Flash Mobs

Saying, hearing or reading the words "Flash Mob" used to conjure up a positive image - of Topekans communicating by a social network to later, as planned, converge on one place and make a positive statement. Like the recent "Think Big, Topeka" event. Now saying it conjures up a negative image - a ruthless and dangerous "flash mob" subgroup, effecting fear and violations on law-abiding citizens, as on the Country Club Plaza two weeks ago in KCMO.

Yes, I realize it was only the conduct - or misconduct - of a few that caused the problems and the negative headlines in the KC paper. It was not a racial or gender issue - it was just plain inhospitable trespasses wreaked on some innocent bystanders, by other human beings.

There's a summit meeting to sort it all out. To determibe why those who did what they did, did what they did, and if the root cause or problem can be identified, and the symptoms are treatable, how to do so. Tough charge to address, as such human indiscretions are not normal behavior. To say or do otherwise right now, without knowing all the underlying social facts, is only to cause unnecessary and misapplied speculation and finger pointing. Don't make assumptions.

The Topeka experiment proves that "flash mobs" can be effective in a positive social application.

You can't blame the social network in the Plaza situation, as it was purely a means to an end, a means to communicate. Guns don't kill people, people kill people, right? You can't blame any one ethnic group, or any one age group. You can't blame the whole group for the faults of a few. The assault and battery inflicted by a group of ten does not speak to the fact that groups of hundreds were merely walking around and enjoying the networking interaction. We do, as you know, have the right to assemble. Don't be hasty to paint the entire 800+ mob with a broad-based brush.

The spark of one misinterpreted action or spoken word could have set off a mob mentality. Most times when you get 800+ "youth" (or any age group, or generational subgroup, for that matter) in one specific area, with no defined plan of action, it only takes the loud voice and exaggerated leadership of a few to effect the spontaneous actions of the majority of the group, or flash mob as they are calling these "happenings" in 2010.

Our own political history, and recent political upheavals overseas, show how mob actions can get out of hand, with otherwise "normal" people getting caught up in the explosive actions and atmosphere of abnormal activities. Revolutions have started under similar circumstances. The results can be either good or bad.

I hope the KCMO city fathers are able to control the future and offer safer and humane alternatives to the riotous actions that their flash mob situation morphed into, and keep the "negative image" of this incident from spreading to other locations. There has to be a simple solution, that parents, law enforcement, schools, social activists, and the "youth" themselves (I sure hope they are including youth representatives in the solution process!) can work out to the mutual satisfaction of all parties involved in the process. It should be partnering amongst all affected parties. To preclude the involvement of any one group would not be effective partnering.

In the interim, I will give some extra consideration and thought to the next "flash mob" notification I might have tweeted to me. I'm too old and weak to put up with that kind of behavior and inconsiderate attitude. I'd rather be by myself than interact under the rules of the flash mob scenario in the Plaza experience. Life's too short, man!