Day 23 Thoughts

Today I wrote my survey. Based on responses from the 40 I asked for copies of, I should be able to determine if I am getting good results or if it is not useful at all. If it is useful, my goal would be about 150 survey responses. The rain is just completely draining all creative thought today. I do like the balloon idea though. It is a mob that the 'steps' are easy enough to learn, just folding a balloon a couple times and 'battling' your friends. I need to talk to my mentor about an idea for the Secret of Day 3! Sorry I really can't talk about it yet, this is more of a reminder for myself.

Survey Error Info

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Soc_participants.shtml
Basically, 100*n^(-1/2), with n being number of surveys returned, would be percent error of the survey. If I can get 150 people, I will have about 8% error on the questions that are multiple choice or yes/no answers. I think that is a pretty good accuracy for a managable number of surveys.

Target One: Study Halls!

There are two study halls in 9th period. One in my building... one in... the freshman building. It's raining, so going across the lot with papers (covered in ink) will not be a good idea! I like the size and simplicity of the survey, and it should take people a couple minutes at the most. I will post a copy on Facebook tonight if I can in a message to all of my friends list. Tomorrow at the mentor meeting I will have to ask my mentor if he can hand out surveys in his classes. I still want to do some homerooms, but I don't know how receptive teachers would be to that. This first trial with the study halls on Friday should help me to see how effective the survey is.

Today I Want to Write a Flash Mob Survey...

...because I think it will help me to get the public opinion in our school, and where people think they would be best at.

1. What do you think of when you hear the words 'flash mob?'
2. Have you ever seen a flash mob? Y/N
3. Where do you think a flash mob would best be located?
Park
Parking Lot
Store/Mall
School
Street
4. What type of flash mob is your favorite?
Dancing
Choral (Singing)
Freezing
Game (i.e. Tag or Simon Says)
Battle (i.e. Light Sabers or other pretend weapons)
5. Why do you think people participate in flash mobs?
6. Would you participate in a flash mob if asked? Y/N

I would want to keep it short, since you would not want it to seem an ordeal for people to fill out, but you want to get information as well. I could also maybe put it on something like Facebook after school and get it sent to a larger group.
Feel free to answer in comments, if you want!

Another Flash Mob Concept

This one is from my own head this time! Well... I kinda saw some kids carrying balloon stuff today...
A balloon-sword sword fight! No one could really get hurt, and as long as a few people are responsible they can quickly pick up anything that pops. It wouldn't qualify as a weapon, so it could really be done anywhere. Plus... as mentioned before... it would not be devastating if it rained. May actually make things a little more epic (if it is outside). People could get into it, with cardboard "shields" and armour.
http://magic.about.com/od/balloontwisting/ss/swordballoon.htm
^^ Balloon Sword Instructions.
Simple to make, and easy to get into, without really breaking any laws. Balloons are relatively cheap I believe. I searched on Youtube, and it does not appear to have been done before, either. I really like this idea.

The Enemy...

is rain. If a flash mob is outside, it can become soaked due to a rainstorm. You would either need awesome participants that won't mind the water, or you will have to reschedule. Or incorporate umbrellas. Either way, it would need to be a nice day for an outdoor flash mob to be successful. Good thing I did not plan one today or it would be soaked....

Day 22 Thoughts

Today I did my research on the actual planning of the dance moves, going off of the idea that the flash mobs that involve a song and dance tend to be the most popular and do not require a large (meaning +100) group to get a reaction. If I make sure the dance is simple enough and repetitive to the point where people are not getting lost trying to remember the moves, then it should be ok. However if I am to do a more novel concept, like a freeze or worshipping a toy dinosaur (still one of my favorite that I've heard of, but it has been done, wouldn't want to copy) I would not need a choreography, but maybe need an intruction video. I also had the idea, after seeing the music video idea, to use something like a Just Dance game's choreography, since people with the game could practice easily, and the moves are already choreographed for me. But, I am keeping an open mind to other types of flash mobs.

Examples of Choreography Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO-XqwBIJvA
A simple one... very short, more of a clip on to the end of a real show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcz9FkU8mzY&feature=related
This breaks apart the moves into different simple moves through out the video, and then put them together in sections. It is like a bunch of the video above this one. It is probably a three minute dance, but a 15 min video. They mentoion a separate video with the full performance.

eHow... I Know, Not the Best Source...

...but it does mention using the music video for the choreography, which would make it easier to choreograph. All that would be needed would be to put together a how to video or find one.

http://www.ehow.com/how_10018909_choreograph-flash-mob.html

Someone Who Choreographed a Flash Mob

http://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2011/06/30/choreographing-a-flash-mob-dance-how-you-can-make-it-happen/
She did dance, so she knows the steps and has experience following a choreography. I will probably need to work with someone in the flash mob that does dance to plan the flash mob. I will probably need to do that sooner rather than later, so a couple weeks before I try to get people I need to find people who I could possibly work with to plan the choreography.

