Marek Posted August 22, 2003 Posted August 22, 2003 Just wondering, has anyone else on this forum indulged in flashmobbing? I started mobbing a couple of weeks ago and have participated in two big ones in Amsterdam. For those wondering what the heck I'm talking about, the aim of a flashmob is to have hundreds of people take part in a sudden, bizarre activity, preferably in the middle of a city. The group will do some kind of weird (but strictly harmless) thing for a couple of minutes, and then disperse into the crowds, leaving puzzled looks and smiles behind. For example, in my first flashmob we amassed in front of a supermarket at a certain time with photocamera's, and for the next 3 minutes anyone who exited the supermarket was to be treated as a huge celebrity. Here's a video of it: http://www.gizz.demon.nl/gizz/flashmob/MVI_7684.AVI Of course, the whole thing is perfectly organized in advance on the internet. You kinda feel like a guerilla warrior... synchronizing your watches, meeting at a certain point to pick up instructions, walking to the mob location without forming groups or talking with other mobbers, etc. A lot of people say stuff like "omg don't you have anything better to do, like help poor people in Africa". I actually think these flashmobs are quite productive. Moreso than sitting in front of a TV or something. It's great, great fun. The fun will probably be spoiled in some way eventually, so I'm enjoying it while I can. More on the phenomenon: http://www.google.com/search?q=flashmobbing
tabacco Posted August 22, 2003 Posted August 22, 2003 Actually, I always thought it would be fun to try and get a significant number of people in a public place to 'spontaneously' break into song and dance, like in a musical
twifkak Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 LOL @ tabacco Yeah, I'd heard of flashmobbing a while back (via slashdot, of course), and it sounded really interesting. Not that it actually sounded like a fun thing to do (vs, say, adventure games ), but that it seems to be an interesting social statement. I've been interested in participating in one, but I haven't heard of any in the DC/Northern Virginia area. BTW, the first link your google search comes up with is SmartMobs, and that's different, as those mobs actually have a point. In any case, a relevant link, for those interested: cheesebikini
Marek Posted August 23, 2003 Author Posted August 23, 2003 Hah, some "spontaneous choreography" would be hilarious.
Erwin_Br Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Yeah, heard about it. I believe it's even more popular in other countries. Anyway, when I first read the term I thought it was about something very different. Hehe, I think the word flash had something to do with the confusion. --Erwin
BigJKO Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 On an almost related note, a woman came in to the place where I work last day(I work for a football club) and complained about a flasher outside the club. The police were brought in and stuff, and this was like the first time I really heard of this here on Iceland. Isn't zhat weeerd?!
deadworm222 Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Didn't Björk (the signer) do that sort of thing all the time?
remixor Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 I heard of these happening with relative frequency in New York City, but I wasn't aware it was such a widespread thing.
Marek Posted August 23, 2003 Author Posted August 23, 2003 It started in NYC, but it has spread out. It's most popular in Germany at the moment. BigJKO: you live on Iceland??!
pleto4_ryan Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 never heard of it...and nothing like that happened in Greece (from what i know) it looks so interesting and It's great, great fun. ... i could sure would want to take part in one:D
DomStLeger Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Mark my words, it'll be banned soon to help prevent terrorism. Infact I wouldn't be suprised if all gatherings above 3 people were banned to help preserve our freedom.
Mattsius Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Originally posted by Marek BigJKO: you live on Iceland??! Didn't you know that, Marek? He's the only Icelandic guy around here (I think anyway).
curacao Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Originally posted by Marek BigJKO: you live on Iceland??! Jeesh, Marek. This is almost on the level of 'Intrepid is gay?!?'
twifkak Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Originally posted by curacao Jeesh, Marek. This is almost on the level of 'Intrepid is gay?!?' Intrepid is gay?! *rimshot* *pans Tamz in advance*
curacao Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 you don't know the injoke, so ... I'll leave it to Marek
BigJKO Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Didn't Björk (the signer) do that sort of thing all the time? Yeah, Björk's <i>autograph signer</i> is flashing all the time. And wow, Marek. Oh, and RoyalFool is the second Icelander to join the forums, BTW.
Curt Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Originally posted by DomStLeger Mark my words, it'll be banned soon to help prevent terrorism. Infact I wouldn't be suprised if all gatherings above 3 people were banned to help preserve our freedom. ROFL!
Firefoot Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 The first time I heard about it I thought something like: OMG, the strange american virus has spread around the world... I don't think I would participate in one since I'm not seeing the fun of doing so...
Curt Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Bunch of bloody sheep if you ask me. Marek, I'm shocked!
Marek Posted August 24, 2003 Author Posted August 24, 2003 Heh. The goal of a flashmob is to distort sheeplike day-to-day routines
Curt Posted August 24, 2003 Posted August 24, 2003 Bunch of bloody distorted sheep if you ask me. Anyone seen my wellies?
Mira Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 Cool... you joined them, Marek? I only read them in the papers, but even so it's still enough to keep me in stitches. No such thing in Kuala Lumpur. The City Hall would probably slap a ban on us and say stuff like: "Bad yellow culture no-no!"
DustCropper Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 The last time I visited San Francisco, a couple of weeks ago, I almost went to one but unfortunately got the time mixed up and showed up late. Maybe next year...
DomStLeger Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 Originally posted by DustCropper The last time I visited San Francisco, a couple of weeks ago, I almost went to one but unfortunately got the time mixed up and showed up late. Maybe next year... So did you do a one man flashmob anyway? And if so, were you arrested for your own good?
DustCropper Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 Originally posted by DomStLeger So did you do a one man flashmob anyway? And if so, were you arrested for your own good? I acted like a frog for a few seconds but realized that it doesn't work too well when you're the only person doing it.
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