Blog 7 - Flashmobs Response

I was completely amazed when we discussed the topic on "flashmobs." It was extremely interesting to me how such a large amount of people come together to perform a certain task at a specific time. The people that participate in these events are usually dedicated to a common interest and are connected through several people.

When thinking about what in the world of print might correspond to the communications that underpin flashmobs, newspaper announcements and letters are what come to my mind. In order to communicate an idea through print to numerous people, one may post an announcement in a newspaper or send a letter to every person. However, the term "print" has changed its meaning in several ways.

Print no longer is specified to a written document. Forms of print are now influenced through text messaging, emails, chain letters, and ect. Digital communications have enhanced the ways people can announce certain information to people. Instead of writing a letter or posting a news article, which can take a day or two, people can send information to one another in a matter of seconds.

In the case of flashmobs, a person can text detailed information to others dealing with location, time, and action, with a few clicks of a button. Also, the information can be sent to several people at a single time. Digital technologies allow people to give information faster and to a greater number of people. For example, with a cell phone and a contact list you can send a message to everyone in your phone, followed by all of those people sending the same information to everyone on their contact list. It is incredible how fast information leaks in a matter of seconds! Also, digital technologies give people the advantage to respond to one another right away. Therefore, if people are choosing to participate in a certain flashmob or not, they can give that information to other people.

Now that there is such a large number of digital technologies, people are able to send pictures of how the flashmob location looks, due to camera phones. People can record the flashmobs taking place by using their cell phones or digital camera and have the event posted on youtube a few minutes later.

In the future, the number of flashmobs participants can possibly grow and lead to a flashmob taking place not only in one specific area, but in many areas as well. I wonder if there will be the same flashmob taking place at the exact time in different cities, states, or maybe even countries!