An Early Thoughts Post

I think I will have to find some kind of dance music that is popular at the time of the flash mob, as the music tends to have an up-beat sound, and people tend to be dancing and not singing. However, this will open up to a wider pool of performers since many people can learn a choreography, but not everyone can sing. Music choice I will not be able to figure out until the start of the planning, since music choice can change over a month, and you do not want to be dancing to a song that is already out-dated.

Day 21 Thoughts

Wow three weeks of daily blogging already. This is actually becoming a habit for me.

Today I saw a shocking video (of course it was on Youtube, thank goodness that is not blocked now). It took previous events and put them into a highly possible situation. Until I found out it was fake I thought it was real, that is how realistic it was. In a matter of hours a mob formed outside of a person's house due to a youtube video. There have been mobs like this, brought together in a matter of hours. Her address was leaked online, also possible and has happened. In the story, she and others are then killed due to violence. Look in Philly, where there have been the deadly mobs. It can happen, and it is scary.

I also have noticed a pattern! The most known flash mobs are choreographed dance flash mobs in populated areas.

More Top Mobs

http://pulse2.com/2010/02/01/the-top-50-most-epic-flash-mobs-youtube-videos/5/
This has 50 flash mobs... and there is definitely a pattern going on here.

Popular Flash Mobs

This is just a list of some well known flash mobs.
I want to look to see if there is a pattern that I see in the type of flash mob.
http://socialtimes.com/top-7-flash-mobs-of-all-time_b12242

It Does Not Always Begin as a Flash Mob

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/18/local/la-me-venice-shooting-20110418
This started as a tweet about a basketball court... and ended in a man shot in the head. It does not always take someone trying to start a flash mob for it to start, and it also can go wrong, and posibly deadly, even if that was not the intent originally.

Plan Ahead... And Plan a Back Up Ahead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd8ppk0UCx8&feature=player_embedded
I love this commercial. They make a change to the time of the flash mob, and the guy doesn't know... so he tries to start it early. So make sure you make all changes ahead of time, and have and back up situations planned as well. And another hidden thing in the video is how obvious it is that they're all there together with matching trench coats. Don't make the costume obvious until everyone is together and don't match before hand either!

Yes There is Too Big... But There IS Too Small.

http://theruckus.com/videos/flash-mob-gone-wrong/
This is what happens when you don't spread the word.... no one shows up.

From Prank to Violence

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/Flash-mob-turned-ugly-at-Brandeis-1406018.php
This flash mob is too big. Way too big. In the video, you can see the people are crammed into the space. It quickly became violent when a teacher was injured and the police had to get involved. Students were even arrested.

This Isn't Real... But Highly Possible.

http://igniteshow.com/videos/flash-mob-gone-very-very-wrong

This shows how quickly the internet can change situations and can cause some sort of chain reactions. It's 5 minute story that relates very similar to real events. There are 4 events that make up the parts of the story that have happened, and this simply compiles them into one possible occurrence. Definitely a warning to make sure instructions stays on controlled channels.

Day 20?!/Weekend 3

I can't get any real research today since I visited Drexel all day today, but I did notice that Philly is a little too far to be practical. On the way there we passed a mall... Which was empty. So Sunday mornings are also definitely out. The best time would probably be a Friday or Saturday night, unless it is a venue like a park, then a weekend afternoon.

Day 19/Weekend 3

I didn't get to do research today because of homework, but I'm going to Philadelphia tomorrow, so maybe I can see if it would be possible to do something there.

Day 18 Thoughts

Who would have thought that a flash mob can be 'too big.' But if it is breaking your venue, it is as bad as the ones that are stealing and hurting people, due to the damages and the people who can get hurt on accident. When I start to plan my flash mob, I will need to know what I am going to do and where I am going to do it and set an ideal size based off of that.
I had an idea for a video game themed flash mob, with people dressed as Mario or Luigi, or Pokemon, and play the theme song and dance to that. I don't know. Just a concept.

There is Such a Thing as Too Big

The size of a flash mob will really have to depend on the size of the area you are in. If you have a large group inside of a little boutique, you are going to cause problems and something is going to get broken--person or thing. If you have a huge group on the second floor of a building... *cough* Northern California *cough* you can possibly break the building. The police may also have a problem if you are restricting traffic or if you are filling an area too much, or the gathering is way too big in general.

However, if two people are dancing in the middle of the mall, it isn't a flash mob. You have to get a group that is significant enough to be seen and payed attention to, but you want to have control. You do not want 200 people trying to do an intricate choreography in a department store. That is asking for trouble, but you may get away with a freeze in place. 200 people dancing in Times Square would seem like a okay sized crowd. You need to pay attention to your location and the activity. If you do not have a lot of room, you need to keep it simple. If you do not have a lot of people, you need to make it 'fill' the space with movement.

Bringing Down the House. Literally.

This talks about a flash mob that nearly broke a mall in California. Too many people turned out to watch a performance, and the amount of people may have caused structural damage to the mall.
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/weird/Flash-Mob-Crowd-Too-Big-For-NorCal-Mall-112270534.html

Too Big!

