Munich Flash Mob

MUNICH MOB #1

Rules of Flash Mob
============

1. Follow the Mob rules and instructions to the letter.
2. Forward these instructions to anyone on your email list; tell anybody you like.
3. Don't squeal to the police.
4. Do not gather before the appointed time.
5. Disperse means get out of the area; do not loiter.
6. Do no damage; leave what you find.
7. Don't ask questions; either follow the instructions or don't go.
8. NO PICTURES WHATSOEVER.

Instructions
========

Date: Friday August 1st.
Place: Marienplatz, Munich.
Time: Arrive in Marienplatz at 19:21 precisely.
Dress: All black outfits and one black umbrella per person are MANDATORY.

Pre Mob Formation
----------------------
Browse the shops independently. Do not draw attention to yourself.

Mob Formation
-----------------
1. At 19:26 form a mob around the golden statue in the centre of Marienplatz.
2. At 19:29 open your umbrella.
3. For one minute stare at the golden statue.
4. For two further minutes walk around the statue in a clockwise circle.
5. At 19:32 exactly close your umbrella and stand still.
6. At 19:33 APPLAUD LOUDLY.
7. At 19:34 precisely DISPERSE COMPLETELY and continue with your daily life.

Questions & Answers
-----------------------
If you are asked what you are doing say "I'm taking in the sights of Munich".
If you are asked about the umbrella, say "I think it may rain any minute".
If you are asked about Flash Mob, say "I'm here to see the statue".
If you are asked about your outfit say "Black is the new black".
If you are asked about who organised the mob say "I'm here alone".
If you are asked about the point of the mob say "Life is a journey, this is a stop".

Contact with the Press
==============

Questions from the press should be answered as above.

Future Mobs
========

Subscribe to munichflashmob at Yahoo Groups for email updates on future Munich mobs.

--

Munich Flash Mob
munichflashmob@yahoo.com
groups.yahoo.com/group/munichflashmob

I will only participate if Aquatic agrees to be the only person to dress all in white and wear Spud's new cowboy hat

I still don't get what is that mob thing about? Got it via mail two, found the same text on a couple of web pages...

Enya - see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3065685.stm

Seems to me like someone couldn't be bothered to think up anything original themself. Borrrring.

Meeting of minds, flash crowed or performing art? Boring… will not work in Munich, for sure

Perhaps my previous post was a little... err... blunt. I actually think the motivation is not bad (assuming the motivation is to make people who see it happen go "Huh? WTF?!"), but the actual event has been done. Many times. I just wish people would use their imagination. They've also given no thought as to what might happen if it is raining - so what if a bunch of people put up their umbrellas?

Turning the tables on the Mob, now that would be funny.

Sorry, just felt this smiley was appropriate...

What you mean like putting a group of morris dancers in the middle of the black parade?



now wheres my bells...

poots!

What Noddy, you didn't get the secret email that says at exactly 19:30 show up with the water cannons and point 'em at the back in black crowd?

I thought it was an intriguing idea anyway, but not enough payoff. No pix, no talking, no publicity, no after-beer stuff; where's the camraderie or infamy?

I'd rather see/attend like a semi-organized local version of the Burning Man or something. Fills all the performance-art-weird-hippy-trip-hop-explosions-drugs-nudists-philosophy-mantra-techno-guns-fire-youth-body-cultureworship-freaks-rave-community needs. Switzerland has Burning the Böög, why not start a Burning the Bavarian fest?

Hmm..
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic for heading out to the desert to hang with the freaks in 40 degree weather

Well, I was thinking something like turning up with a rope in a rucksack and then whipping it out (ooer) when they stand around the statue, and with the aid of a partner or two tieing them all up together. Burning them is going a bit far, even for me. Where we would get 50 metres of rope is beyond me. Unless you count the climbing rope we happen to have in the rucksack over there...

