More recently, a flash mob entered our everyday life, or rather, burst in, glowing with rich colors and giving indescribable emotions. The answer to a question of concern to many: "Flash mob - what is it?" - simple enough. In the literal translation, flash is an instant, a flash, and mob is a crowd, we combine two words, and it turns out - an instant crowd. In an expanded interpretation, a flash mob is a pre-carefully planned action, quite massive, during which a large group of mobbers appears in a specific, usually public, place at the appointed time, which performs the previously agreed actions. After that, the participants disperse in different directions, as if nothing had happened. It is believed that this phenomenon is a kind of smart mob.
From smart mob to flash mob
This phenomenon appeared a long time ago, but the name was coined by the sociologist and writer Howard Reingold in 2002. In fact, a smart mob - in translation - "smart crowd", a group of people who, having previously agreed on a scenario / action plan, gets together. Moreover, their goals can be very diverse, from a political conspiracy to overthrow the ruling government, to solve ordinary everyday problems.
Previously, organizing an action of this magnitude was quite problematic, because finding a large number of like-minded people, discussing the scenario beforehand and at the same time avoiding the wide publicity of the planned one was almost impossible. But the appearance of the World Wide Web has changed the sad state of affairs, today almost every second person knows the answer to the question: “Flash mob - what is it?”. Now, the most ordinary people, having access to the Internet, got the opportunity to easily join social groups and quickly coordinate their actions. A flash mob differs from a smart mob in that it is exclusively entertaining in nature. No wonder they write and talk about the flash mob, that such an action can be called a fascinating psychological experiment, a kind of new direction in art. Although the fundamental idea is far from innovative, the new-fangled action looks a lot like the performances and happenings practiced in the twentieth century.
End justifies the means? Flash mob - what is it: a goal or a means?
Naturally, the purpose of the event leaves a significant imprint on the entire process of its preparation and conduct. Flash mob 2013, as before, needs a considerable number of spectators, which is why it is held in rather crowded places like the main squares of the city or train stations. One of the most important conditions for a funny phenomenon - everything that happens should not look like a pre-arranged event, it should seem spontaneous. Mobbers do not show that they are familiar with each other, there are no distinctive signs, especially - the same costumes. If shooting is supposed, then it should be hidden, because the presence of a camera would immediately betray the plannedness of the upcoming action.
Why do mobbers do this?
The indisputable fact is that participation in flash mobs gives a sweet feeling of triumph, going beyond the gray routine, the desired high spirits that distinguishes any holiday from everyday life. So why not experiment and arrange a flash mob for graduation, making the long-awaited holiday more vivid and memorable? During the flash mob, a specific psychological unloading takes place , which allows you to relieve tension, and this will undoubtedly make the holiday atmosphere even more fun and laid back. We recommend everyone who has not yet encountered this phenomenon to find out from friends and search the media for the answer to the question: “Flash mob - what is it?”.