This article talks about how a flash mob got too big and caused some problems, but it also mentions how the LAPD basically wouldn't do anything if the people were just dancing, but if people were causing damage, then they would have to step in, or if people were doing something dangerous, such as an incident with a flash mob that tried to get onto a bridge being partially demolished.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8370278

Another "Outline"

This one was made for stores to use school spirit to encourage college kids to shop at that store, but it will still be applicable (for the most part) to my flash mob. It mentions talking to the film department (of the college) but would the school's film department here be able to be of use?
http://foreword.mbsbooks.com/?p=934

Day 17 Thoughts

Today, I was still blocked... it is throwing off my research rhythm. Today marks the start of my research on planning. I will absolutely have to keep Day 3's secret a total secret. That NPR article shows that.
The mentor meeting was today! We talked about the possiblities if I cannot get into a mall, since they may be liable, but we pretty much ruled out many of the parks in the area, and my mentor had an idea about a parking lot in a shopping center. It would have to be an empty area where there is visibility, or maybe even on the sidewalks around the stores? It will be warmer by then. The timeline is set.
Now until April- Research planning
April until the start of May- Planning and Flash Mob!
May- Presentation Prep
For the presentation, I want to do a video on my flash mob experience, maybe about 10-15 minutes with the actual flash mob, interviews of participants and the audience, and some videos of the practice.

A Basic Common-Sense Outline

This is from Wikihow, but it is just as a basic reference. I pretty much knew this all already, but it is nice to have it down somewhere.
http://www.wikihow.com/Organize-a-Flash-Mob

A Really Good Tip

Basically, do not spread the word beyond participants is the lesson here.
Newspapers were doing articles.... before the flash mob. Not a good thing.
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/20/132205587/planning-a-flash-mob-better-keep-it-quiet

Day 16 Thoughts

Wow, 16 days already.
Study hall today I was so upset! I couldn't get on here to work on my project. Youtube was opened to me... but my blog was blocked... and all of my prior research. It was still not fixed by the end of the period, so hopefully it is back up tomorrow, because it is so much harder to not just type directly into a post and have all of your thoughts just pour out. You also have all of your research. Today felt like day one all over again! I did take some use of my newest resource in school though, and looked at some Youtube interviews people have done, but I could not do what I was planning to do. I really do like that idea of the fake protest, the concept is awesome.

I Like This Concept

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtnJDZak080&feature=related
It's a fake protest from ImprovAZ. They had signs that were jokes and pretended to protest, all with different sayings, some not even a 'cause' but just a line like "That's what she said!"
I really like this idea, but would not want to copy it. But I like the concept of doing something that you expect to be something else at first sight, but closer up, it is something completely different.

A Video of an Interview of Charlie Todd

This was an interview of the creator of Improv Everywhere. My notes during the video:
Did not have Youtube originally
Became well known through Youtube
Do not call themselves flash mobs
From 1 to 4000 people
Quick Growth of the No Pants Subway ride-“Snow Ball Effect”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVojyd3H6Lw

Youtube Interview for Slo-Mo Home Depot

This was an interview of participants in the Slo-Mo Home Depot flash mob by Improv Everywhere. While watching the video, these were my notes:
People were surprised the number of people
People were amazed that it happened in the store
People would ignore some of them and just move around them
People were freaking out about why they would do it
People were confused
Employees were confused
People thought they were crazy
A woman was moving slow in an electric wheel chair, and a guy felt bad because he was afraid he would offend her by his moving slow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsFd7xFzSbw&feature=fvsrhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsFd7xFzSbw&feature=fvsr

Why? Why, why, why?

The school has blocked blogger... You have got to be kidding me. I will bring this up the MOMENT I walk into class because this needs to be fixed immediately.

Day 15 Thoughts

Today we talked about interviewing, and I think for most of my interviews, they will have to be over the internet, via chat or e-mail or internet phone. Some of the interviews I probably won't get or won't get a significant one, maybe a question or two, but they will be more useful for targeting specific views, while surveys will be needed for the general public. Interviewing can either be really difficult for me or it will really help me, depending on how much information I can gather from it.

Interviewee Ideas

People who created flash mob groups, like ImprovEverywhere.
Bill Wasik, father of the flash mob.
People who are parts of groups like ImprovEverywhere.
Police.
Police chiefs in cities where the flash mobs have occured.
PR reps. for companies that have done flash mobs for ads.
People from the show Mobbed.

Day 14 Thoughts

I didn't get to research today, but I did rule out the skating rink idea. It's way to dangerous. And I also decided I want to start researching planning early March. This gave me an idea for a guide titled 'How to Plan a Flash Mob' and to test the 'guide' by following it by making my own. It would be an easy way to summarize my research, and provide feedback on that research through real-life trial and error.

