Manhattan Flash Mob Photos
June 17th, 2003
Here’s photographic evidence of the flash mob’s successful takeover of the Manhattan Macy’s fancy-rug department, courtesy of moistandtasty.com (above). Visit that site, as well as Satan’s Laundromat, for more photos.
New Yorkers used e-mail to coordinate a huge, instant gathering of people around a particular rug. Participants were instructed to tell questioning salesmen that they all lived together in a warehouse in Queens, and they were considering purchasing the item for use as a “Love Rug” back at the house. After precisely ten minutes the crowd dissipated.
UPDATE: This week’s edition of National Public Radio’s All Things Considered included a segment about the flash mob. (Thanks to Mike from Satan’s Laundromat for yet another tip.)
UPDATE: Here’s a look back at the event from Wired News. (Thanks for the tip, Mike.)
UPDATE: Here’s another money shot of the salesman, from ephemeroi.com.
Do you have photos from the event? How about video or audio? Please link to your coverage in the comments below.
(For background information, see the first flash mob post.)
I’m looking at this in London, listening to the radio piece and looking at the pictures at the same time.
It is just great! I don’t know what it is about it, but fuck me, it’s funny and moving.
Well done!
d
LOL this is classic! If I’m able to, I’ll be in for the next one. Yup, I live in NYC (Brooklyn).
It would’ve been sweet to do this everywhere as a protest against the war. Duly noted for my oh-so-20th century activitst pals.
This is a wonderful social experiment. The city may have to rethink its crowd control methods as ten minute protests with proper media coverage could be even more effective than hours of sign waving. I hope it doesn’t become commercial and burn out too quickly. Kudos for making us think differently.
*m*u*s*t*e*m*a*i*l*e*v*e*r*y*o*n*e*i*k*n*o*w
found the link via Metafilter http://www.metafilter.com/mefi/26469
London c’mon fellas I’ve just left but I know you can do it…….
ALL HAIL ERIS
This is not political.
ALL HAIL DISCORDIA
This does not have a point.
ALL HAIL HAIL
“This” is “not” a “social” “experiment”.
HAIL YES!
move to the country….and visit the website.
Looks like we may try and organize this in STL, MO. I was thinking these could be protests against protesters of the war.
I’m fucking inspired now!
“Looks like we may try and organize this in STL, MO. I was thinking these could be protests against protesters of the war.”
hahaha sweet fun fun
Last night was my very first “mob” event. It was so much fun. I couldn’t believe all the people that came out for it. I just received the email yesterday from a co-worker. Can’t wait for the next one.
RE: “Looks like we may try and organize this in STL, MO. I was thinking these could be protests against protesters of the war.”
Why would the war profiteers bother with grassroots communication tactics when they already have the solid support and sponsorship of the biggest media monopolies?
“this rug doesn’t say LOVE to me”
Brilliant, and profound. Or, profound, and brilliant. I know it is one of those. -C
“This is a wonderful social experiment. The city may have to rethink its crowd control methods as ten minute protests with proper media coverage could be even more effective than hours of sign waving..”
err.. protest? experiment? damn, if there was any point to it at all I thought it would just be for the sake of giving people a sanity/humor check. Attach something like this to a cause and suddenly it loses its appeal. Live for the moment! Who needs a reason?
Yessir demonsurfer, you got it.
Sounds like fun. The salesman picture is hilarious. Sign me up for the next one. or forward me the email.
So that’s what people with nothing better to do look like.
Brilliant! Shades of the Discordians…
Manchester UK needs something like this.
my pics from the event : which are terrible, but i have a good shot of the bewildered salesmen
fo’ sure fun times…
can’t wait for the next mob event.
Wired News article: http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,59297,00.html
They used my photos (without permission).
absolutely brilliant, guys. one of the coolest things i’ve read about in a while.
thinking about starting the cologne, germany chapter of this.
mob on!
this looks amazing. i’d love to be included in the next mob. how do i get on the list?
øWhy people need to lose their individuality and feel part of a herd so imperiously? Maybe a escape from freedom.
What appeals to me about the flash mob is the lack of manuverability for failure. Santargeddon was a bust here in Toronto last year. Flash mobs are not limited to season. Well done.
Brilliant… but far too many mesh-backed trucker hats in attendance.
There will likely be a mob story on NPR’s All Things Considered tonight (Friday). Stay tuned.
The Mob hits Italy’s largest newspaper: link
The author quotes Zeronumber’s comment on the original mob post on Cheesebikini?.
there is an article on flash mobs in a dutch newspaper, you can find the onlineversion of it on
http://www.volkskrant.nl
but it’s in dutch so i gues you have a problem reading it
OK OK OK you have me hooked already!! I have been waiting for this!! Finally something that I can get into and start! I want to start this in Sydney, Australia….. can someone please send me a copy of the email??? I want it started here…. so damn funny!!! Surly someone can help!
Mob on people!!
Hey guys and girls!
Nice idea, zhis “meetings”! This could going to be a big thing. its worldwide and people JUST LOVE IT! like me! iÂ¥m from vienna, and i hope to see sonn a fm here in my city. that`ll be great!!
KEEP GOIN`!
GREETINGFROM EUROPE-AUSTRIA-VIEEEEENNA!!!!!!
I wish we could do this in Columbus, Ohio!!!
I wish we could do this in Columbus, Ohio!!! This place tends to be so …. picayune.
😉 Warsaw is ready:)
Great, this is great stuff indeed, i already have an idea for a flash mob in the UK just to see if something like this can get started aside from what they are doing in London.
If anybody wants to email me to get something organised, we only need a few emails. Looking for people in the lancashire county.
my email is crackedbutter2000atyahoo.co.uk
A Columbus, Ohio mob would be SWEET!