A flash mob is an incredible phenomenon. When hundreds of strangers congregate at the same place at the same time to dance to Beyonce’s Single Ladies or to stand frozen in Grand Central Station, it reminds us all that spontaneity, community, and collective awesomeness are within our grasp. With social networking and geolocation-enabled smart phones, flashmobs are easier than ever to find and to organize.
While we know we are capable of coming together to dance and sing, why don’t we create a site that helps us organize flash mobs for social good? While Twitter, Facebook, and Smartphnes helped facilitate the large gatherings that have led to the Arab Spring, we have yet to realize the same social impact with our American or European gatherings.
Such gatherings would be brief - flash mobs usually last about 5-10 minutes - but meaningful if there is a clear message and enough of an audience. Here are a few ideas for ways to use flash mobs for the greater good.
Political Statements: The image of a lot of people doing the same thing in one place can have an enormous social impact, one which could easily be focused into a political statement. The Occupy Wall Street Meditation mob was a great start and they have continued in other cities. But flash protests shouldn’t just be limited to the Occupy Movement—any socially conscious political cause should consider using flash mobs as a way to increase their visibility and promote their agenda!
Economic Growth: Flash mobs can also be harnessed to stimulate the economy, especially for local businesses. Cash Mob uses the flash mob model to assemble a large group of people to spend $20 at a locally owned business, which supports local economies and helps keep struggling businesses afloat.
Volunteering: Ireland uses flash mobs to rally large groups of people on their National Day of Volunteering, and the Flash Mob Volunteer Organization uses this model to gather groups of strangers to participate in volunteering events. Perhaps Habitat for Humanity, local beach cleanups, or Red Cross blood drives could use the help of a huge, spontaneous group of volunteers.
Public Health: There have already been flash mobs of breastfeeding mothers to encourage women to breastfeed their children but what about other ways to use this model to promote healthy habits? What if Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign used flash mobs to encourage spontaneous exercise or a massive multi-player game of tag? Flash mobs like this could be a good way to make healthy habits visible, encouraging people to make more sustainable life choices.
In short, flash mobs are awesome. Why not make them even better by harnessing them towards a social good? Please share your own ideas for cool flash mobs as well. Who knows, it might just happen…