Weekend Two, Day 13 Thoughts

I never knew there were so many violent flash mobs. It's kind of disturbing. It's not even like they are roughing people up, people are being killed. These truly are the 'dark side' of flash mobs. These are happening all over the world. That list was truly disturbing to see some of the ones it mentions, like a man was hit by a train when he tried to escape when he was being beaten and mugged by a group.

A List of Flash Mobs

http://violentflashmobs.com/

This site is just a huge lists of violent flash mobs and attacks. There is such a long list. Some don't really classify as flash mobs, as there are only a few people, but there are still so many on there that classify.

Philadelphia Flash Mobs

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/us/25mobs.html

These were teens who beat up people in the streets of Philadelphia in 2010, blaming lack of activities. They also mention a curfew, suggesting they were at night. It mentions others in Boston, Brooklyn, and South Orange, NJ.

Weekend Two/Day 12

I had to go to my sister's soccer so I couldn't really do research today, but we were at a place that had a skating rink, and the idea of a skating flash mob came and quickly went due to the danger, but what about rushing to the empty center of the rink and doing something?

Day 11 Thoughts

When I was looking for legal information, all I saw was about the Philadelphia flash mobs, not about the ones you see on Youtube all of the time, but I fould some agreements for people who are joining a flash mob, and I will have to make something like that or have a post and whatever way I tell people, give them that site and say if you show up, you agree to the terms. I also read about special mall insurance? I've never heard of that, but I will have to be wary of it. Tomorrow I want to look more into the violent and robbing flash mobs.

Article on Hazards of Flash Mobs

http://www.alliedbarton.com/SecurityResourceCenter/SecurityAwarenessTips/PersonalandFamily/FlashMobSafety.aspx
I have a feeling this is a bit over-exaggerating the hazards, but it is helpful to know.

Another Legal Agreement

http://www.ultimateteenstar.com/term.html

At the end is a huge section about liability for injuries and damages caused by/to a person during the flash mob.

A Different Flash Mob's Legal Coverage

http://www.slideshare.net/TessaCunningham/wcs-flash-mob-signup-waiver

They basically make it so if you get hurt, it's not their fault and removes their liability. They also mention special mall insurance that costs money? I will have to watch out for this if I do a flash mob at a mall. That may make it easier for me to do one at a park or something since I would need to get money somehow.

Day 10 Already?

Looking back on the last 10 days, I am suprised with how much research I have actually gotten. I finished all of my classification posts today, took long enough, but it was my major week goal. I also found some good legal evidence that flash mobs are legal, as long as there is no ordinance requiring a permit in the town. This weekend I really want to work on liability issues, and the flash mobs that have turned to violence and theft, as these show when flash mobs violate the protections of the first amendment, since they are no longer peaceable. I want to know how they started, what the police did in response, and what legally resulted from them (I have some evidence for this already).

Political Flash Mobs

These REQUIRE a political motivation. They are different from a formal protest because they flash in, do their thing, and flash out.

The Phillippines

From Untitled?
The People Power II movement to get rid of the corrupt President in control at the time.

Power Shift


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8d6H5SSgMk


A youth movement in London. They dance in a park near Parliment and the London Eye. The group just kept growing and growing, but took too long to get to more than 5 people!

Advertising Flash Mob

These are used to promote a product or service by a company. They have been adapted to the popularity of flash mobs.

Ray Bans

http://urbanpeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/7.-ray-ban1-1024x248.jpg

People wore the glasses and were staring at a billboard in an attempt to get people to see the ad.

T-Mobile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ3d3KigPQM

This is a HUGE performance flash mob, but because it is to promote the company's service, it becomes.... advertising! I like how quickly it grows, and how 'audience members' are part of it and slowly add to the size of the mob.

Dodge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4VWPq__1vo

I like how they appear a part of the crowd, then slowly identify themselves by the shirts under their jackets.

Oops...

I didn't have time to do the classification post like I wanted too... Debate ran so late this time. Oh well, because other than the party, debate is over... Makes me sad. Tonight I WILL get the two posts done for advertising and political mobs. I can try to get everything but videos during class today, so I can get those at home tonight.

Day 9 Thoughts

I can't really do much from a bus.., but I got what I wanted too from the time I had in class and study hall for law articles, so I'll do a classification post for advertising flash mobs tonight hopefully, for political too if I'm lucky with my findings.

I'm so happy I found that article that mentions the first amendment rights protecting flash mobs. I will have to look up ordinances when I plan the real flash mob, but for now there really isn't much I can do since they vary from town to town.

Tomorrow in class I will have to look up liability issues if I can find anything. Oh and mentor meeting tomorrow.

The Bill of Rights

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/billofrights

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

So in other words, keep it peaceful. No attacking people.

An Article on the Topic in General

http://span.state.gov/jul-aug2010/eng/46-49-Flash-Mob.html
This article talks about the start and spread of the trend, but then (thankfully) tells me what I have been looking for--they are protected under the First Amendment, as long as it remains peaceful and presents no danger. I'm going to look up and analyze the First Amendment if I can, and I will have to look up ordinances in the town, as the article mentions that some areas require permits for large gatherings, but at a mall I do not think this is a problem, if I have permission from the mall.

