Smart mobs have arrived in full force, largely due to mobile devices, which have enhanced their capacities tremendously. Smart mobs can be a great service and disservice, it is important to realize their capacity yields a double-edged sword. Smart mobs are groups who act in an organized manner through communicating by ways never before possible. Hand held devices with computing and communication abilities are everywhere, connecting people to each other and their environment. These devices give smart mobs the capacity to organize and act at an astonishing speed. It is important to note that the term “mobile ad hoc” is the same thing as a smart mob.
Howard Rheingold argues that smart mobs are characterized by a lack of central authority, the ability to organize quickly, and the use of the World Wide Web. While smart mobs can be used for negative purposes such as civil disobedience and political unrest, the phenomenon has created a vast network of intelligent users willing to act. Obviously smart mobs can be used to instigate or organize fights, and spread slander but they aren’t entirely negative. Smart mobs effectively push political agendas, organize protests, increase civic participation and even have the capacity to play a crucial role in overthrowing a tyrannous dictator. The importance of mobile devices cannot be understated. These devices have increased the capacity for citizen journalism, creation of mobile communities, and can even be the “spark” for a new romance. Moreover, mobile devices were imperative to the development of smart mobs and ensure these communities stay connected.
Thousands of examples of smart mobs exist, but a particularly interesting one occurred in Poland in 2009. This example is important because it shows the prevalence of smart mobs and Internet communication in Eastern Europe (which is underdeveloped compared to Western Europe). During a U2 concert, the crowd in Chorzow coordinated the creation of a huge polish flag, by waving red and white pieces of cloth, over the Internet (organization was done prior to the concert). The event is a beautiful display of what smart mobs can be used for.
Rheingold, Howard "Smart Mobs: The Power of the Mobile Many"
Great example of how our innovative technology can be used now to generate such powerful examples and portrayals of peoples' feelings. However, I felt it was essential to note that positive and negatives both can come of 'smart-mobs'. Just as necessary to point out, this example is just about the epiphany of cellular devices as they are used for typical everyday usage such as notifications for friends and/or family and shorter conversations, etc.
ReplyDeleteGreat example of Smart Mobs. But my question is what are they waving those flags for? I didnt really catch that. I know that they communicated online to do that but what was that for? Was it just for a new innovative technology or was it a political reason?
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