dagblog - Comments for "Uncut Flashmobs: Undermining the Power Structure Through Humor and Humiliation"

Last-minute dance-and -music

we are stardust — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:36:01 +0000

In reply to A relative told me about the

Last-minute dance-and -music Raves were all done by text-message and social networks, too. In this case, the hint might have been the basketball court location, the known gang members, etc. Kinda different than a group of 20 or 40 in front of a bank or corporate headquarters at 4:30, when employees are getting off work, maximizing exposure. And in most case, the fun music, laughter and pamphleting probably separate the Uncut kind from the Gang kind. But yes, one commenter at fdl mentioned the probability of infiltrators; but then, who'd care? It's all legal. Though some in the UK were arrested, and it's not clear why.

It's always nice if anarchists stay the hell away from demos. IMO. Can't figure them out, really, unless they are so bored and spoiled they need to feel powerful through throwing things through plate glass or something.

A relative told me about the

artappraiser — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:30:18 +0000

In reply to Uncut Flashmobs: Undermining the Power Structure Through Humor and Humiliation

A relative told me about the following "flashmob" incident which he witnessed; Previous to that he had never heard of the term. I googled and found the reporting on it.

http://laist.com/2011/04/18/venice_boardwalk_shooting_happening.php

He often goes to Venice Beach to play pick up basketball. He saw the hundreds of what he thought were clearly gang members milling about, felt the scary tension in the air, asked a cop what was going on, who said it was a flashmob set up by gangs. He heard the gunshot and saw the scattering described:

http://laist.com/2011/04/18/venice_boardwalk_shooting_happening.php

Which made me realize flashmobs are just a tool like any other, which can be used for good or ill. Since flashmobs are relatively new, we have mostly seen the good, the harmless and the political protests. It all seems innocent enough now. But things may not stay that way, a mob is after all, a mob, and cannot be easily controlled once formed. And then I wonder how law enforcement is going to deal with that. Either rely on snitches to report or, like in China, attempt to monitor most everything. It also made me think of how the protest against Koran burning in Afghanistan that ended up with dead UN employees was formed just like a flashmob, they just didn't need any text messages to do it, they instead had word of mouth during Friday services.

Fantastic dancers, too --

we are stardust — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:04:52 +0000

In reply to I gotta tell ya, I was so

Fantastic dancers, too -- oof! The videos with the soundtrack in synch were all 'video embed withdrawn' or whatever. Glad you liked it; me too. ;o) And try not to remember the images of Swazey dancing Baba Wawa on her special...

Great song, Dick. I was

quinn esq — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:52:32 +0000

In reply to I can admit it all now, cause

Great song, Dick. I was touched. ;-)

I gotta tell ya, I was so

Richard Day — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:38:03 +0000

In reply to Happy Ten Commandments Day,

I gotta tell ya, I was so moved by this old song, I tabbed it so I could listen to it while I responded!

This is so delightful. I'm speechless and usually irrelevant anyway. ahahahahah

Happy Ten Commandments Day,

we are stardust — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:20:34 +0000

In reply to Pop goes the weasel.

Happy Ten Commandments Day, Dick. Knock yerself out! (Not I am leaving it full-sixed for you.)

I can admit it all now, cause

Richard Day — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:19:15 +0000

In reply to Yea, Dick. Cuz what we all

I can admit it all now, cause i could give a good shite about peer acceptance...

But when I saw this scene I went nuts. I was emotionally lifted.

Of course, after i thought about it, I mean what the hell did the welder have to do with the 33?

And I had to recall that Hepburn had little to do with Shaw's musical. hahahahahah

Pop goes the weasel.

Richard Day — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:17:04 +0000

In reply to Kinda wondered what he

Pop goes the weasel. hahahahaah

Kinda wondered what he

we are stardust — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:44:04 +0000

In reply to Yea, Dick. Cuz what we all

Kinda wondered what he connected this song to; not to 'fight the power structure' flashmobs. Just more er...Dick Fantasies....but nice interlude, DD. But no fucking way you get an award. ;o)

(I loathe pop.) ;o)

Yea, Dick. Cuz what we all

Obey — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:37:40 +0000

In reply to always loved that song:

Yea, Dick. Cuz what we all love about this video is ... the song.

;0)