Flash Mobs, a Grim Vision of the Future April 19, 2007
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Information chips implanted in the brain. Electromagnetic pulse weapons. The middle classes becoming revolutionary, taking on the role of Marx’s proletariat. The population of countries in the Middle East increasing by 132%, while Europe’s drops as fertility falls. “Flashmobs” – groups rapidly mobilised by criminal gangs or terrorists groups.
This is the world in 30 years’ time envisaged by a Ministry of Defence team responsible for painting a picture of the “future strategic context” likely to face Britain’s armed forces. It includes an “analysis of the key risks and shocks”. Rear Admiral Chris Parry, head of the MoD’s Development, Concepts & Doctrine Centre which drew up the report, describes the assessments as “probability-based, rather than predictive”.
The 90-page report comments on widely discussed issues such as the growing economic importance of India and China, the militarisation of space, and even what it calls “declining news quality” with the rise of “internet-enabled, citizen-journalists” and pressure to release stories “at the expense of facts”. It includes other, some frightening, some reassuring, potential developments that are not so often discussed.
Technology
By 2035, an implantable “information chip” could be wired directly to the brain. A growing pervasiveness of information communications technology will enable states, terrorists or criminals, to mobilise “flashmobs”, challenging security forces to match this potential agility coupled with an ability to concentrate forces quickly in a small area.
Cosplay Flash Mob Ends In Police Raid! April 11, 2007
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Location: Japan
Date: April 8th, 2007
Number of Participants: around 50
Japanese cosplayers (anime costume hobbyists) met in the middle of Akihabara, Tokyo’s nerd-mecca to perform a flash mob style dance routine. The video is really cool but the participants scatter once the cops show up.
100 Person Flash Mob Randomly Chasing After People March 15, 2007
Posted by flashmobvids in Flash Mob, Just for fun, Video.1 comment so far
Location: Japan
Date: 2006
Number of Participants: 100
I question whether this is truly a Flash Mob but I posted it nonetheless. This is a clip titled ‘Troop of One Hundred’, taken from a Japanese comedy/prank show. 100 people chase after random strangers and their reactions are recorded. These unsuspecting targets are left dazed and confused.
Translation of what they’re shouting:
- For the 1st and 2nd run, they shout: “There’s a tsunami!!” (tsunami da!)
- For the 3rd run they shout: “That’s the guy!!” (koitsu da!)
- Nothing for the 4th run
- Last scene: “Watch out!! (danger)” (abunai!)
Central Hall Chant Flash Mob March 5, 2007
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Location: York (United Kingdom)
Date: December, 2006
Number of Participants: Around 30
Students at York University performed this wonderful chant flash mob in their one of their dinning halls. About 50% of the people were in on it and the rest were unsuspecting bystanders.
Prague Pillow Fight Flash Mob February 26, 2007
Posted by flashmobvids in Flash Mob, Just for fun, Video.1 comment so far
Location: Prague (Czech Republic)
Date: 24 February, 2007
Number of Participants: Around 50
This Flash Mob took place on Old Town Square, right in front of all the tourists for maximum effect.
Sidewalk Surfer Flash Mob February 23, 2007
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Location: Perth (Australia)
Date: 25 November, 2006
Number of Participants: Around 80
“Sidewalk surfer was very funny. The look of total confusion as Saturday shoppers walked around the corner only to see 80 people surfing their towels to the sound of “Wipe out ” by the Toy Dolls, was great.”
Via DO-or-DIY
Exercise Flash Mob February 21, 2007
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Location: Warsaw (Poland)
Date: 16 December, 2006
Number of Participants: Around 60
This is a beautifully executed Flash Mob which took place in the Warsaw center metro station.
First ever Loughborough Flash Mob! (Worship the Sock Man) February 20, 2007
Posted by flashmobvids in Flash Mob, Just for fun, News, Video.1 comment so far
Location: Loughborough (United Kingdom)
Date: 6 December, 2006
Number of Participants: Around 100
This was the first ever Lufbra Flashmob event organised by Oliver Markwardt and team and filmed by John Amery.
ITV Central News Article on the ‘Worship of the Sock Man’ flash mob.
Best Buy Flash Mob! February 19, 2007
Posted by flashmobvids in Anti-Consumerism, Flash Mob, Just for fun, Video.add a comment
Location: 23rd Street (NYC, USA)
Date: 23 April, 2006
Number of Participants: 80
Improv Everywhere planned out this incredible mission:
“The idea for this mission was submitted by a stranger via email. Agent Slavinsky wrote in to suggest I get either a large group of people in blue polo shirts and khakis to enter a Best Buy or a group in red polo shirts and khakis to enter a Target. Wearing clothing almost identical to the store’s uniform, the agents would not claim to work at the store but would be friendly and helpful if anyone had a question.”
Via Improv Everywhere (includes a lot more info)
Pillow Fight Flash Mob – Valentine’s Day February 19, 2007
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Location: San Francisco (California, USA)
Date: 14 February, 2007
Number of Participants: Several 100
“A pillow fight flash mob is a fad that has emerged from the social phenomenon of flash mobbing. The flash mob version of massive pillow fights is distinguished by the fact that nearly all of the promotion is Internet-based. These events occur around the world, some taking the name Pillow Fight Club after the London pillow fight group.
While ordinary pillow fights have existed for as long as there have been pillows, the difference here is that these events are massive in scale, occur in public and are promoted primarily via the Internet. Many massive pillow fights have been organized for in an effort to break Guinness World Records. Others have been organized by university students around the world for fun. Pillow fight club was founded by Ben Cummins also founder of Mobile Clubbing. Since Pillow Fight Club’s first massive event (17:40, 6th Oct 2004, outside St. Paul’s Cathedral) large gatherings of pillow fights seem to have become much more common.”
Via Wikipedia