An Article on the New Attempts at Anti-Flash Mob Laws

http://verdict.justia.com/2011/10/11/to-honor-first-amendment-rights-cleveland-and-other-cities-should-focus-on-flash-mob-violence-not-instant-messaging

This basically talks about protecting first amendment rights and how they need to be wary of how some laws come close to infringing on these, and how the focus should be the violence, not the use of the web.

An Interview with the Creator of Flash Mobs from Stay Free Magazine

http://www.stayfreemagazine.org/archives/24/flash-mobs-history.html

He talks about how he started the Mob Project, why he did it and how it spread, from his perspective.

Day 8 Thoughts

It was a really unproductive day for me, but at least I got one classification post up, and some articles on attempts to make laws related to flash mobs.
Maybe tomorrow I can get some new law articles on the way to the debate championship, since I won't have much time after debate, but I still do not have Youtube access in school. Oh well that's what after school is for right? I really like the concept of the MP3 experiment and how they use the technology. I would not want to use the same idea exactly, but it would be possible to do an instructional video if needed, or a song file that had instructions on what to do to make it easy to practice. The video was awesome.

Performance Flash Mob

This is the type of flash mob I originally had in mind. As of now it is still the plan, but as the project develops that may change.


This requires some pre-planning and organization by a central person. This is planned ahead of time and is typically not a big as an atomized flash mob or an interactive flash mob. These tend to be led by a comedy/art group.

"Glee" Flash Mobs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOiJkx4NtOM&feature=related

This a dancing one, I cannot tell if they are singing as well with the music, but if they are then it fits in with how I wanted my original idea. They are dancing to a mash-up of multiple songs, some parts choreographed, some not.

One Night of Fire

http://gothamist.com/attachments/garth/2006_07_30_onenightoffire.jpg

A bunch of people meet in Brooklyn where there are smaller things such as the one above. It is supposed to be a night of 'illusion' as the site for Danger says on its video for Past Exploits>Street

MP3 Experiment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG7F9G4AEak&feature=player_embedded

They use an MP3 file to give instructions to perform certain acts at about the same time. The result is a really pretty lights show in NYC. This is actually a really good way to use the technology availible today, and an easy way to make sure people do not forget.

Montgomery Co., Maryland

http://washingtonexaminer.com/2012/02/montgomery-county-flash-mob-theft-bill-killed/253871

There were robberies that occured in a 'flash mob' fashion in the county, so they tried to make a law to use the full value of the total theft to everyone that participates (if $5000 is stolen by 10 people, all 10 people are charged for $5000, instead of what they stole indiviually). The law did not make it past the judiciary committee.

Cleaveland, Ohio

http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/200798/3/Cleveland-Flash-mob-law-vetoed-by-Mayor-Jackson

The mayor of Cleaveland vetoed a law that would make organizing a flash mob a misdemeanor crime! It was vetoed due to being unconstitutional (Right to Free Assembly?) in August.

I'm going to look up similar laws like this, because this shows that the legal system is trying to make a change due to these flash mobs.

Late Night Inspiration

As usual, I can't help but think before bed. An idea came out of this typically useless mind-ramble. What if, for the flash mob, I try something new? The idea of a fake music video with a 'star' that parodies Rebecca Black meets Hannah Montana or Justin Beiber, and make it obviously amateur with a seriously egotistic 'star' who sings (horribly or mediocre) and has a really corny choreography, and have the northern tv crew film the 'music video' and how 'crowd members' filming the reactions of people with their phones, pretending to be recording the performance came up. I'd have to toss the idea around, as it would take a new spin on the performance flash mob and keep it original.

Day 7 Thoughts

Well today I got the first two types of flash mobs defined and gave some examples. I still have three more and I need to give the pros and cons for all five. I was driving home from school today, and I had my windows down. I was rolling them up, and my hair got caught in the window (embarrasing, I know), and it got me thinking that so much can go wrong if I am not paying attention. I will have to keep an eye on the people that are in the flash mob and make sure, if I do a performance flash mob, that I make sure I know everyone who is in it will be trustworthy. At the group meeting for the class, I was suprised how much progress I had to report. I actually got a lot of ground covered this last week. Hopefully I can maintain this pace. I was looking at my stats for the blog, and I can see you, viewers from Germany! And also, I don't have Firefox... so I know those aren't from me! Don't be afraid to comment, strangers.

Interactive Flash Mobs

People ACTUALLY interact! Unlike the atomized flash mob, this typically involves people playing some sort of 'game.'

Pillow Fight Flash Mobs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVms_sahfak
I like this video because they show how spontaneous the fight is, and how quickly people disperse. Basically people carry pillows, inconspicuously (how? It's a pillow...), and start a fight in the middle of the street with them then disappear in the crowd.

