How to Become a Flash Mob Participant

Join the mob -- the flash mob -- for a whole new twist on crowdsourcing.

If the thrill of never quite knowing what you'll be doing for the day, where to go and who to spend time with sounds enticing, join a mob-worthy group that brings spice and liveliness to the most random of places. Flash mobs, crowds that appear and do something strange for their setting, pop up instantly because mob members are linked through electronic technology. Participation in a flash mob requires little but your own sense of adventure and a way to receive the mob's missives.

Things You'll Need

• Cell phone or Internet connection

Instructions

1. Join a flash mob mailing list, which may require submitting your cell phone number to receive text messages.

2. Watch for flash mob messages posted on social networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook and Craigslist.

3. Read the information in the text about the plans for the flash mob, which may include learning very specific dance steps, putting your clothes on backward or making signs.

4. Note the date, time and location for the flash mob to appear. Flash mobs depend on participants being exactly on time. For your first flash mob, get to the spot a little early but do not call attention to yourself, especially if you are wearing or carrying strange items.

5. Wait for the signal, which may be the start of a song or a shouted word. Race into position, usually in line with others in the crowd, and begin the action, which could be sitting silent facing a person at a protest, mimicking a trendy dance craze or falling over in place as if asleep in the middle of the street.

6. Walk away after the flash mob action is complete. Part of the mystique is that flash mobs appear, complete their act and dissipate immediately; participants do not hang around and socialize. Wait for the next message calling to action.

References

• University of Florida: Flash Mob 101
• The Daily Collegian; Students Gather For Flash Mob; Mike Hricik; April 2011