Blog #7 - "Flashmobs"

Up until class last week, I had absolutely no idea what a flash mob was (I guess I was living under a rock). Now that I am aware of this, I was really intrigued by it all. I would never have thought of something like grabbing a group of people and freezing at a supermarket for like 20 minutes... never crossed my mind.

As far as print, there could be a variety of underpinnngs. For example, a spontaneous piece of mail delieverd to the addresses of a select group, a chain letter that is ongoing, an editorial in a weekly newspaper, there could be an ad in a college newspaper like we have here at Kean, and various others. I think digital media and technologies may have a better way of reaching people. For example, text messaging is one of the main ways people interact today. A text sent to a group could definitely spark a flash mob. Also, emails and MySpace/Facebook comments could also generate a flashmob or flashmob activity.

I believe digitial communications may spread the word faster. Emails, comments, and text messaging can all be sent and recieved in the matter of seconds. Text messaging is something the world (especially students) rely on. If someone creates a text message, you can forward that same message to numerous people.. similar to an email. MySpace and Facebook (although I'm not 100% sure on how they really work - I'm probably the one person that does not have either), also have an email and commenting system that could spread the word of a flashmob rather quickly. Blogging can even be a source used in generating a flashmob. Bloggers have the ability to post and comment on just about anything.

As far as future changes and remediation, I believe that since new technological advances seem to be created everyday, there could be or will be a variety of new and exciting possibilities. If people can get groups to freeze for twenty minutes or tango in the mall food court, what will they think of next?