History behind Flash Mobs and the Cultural Sensation

Have you ever been in a flash mob before?

Remember those? Remember back in those days when you are just going about your day, and you see a collective amount of people dressed up, They came together to dance. Mostly for going to the prom proposals, promoting a product, or just because. 

As far as I know, flash mobs have been there for decades, but for a long time, flash mobs have not been prevalent on TikTok or Instagram. 

I'm guessing more people don't have time to come together to dance. Maybe they feel embarrassed or just don't have enough time. 

The last dance flash mob I'd seen was on YouTube, and I have not seen one in person lately.

And it was this viral video located in a shopping centre. Four women were dressed like flight attendants, and then, airport staff came to dance as well. Onlookers looked at an awe and filmed with their phones. Even some guy breakdanced while some guy in a green suit jumped from a duty-free counter. 

I can tell the onlookers were pleased and excited by the flash mob! 

On a side note: It was funny to see the DVD logo, it just shows how old this video was. And people loved every moment of it. Feel free to watch it below. 

Flash mob in a Dubai Airport, it went viral

The history behind it was very interesting as well. 

Bill Wasik

According to the actual 'Flash Mob' website, it started back in 2003 in a New York suburb of Manhattan. 

It was created by Bill Wasik (left). He wanted to try something new to 'poke fun at hippies and highlight [the] cultural atmosphere' and be 'the next best thing'.  

A bit more on Bill Wasik, he got his start as an senior editor of Wired magazine (not Weird lol, Wired, I get that mistake a lot) and Harper's magazine. He now works as an editorial director of the New York Times.

He also has his own books.

It includes; 'Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Diabolical Virus' with Monica Murphy in 2012, 'And Then There's This: How Stories Live and Die in Viral Culture' in 2009, and last years 'Our Kindred Creatures' again with Monica Murphy. 

That's a bit of a summary regarding Bill Wasik. 

When he first started this, it was unsuccessful.

On June 2003, in a Macy's store in Manhattan, his 'flash mob' made into existence. 

According to the website, the participants were instructed to be in four different Manhattan bars to follow instructions before it began. 

Here is how he did it (from the website):

"More than 130 people converged upon the ninth floor rug department of the store, gathering around an expensive rug. 

Flash Mobs 

Anyone approached by a sales assistant was advised to say that the gatherers lived together in a warehouse on the outskirts of New York, that they were shopping for a "love rug", and that they made all their purchase decisions as a group. 

Subsequently, 200 people flooded the lobby and mezzanine of the Hyatt hotel in synchronized applause for about 15 seconds, and a shoe boutique in SoHo was invaded by participants pretending to be tourists on a bus trip." - from the 'Flash Mob Website.

Unfortunately, there is no video that was released from this, however, if you have videos or photos of this, feel free to share them in the comments below. 

I'm hoping Flash Mobs make a come back. It meant a lot to the community, and it spread kindness along the way, while helping a community grabble through hard times. 

Here is the website to learn more about Flash Mobs: http://myweb.astate.edu/mford/3463/Xie/history.html