'FLASH MOBS' BEWILDER US

SkyNews ^ | 08/05/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

Americans are being left baffled by a bizarre phenomenon that is sweeping the US.

Called "flash mob", dozens and sometimes hundreds of people are turning up in public places and carrying out wacky, pointless stunts.

The mass mobilisation is organised by email - those taking part agree to turn up at a certain place at a certain time to carry out the act.

They then disappear a few minutes later, leaving bystanders scratching their heads and wondering what was going on.

'Love Rug'

In the latest incident, 200 people turned up at a bookstore in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and pretended to look for a card.

On cue, they then burst into spontaneous applause and left.

The craze began two months ago in New York's world-famous department store Macy's.

Dozens of 'flash-mobbers' crowded around a $10,000 oriental rug, claiming they all lived together and wanted to buy the "love rug".

Flash-mobbing is now sweeping the globe.

In Rome, hundreds flooded a bookstore, asking employees for imaginary books and authors.

And in San Francisco, a flock repeatedly crossed a busy road back and forth, waving their arms in the air and spinning in circles.

Tourists stood and watched dumbfounded.

London mob?

Already one website - Cheesebikini.com - is trying to create a remote London flash mob from America, although appeals for ideas have been met with a poor response.

Flash mob organisers say it gives participants the chance to be a kid again - and to do something funny but completely pointless.

"Everything makes a lot of sense nowadays, a bit too much sense," the 30-year-old organiser of the San Francisco flash mob told Associated Press.

"Then, for 10 minutes, you get to do something completely nonsensical. You get to be a kid for a few minutes."

But for others it just gives them a sense of power in an increasingly globalised world.

"This interests people - even if it's frivolous, totally for fun, and doesn't have a label attached to it - because they see something can still happen from the grass roots without any help from the government and corporations," said US web writer Sean Savage.

Last Updated: 11:22 UK, Tuesday August 05, 200

[bedolido]

A flash mob imitate bird noises in Central Park

[bedolido]

A flash mob imitate bird noises in Central Park

This really looks like fun!

[Semper Paratus]

Sounds like a Dean rally.

A few seconds of sound and fury then nothing.

[Mr. Jeeves]

"Then, for 10 minutes, you get to do something completely nonsensical."

Organizing one of these might be Gray Davis's only hope for surviving the recall.

[danneskjold]

A flash mob imitate bird noises in Central Park.

I always wondered how a lemming sounded...

[SuziQ]

As long as they're not breaking any laws are harming anyone, why not let em do their thing?

[PeterPrinciple]

In the 20's we had individual flag pole sitters.

A conservatives identity is individual, a liberals identity is the group.

[laotzu]

"Sounds like a Dean rally."

Good one.....LOL

[boris]

"On cue, they then burst into spontaneous applause and left."

You cannot burst into spontaneous applause on cue.

A tautology.

--Boris

[bedolido]

"On cue, they then burst into spontaneous applause and left."
You cannot burst into spontaneous applause on cue.

lmao... good point!

[babyface00]

breaking any laws are harming anyone

I agree, but most of the stories I have read about these jokers involve them obstructing businesses (albeit for a few minutes), blocking roads and sidewalks, and otherwise being a nuisance. Being a mild menace seems to be part of the draw.

I notice that, even though many aspects of these are planned, there is never any consideration given to those who are victims (i.e. the businesses) or those who might be inconvenienced.

For example, these events are never held on vacant lots, in abandoned warehouses, or unused farmfields. They're always in the street, at a business, in a busy intersection. At minimum, in a public area.

[dark_lord]

Like many other things, this concept first surfaced in a science fiction book many years ago. I guess some people thought the idea was cool and implemented it. However, take note - in the book the concept was used by individuals who wanted to disrupt the "State". One event that occurred involved a bank robbery (this is fiction, remember). We'll see how it plays out in reality.

[Mears]

We also had telephone booth stuffers and goldfish eaters.

This new craze seems like harmless fun but I guarantee it will lead to something less than desirable.What if they decided to do a flash mob at the airport?Could create chaos yet it's legal.

[theFIRMbss]

>Like many other things, this concept first surfaced in a science fiction book many years ago

Yes, well, but didn't
Niven think they would be caused
as a consequence

of the widespread use
of cheap teleportation?
No transfer booths here...

[meowmeow]

You get to be a kid for a few minutes.

Why is that attractive? As an adult I can eat ice cream for dinner and ride the roller coaster as many times as I want. People are stupid.

[hosepipe]

Democrats are despicable... and morons too...

[kb2614]

'grow the h e l l up' bump!!

[lowbridge]

http://flashmob.info/index.php

[Question_Assumptions]

Interestingly enough, the Internet has its own version of a flash mob, though. When a web site gets mentioned in a paper or on television, it can get swampled by hits because the web, like teleporters, is instant and the traffic can come in from anywhere around the world. Larry Niven should take some time to write more short stories. His short stories are some of his best works.

[Bullish]

Stupid is, as stupid does.