Blog Eight: Motives of Smart Mobs

This week we read about Howard Rheingold’s thoughts regarding “smart mobs.” Smart Mobs rely on mobile technology to perform the tactics that make Smart Mobs so successful. These mobs became prevalent once SMS technology was developed. SMS is an acronym for “short messaging system.” One of the reasons why SMS is so advantageous in the methods of smart mobs is because of its ability to relay simple messages briefly, quickly, and maybe most importantly, SMS is a very cheap form of communication. Because everyone has mobile devices either in phone form or other, Smart Mobs are most likely here to stay. After reading Rheingold’s work and having our discussion in class, these smart mobs can motivate and produce political and social changes. These mobs are self-regulating and often have no hierarchy in terms of dictating messages across to an organization, government or group of people. However, the big worry here is that smart mobs with the power that they have could prove to be dangerous for millions of people across the planet. Criminal organizations and the spread of Terrorism are two examples of groups that have the ability and the means to use smart mobs in a negative fashion. What could make the tactics of Smart Mobs so dangerous is the privacy that is involved. Nations, especially the U.S., do not have the ability to examine private messages without a warrant. Furthermore, even if the U.S. could surpass these laws, the scale in which they would have to stop these messages would be next to impossible. The only tactic that is available is solid prevention. The spread of false information to many people could prove to be lethal in the future.

Although some smart mobs have been strictly used for political purposes, other smart mobs have been used in entertainment as well. In 2005, a group of U2 fans at a concert in Poland used the schemes of other smart mobs to create their own effect. 70,000 fans at the concert waved the colors red and white representing the Polish flag. The idea to perform these acts of national pride on such a big scale was spread from the internet. Additionally, the band member Bono, who is known around the world for his anti-poverty efforts, was even influenced by the Polish act of honor and made it clear to his audience that he too was in on the act by showing the red lining on the inside of his jacket.

U2 concert in Poland