Capture the Flag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvHYgzg-oDE&feature=related
These tend to span an entire area, more of a net than a mob. These are dangerous (see video, kids running across traffic! An accident waiting to happen!). People attempt to capture a literal flag from a hidden location across the city and participants run around tagging people and trying to get the flag. Not a mob I'd want to do outside, maybe in a mall? Not city-wide as it is too dangerous.

"Light Saber" Flash Mob
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUZgrL85OKs
This video is from a flash mob a year old today! Awesome.
People hide lightsabers under their clothes then gather in a central location and then have a huge 'battle' in the middle of the area and then clear out after the battle. A little dangerous if someone gets hit a little hard during the flash mob.

Follow the Leader
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nMyC576c_Q
Basically a giant line. Not so entertaining, but it IS a flash mob, nonetheless.

A New Paper!!!

This one is really following the advertising side of flash mobs. It shows how the flash mob changed advertising. This will help how flash mobs changed culture. I will analyze later.


Flash Mobs and Viral Marketing
http://lcastrodale.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/flash-mobs-and-viral-marketing-lindsey-castrodale.pdf

The Father of the Flash Mob

http://www.upf.br/nexjor/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Bill_Wasik-560x840.jpg
This guy, Bill Wasik, is responsible for the first flash mobs. This guy! Does he really look like the creator of a huge teen trend? It's amazing where the sources of things that can change a generation come from.

Atomized Flash Mobs

So when I looked this up, I was number 4 on google's search results! So awesome.

For the definition, I will use what I wrote during my last paper analysis, because I really like the simple definition.

Atomized Flash Mob- Put into motion by electronic means, and people do not interact with one another and disperse quickly.

Bill Wasik's Macy's 2003 Mob (The Original Flash Mob!)

http://ofb.net/~epstein/sl/20030617-mob1.jpg

People were organized via email and other means to meet at the NYC Macy's in 2003. They inquired about a 'love rug,' claiming to be in a free-love commune. The cost of the rug? $10,000!

Frozen Grand Central

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo

The group ImprovEverywhere had 207 people freeze in the middle of Grand Central Station in NYC, and were briefed just before the actual flash mob, after being organized at a separate location. They were frozen for only 5 minutes and disappeared in to the crowd shortly after.

Silent Raves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CadjWh2P2Wo&feature=related

People dance to music no one can hear, can be through a shared station or typically their own music or none at all. Numerous videos on Youtube, but only so many that didn't play music over the video.... which kinda ruins the point of a SILENT rave...

Goals for the Week

Well I wasted a big chunk of study hall for a senior coach gift for a club, so hopefully I can make up some lost time by getting significant research tonight.

Goals for the week:

• Define the 5 types of flash mobs definitively (at least 1 a day?) from research


• Find numerous examples of the 5 types of flash mobs and find links on Youtube for video examples


• List of good and bad consequences (Consequences is a neutral term, actually. We have given it a negative connotation. Thank you psychology!) of different types


• Begin research into legal implications

Hopefully, I can get the types defined in class, but the Youtube links will need to be done at home, and the list will also hopefully come from some insight into the implications and from the definitions research.

The First Weekend, Part Two

After my post last night, I was talking to a cousin at a family party, and told him what my project was. At first he was confused that I was making a flash mob (for those who do not know, I tend to be known as a major rule-follower, and my cousins seem to think this especially), but then basically outlined my entire plan from the start of the project, and seemed enthused about the idea, and willing to participate. Know it or not, when I talked to people about my project last year I was getting similar reactions. I take this as a (kind of) good thing that people are so willing to participate.
Today, I read a paper from a student at Harvard on flash mobs, and he focused mainly on the origins and the causes that was not just the technological side like previous articles have emphasized, or purely the social aspect, as another previous article has. It has also provided some unique flash mobs for me to research as well.

Analyzing the Harvard Paper

This paper is most likely from a student, as it does not mention a title of professor, so I will need to use this for its sources and as a launching point for other ideas.

The paper begins with a description of the Macy's flash mob, the first real flash mob, and how quickly it spread from New York to the entire world, basically the birth of the flash mob. The paper then goes on to discuss how it will not be an analysis of the use of technology, but the meeting of technology and physical space. Then there is some of the social movements that came before the flash mob, such as Dadaism (the art world equivalent?), the Situationist Movement, the Spassguerilla in Germany, and Yippies. Flash mobs, according to the paper, are basically in cities, and the activites can range extremely. Then, the types of flash mobs are defined:
Atomized Flash Mob- Put into motion by electronic means, and people do not interact with one another and disperse quickly.
Interactive Flash Mob- A group of people interact in a public space that tends to disrupt the space's typical use, but is not illegal in its actions. They tend to make an 'urban playground' and are not choreographed.
Performance Flash Mob- Bring the art into the streets, and tend to be organized and have a lead member or members who plan the flash mob and the word is spread for participation.
Political Flash Mob- These have a political purpose, such as the one in the Phillipines.
Advertising Flash Mob- Started by a company as a way to promote a product.
The paper then analyzes how technology is not the only aspect of flash mobs, as not all flash mobs are successful. The most successful flash mobs have an "organizational backing." The 'best' is attributed to the 2008 Grand Central flash mob freezing in place (look up and watch). The need for physical proximity is also emphasized, as people who are hours away will not be able to assemble in a quick fashion. Youtube is emphasized for the spreading of popularity of flash mobs (I need access in school to look these up...). The entertainment aspect is also brought up. However, the downside that is the mess that flash mobs can leave in their wake is also brought up in that it wastes public resources (to make a flash mob that would not be harmful to society, I would have to make sure it would not leave a mess), and they tend to have no purpose besides the entertainment value. They are also tied to freedom of socialability, but in Asia and Eastern Europe tend to be more political.

