blog 7- flashmobs

Flashmobs are really interesting. A large group of people come together at the same time to achieve a common goal. Flashmobs have different purposes. For example, one flashmob occured in New York, in the middle of Times Square where hundred of people demonstrated a pillow fight just for fun. Another flashmob taped their mouths shut and stood there as a political statement. Hundreds to thousands of people unify to become nsync. It is amazing to bare witness to such an event, furthermore to be a part. Exactly how do these people come together at the same time and place? Mostly cellphones. Text messaging is the main communication of flashmobs. Chain texts are sent to people, who in turn forwad the message to eveyone in their contact list, and so on and so forth. A typical flashmob message may read "Times Square, 3:30pm 2/20/09-PILLOW FIGHT". Some people are signed up for a flashmob list, whom recieve the message first. Other communication methods include emails and word of mouth. These older communications are not as effective or as easy as text messaging by a cellphone. Emails may not regularlly be checked and information can be distorted or forgotten by word of mouth. Texting is immediate, fast, and not to mention most cells have picture messaging. Picture messaging can be helpful in regards to images that people can see, like exactly where to be, etc. Letters through the mail are much to slow, time consuming, and cost money. For all these reasons, text messaging is the main way of flashmobs communicating. If plans are changed, people will recieve the news immediately. As a result of such a fast communication method, more flashmobs are occuring. They are more organized and effecitve. Not to mention probably larger in size.
In the future, I'm not sure what other communications flashmobs may utilize. Texting seems to be working out great. A voice memo and videos are already available but I think texting is the best way to communicate. The information is in black and white, with almost no chance of misunderstanding as their could be with a voice memo (if someone had an accent per se). I think it is obvious why text messages underpin the flashmobs communication.