Rheingold "Smart Mobs" Summary

Rheingold's "Smart Mobs" Summary In 2001, Filipinos from Manila (capital of Philippines) gathered together at "Edsa"(Epifanio de los Santos Ave) in order for demonstrate against President Estrada. They wanted him to fall from his reign. In one hour of texting, thousands of people showed up at the site. Millions of people texted each other about protesting and were told to wear black at the site. Within four days, over a million wearing black rallied at "EDSA". (pg 90). This was the first recorded smart mob event. Rheingold elaborates on how Filipinos use text messaging in every day life. Millions of people use cell phones in the Philippines for texting. This is because the price of text messaging is much cheaper than the price of internet service and cell phone minutes. He explains that text messaging has been incorporated into people's daily routines. They use texting for passing chain letters, informational purposes, entertainment etc.

Rheingold explains that protesting has been revolutionized through the use of text messaging.Rheingold explains that a smart mob is a revolutionary way of gathering masses of people with a common cause through the use of technology.

He lists a few other incidents of smart mobs.

· Battle of Seattle in November 30, 1999.

· Britain in September of 2000, people protested against the increase of gas prices. They and did this through cell phones, text messaging, emails and radios found in taxis, etc.

· San Francisco in 1992 "Critical Mass". This was a violent protest that was recorded and posted on the internet.

John Arquila and David Ron use a term know as "Netwar" in order to describe social networking in technology. Net war explains the paradox between good and evil purposes that networking can be used for. They believe that the fastest growing and latest way of reaching masses of people is through networking . The Negative aspect of Netwar involves people using networking for criminal intentions and terrorism. The positive aspect of Netwar involves people using networking in order to access information and gather groups of nonviolent protesting etc.

Longevity and P2P Journalism Experiments have been conducted to document the progress inventions that may revolutionize technology. For example:

· Interpersonal devices in the form of key chains are known as Lovegety key chains. These analyze profiles of people area and signal a user when a compatible profile of an opposite sex is found.

There is also one known as "Gaydar" for members of the same sex. · ImaHIma tells people when their friends are around. This is in Tokyo.

· Upoc is found in Manhattan. Its a a form of networking in which users of the same interest can join groups via internet, cell phone group, email etc.
It updates on latest news and information concerning their location and interests an connects its users together. There are public and private groups. Private groups are joined through invitation only.

Mobile Ad Hoc Social Networks These refer to the reform of people through communication, technology, environment and popularity. Mobile refers to the use of cell phones and text messaging. Ad hoc refers to people joining together informally. Social Network refers to "Nodes and Links". A single person is looked upon as a node. A network is set up through a system of links.