Another Paper!

This one is from a Harvard student. The paper starts off saying it will not tie technology to flash mobs, so hopefully this will give some new insight.


Reframing Public Space Through Digital Mobilization: Flash Mobs and the Futility(?) of
Contemporary Urban Youth Culture
http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic497840.files/Molnar_Reframing-Public-Space.pdf

First Weekend, Day One

Today I did not really do research, but my friends went to a mall. Looking around, I could see good potential areas on the ground floor from the top floor. Saturday nights are busy at the mall I went to, but the restaurants were very full as well. I'd have to visit the spots I would want it to be to see the space and how it is used, like how the middle of the path in the mall between stores was empty and people stuck closer to the doors of stores. The intersections were empty, but there were kiosks in the way, so I would have to look for a relatively empty area, free of obstacles like kiosks, and people are able to move, but kiosks would not really move.

An Easy Definition of "Lifeworld"

Lifeworld is a term from Habermas that basically means shared understandings of the community.

Source: http://people.ucalgary.ca/~frank/habermas.html
(This is just a huge article on Habermas. All I got out of it was the definition of lifeworld.)

A Nice Explanation of "Public Sphere"

The public sphere is a place where ideas are freely shared, such as the old 'saloons' or a public hall. It involves the government, the citizens, the media, and private interests.

Source:
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTGOVACC/Resources/PubSphereweb.pdf

The Secret from Day 3!

A flash mob test, in the halls of NBC! A small 10-15 person flash mob, followed by a survey the next day to see the spread and knowledge of it in the school. DO NOT PUBLISH!

Day 4, Analyzing Second Article

I still cannot find the title of the paper. The beginning of the paper outlines what it will discuss. This paper will be making an analysis of trends in mobile technology then of flash mobs, so I assume that this paper makes a connection between mobile tech. and flash mobs. This will differ from the first paper I read. I found the article while looking up a term used in the previous article.

The article is tying the extreme increase of cellphone usage from 2001-2008 (the diagrams are actually really shocking) to the increase of mass communication. This ties the usage of sites like Facebook that made phone-internet usage increase sharply. The paper is using flash mobs as the combination of mass communication and physical space. Social networking has passed the usage of email, and mobile internet is now used more than desktop internet (Coincidentally, I posted last night's thoughts journal from my phone!).

The first sentence of the second part is to directly tie mass communication to the creation of the flash mob (quick to the point?). The first 'primitive' form of a 'flash mob' was to organize a protest in the Phillipines in 2001 (I want to look this up!) He then describes 'atomized' flash mobs as ones without purpose other than to use the technology that has become availible (the earliest forms of the ones we know today; Macy's, 2003). He ties their popularity to programs like Youtube, to spread across the world. "Interactive flash mobs" are for the interaction alone (hanging with friends; these can be destructive). Performance flash mobs are to make an artistic statement (typically led by one main organizer), and advertising flash mobs to promote a product (T-Mobile Liverpool). Political flash mobs are ones relative to the Phillipines mob, to make a political statement. The internet is attributed to the success of flash mobs. The paper then has a number of sites that promote flash mobs (good for finding sources to interview?) It then alks about the implications, such as the ones recently in Philadelphia (I call them flash 'robs'...). While the paper makes the statement that the true 'flash mob' may be over, I'm not quite sure about that. With the numbers of people using the internet on mobile phones, such as the Droid or iPhone, I think that they may rise back up, or their successors will.

Day Three-Thoughts and Reflections

After my meeting with my mentor, I feel a bit more confident in my ability to complete my research to the program's expectations. He even had an idea for research purposes that due to the nature of the idea, we're keeping it a secret! I'm going to put it into a draft for my own reference and post it when it can be released, so probably not for a while. The article today gave me some new research ideas but it is not as similar to my project as I suspected, but the research methods are very helpful, as he talks about what he found to be most efficient, as well as gave me some starting points for further research. I found a 52 page paper in my follow-up searches for a definition of a word. Hopefully I can start that article tonight and tomorrow have it finished.

