A flash mob reads instructions and acts out sychronised movements, outside the London Eye
(PA/EMPICS)
Flash Mobs
What's a flash mob? Not a gang of hooligans wearing Gucci, but
a large group that gathers somewhere, performs a brief 'action'
and then breaks up quickly, often within minutes. Co-ordinated
by e-mail and SMS, participants in flash mobs often aren't told
exactly what they're supposed to do until just before the event
happens.
In August 2003, a flash mob gathered at an Oxfam charity shop
in Birmingham. Stripping off their clothes, the group waved them
around their heads while doing a rendition of 'Give it Away' by
the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They then donated their clothes to
the store and ran off.
The creator of flash mobbing, known only as Bill, summarises
the concept: 'a mob, for no reason'. But in fact, flash mobs are
becoming a more and more established part of direct action political
organising. Their apparently spontaneous actions are very difficult
for anyone to stop – always an advantage if you want to cause
temporary chaos!
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