile, or stop to notice the world around them.” So, although these events may ruin an organized schedule, they bring some excitement to a dull day.