Day Three, Analysis of First Article, During Reading

As I am reading through the first article, the one I found yesterday, I am findig he talks a lot about "colonization of the lifeworld" and the "public sphere." A problem from his research was that he found it hard to find a flash mob occuring during his research from the groups running flash mobs in his area of Texas (oh, yeah there are apparently groups that just do flash mobs!), a problem I hopefully will not have, being the person running the flash mob. Site to talk to others on flash mobs mentioned: Urban Pranksters (P.S. apparently this site has been becoming replaced by the introduction of Facebook, as he mentions later). He then talks about comparing the people who participate in the flash mobs, and using social networking like Facebook to contact other people who are in flash mobs (good idea, may have to use for significant interviewing). He found problems with email interviews, and phone and in person were significantly longer (maybe a chat on skype for long distance interviews is an idea?). He then gives some of his interview questions, some that tie into my research so far, but none that are from the perspective of the audience, just the performers. He also talks of Youtube and how it is used to broadcast performances. He has a problem generalizing flash mobs due to the variety in flash mobs. Guerrilla theater is compared in its lack of spontaneity and more preparation. He points out that one of the few traits shared across flash mobs is that the people must be bold. According to his population sample, people rarely mention a cause/awareness for the flash mob. He does include the motivation of recognition aided by Youtube. This is an answer to the question on evolution of flash mobs-they become eternal (kinda) and world-wide instead of a small mall food court. He also uses an interview response mentioning video choreography in order to get more people to show up. He discusses turnout versus complexity, which reminds me of a concept in Psychology of the difficulty of tasks versus arousal. A more difficult task needs less arousal for optimal performance, and more arousal for simple tasks. For a larger flash mob, you need a more simple task (freezing in place). For a smaller flash mob, you need a more difficult task (a dance and song). Sites like Youtube can make the more difficult performance larger. He then talks about the use of flash mobs as their own form of social interactions. Another point is that it should not be detrimental to the natural happenings of the venue (not filling and blocking an entire hall in a mall). Positive results defined as: Attention. Purpose options: Promote consumerism, or distract from it.

Another Huge Article

While looking for the definition of a word used in my first major paper I was reading , I found another paper on networking and flash mobs almost twice as long. Yay?

Untitled?
http://www.lulu.com/items/volume_68/8785000/8785535/1/print/Book.pdf

Day 2 of.... a Lot.

Today we talked about annotated bibliographies. My first paper on flash mobs basically had almost everything I wanted to do for the social part of my research. Because the writer is only a junior in college, I will use this as a way to find new sources and hopefully get some ideas with sources not on the internet, such as interviews and surveys. The paper was so long I didn't get to read the entire paper before the end of the period and between debate and homework I probably will not get to reading the entire thing tonight, but hopefully I can read the entire thing for the annotated bib. tomorrow and summarize it on the page I made for the bibliography.

Um... repost?

So I was reading a report in class, and it is exactly what the social aspect of my project is about. They answer similar questions, everything. Hopefully this report will answer many of my questions and give me some ideas for sources to follow up on conclusions for the paper. The writer is a college junior at the time, majoring in sociology, so I will want to follow up on his conclusions, but this is definitely a good starting point.


Performing in the Public Sphere: Flash Mobs and Their Participants
http://web3.unt.edu/honors/eaglefeather/wp-content/2010/08/Rodriguez-Atilano-081210-SE1.pdf

First Official Day of Journaling

So for now on, I will need to keep a daily log of all of my activities relative to the project. Fun for all of you who read this. Today is the first official day of computer time for our projects, and I discovered I almost couldn't get on to the blog because the updated view is not supported on my browser! Thank goodness for 3g phones that can set my view back to the older view.

One of the recommended journal topics was essential questions. For my project, an essential part will be the social effects of flash mobs. What social changes have occurred due to flash mobs? What social trends caused flash mobs? How has society evolved the flash mob? What are their legal implications? When it comes to planning the flash mob, research will require a more in depth study of all kinds of flash mobs. What kinds of flash mobs are most successful? Least successful? What can cause success? Failure? What is an ideal size for a flash mob? How long do they take to plan? How many people are needed to organize the ideal number of people? There is definitely a large number of things to research, and I have a feeling YouTube and I will become good friends this semester.
One issue is that I will be using mostly Internet sources and magazine articles, since the likelihood of books on flash mobs is low, but I will have to at least look. We discuss research info tomorrow in class, hopefully I can plan a research strategy from that.

Interview Practice

In today's interview practice, I group interviewed with Clarissa and Kim. The interviewing really made me think about the possible implications of the project. So many different things could get in the way of ANY project, not just mine. Kim was mostly worried about not achieving as much as she wanted, and Clarissa was worried that something could go wrong in her planning. This made me realize similar problems could come up with my project as well. What if I don't get as many people as I think I can? What if things get out of hand and I didn't plan for something like rain outside or people IN the place? Everyone seems so excited, but the excercise was more sobering about the possibility of this than anything else. As to actually interviewing, the experience was different since there was two people interviewing the same person, but it was easier to quote little snipets of what they would say to write down instead of word-for-every-word. I think I could have asked some more questions than what was on the board about what they planned to do, instead of just fears and what they were excited about. Hopefully, everyone reaches their goals. This is going to be an exciting semester.