Local Smart Mobs

Howard Rheingold discusses how innovative technologies, such as cell phones, have played a vital role in the formation and organization of demonstrations and inspiring overthrows and revolutions. Rheingold refers to this as “smart mobs” and touches on several instances in which successfully led to a government overthrow. This type of organizing by means of technology is growing. Although cell phones were prevalent among the cases Rheingold refers to, I feel today people are using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. The protests in Egypt were ignited by Twitter and inspired further action and protests. These demonstrations were making a large impact in Egypt and causing a threat to government and were eventually shut down altogether. This is just one example of the power of technology and how ‘smart mobs’ are evolving and updating their communication mediums.
Locally, there have also been different forms of “smart mobs.” Before the voting on the 21 ordinance, several groups were organized through Facebook to attend City Council meeting that objected the ordinance. According to the Facebook event page, more than 400 members were attending and 430 were awaiting reply. Although not all 400 showed up at the city council meeting, the large numbers of response on the Facebook event page brought media attention and helped publicized students viewpoints on the ordinance. Overall, the event was still successful in that the city council had to turn people away from the doors because the meeting room was filled to capacity. Facebook continued to help groups advocating for both sides of the issue by organizing groups of support or against the ordinance which allowed organizers to plan other events as well. Although this type of organization wasn't to the same extent as the cases Rheingold refers to throughout the article, this shows smart mobs can exist in other forms. I think this type of mobilization will continue and grow as new forms of technology are introduced.