Smart mob

Smart mob is a concept introduced by Howard Rheingold in his book Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution.

The smart mob is a new form of social coordination made possible by the usage of modern technology, in particular the Internet and wireless devices (e.g. mobile phones, PDAs). A "smart mob" is a group that, contrary to the usual connotations of "mob", behaves intelligently or efficiently because of its exponentially-increasing network links. Parallels are made to, for instance, slime moulds.

According to the author, examples of smart mobs are the street protests organized by the Anti-globalization movement.

Another example is text messages sent in the Philippines that are thought to be partly responsible for the demonstration that ousted former President Joseph Estrada. Examples of such a text message read "Wear black to mourn the death of democracy", "Expect there to be rumbles" and "Go to ESDA". See "The Pager Revolution (http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/2001/0129/cover1.html)", an article in TIME magazine.

See also

• Collaborative software
• Collective intelligence
• E-democracy
• Flash mob
• Internet democracy
• Recommendation system
• Virtual community

External links

• Howard Rheingold site (http://www.smartmobs.com/index.html)

ja:スマートモブ pl:Bystry tłum

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