A mob scene just made for being there

"The Internet has spawned a gaggle of new verbs -- Googling, surfing and flaming are words most of us are used to hearing in everyday conversation. Now you can add "flash mobbing" to that list. In recent weeks, New Yorkers have been using forwarded e-mails to coordinate "flash mobs," or not-so-random crowds that appear and dissipate within a matter of minutes. Is it performance art? The cutting edge of a new social movement? Or just an easy way to flummox carpet salesmen?"

AM: No, its just a load of sad geeky ba*tards. All with mobile phones strapped to their waists in leather pouches and leathermans on the other side. You can't help them - they're lost to humanity.

Right, that's that then. *yawn*

Editor Bob, can you remove this thread from "Latest Toytown News"? Its beginning to annoy me when I see it every day on the home page... we may all be a little weird, but I have yet to meet a geek here.

Hang on,

If theere are Toytowners on here who want to run around being what you call "a geek?" why shouldn't they do that?

dictionary.com has the following geek definition:

geeky adj.
Our Living Language Our word geek is now chiefly associated with student and computer slang; one probably thinks first of a computer geek. In origin, however, it is one of the words American English borrowed from the vocabulary of the circus, which was a much more significant source of entertainment in the United States in the 19th and early 20th century than it is now. Large numbers of traveling circuses left a cultural legacy in various and sometimes unexpected ways. For example, Superman and other comic book superheroes owe much of their look to circus acrobats, who were similarly costumed in capes and tights. The circus sideshow is the source of the word geek, “a performer who engaged in bizarre acts, such as biting the head off a live chicken.� We also owe the word ballyhoo to the circus; its ultimate origin is unknown, but in the late 1800s it referred to a flamboyant free musical performance conducted outside a circus with the goal of luring customers to buy tickets to the inside shows. Other words and expressions with circus origins include bandwagon (coined by P.T. Barnum in 1855) and Siamese twin.

I actually think around here for the first time would be funny, and to see the faces of the Bavarians when it happens would be funnier. As long as they kept orginiality it could keep being funny. Theres enough stuff on the front page of Abendzeitung or tz, why not have some mroe funny pics?

If you think its sad or geeky dont go. If I didnt like alcohol I would not go to the beer gardens (and probably wouldnt have moved to munich)

And the rebel in me says why not? Why not wander around and suddenly perform a thigh slapping, clapping, jumping up and down dance in the middle of the street for no apparant reason?

People do it in the UK at village fairs every year, why not here?

Pootle

Jeez Pootle, I'm just sick of German geeks, there are like 2 million more of them than anywhere else in the world. Every male here has a photolab in his basement and a collection of lenses that even a professional would be embarrassed to have.

And I lurrrve to generalize.

And I like Morris Dancing!! Its traditional and hilarious. I even got up and waved a few napkins around at a british folk gig in Bonn about a year ago. Was VERY good fun to see the faces. I do NOT mind looking a fool in front of others.

It is of course ok to be a geek. But as you say, it is a free world, and I am also entitled to hate geeks. Or love geeks. Depending on my mood.

I think you should look up at the corners of some of the older buildings in Munich, guys. There you will see figures dressed in pointy shows, wearing bells, and dancing. I forget the name of them, but they are apparently meant to be Moors. Moorish... Morris... hmm...

Just to combine the two themes of geeks and morris dancing, I thought I would productively spend some office time looking into the origin of the Morris, thus being a total geek.

Yes, some believe that the word comes from "Moorish", and was nicked off the Arabs during the crusades; sometimes Morris dancers even blacken their faces.
Could also be related to the word "Morisco", which is a form of Italian dance. "moris" in Latin is a tradition or custom apparently, or perhpas from the game "morelles" which is a bit like hop-scotch.

The best theory I could find was that Morris dancing comes from some sort of posturing performed by Englanders along the England/Wales border, involving loads of stick whacking and yelling, designed to demonstrate to the Welsh what would happen to them if they crossed the border. Morris moved North as Hadrians wall started to collapse, and the threat of Kilt wearing scots coming into merry England increased.

Yep, I feel like a right geek now.

Now, I think I got the idea of what is that flash-mob gathering all about. A new social movement, very intriguing idea indeed! I think will be there myself, (not to take part, although). Wonder what and if the local newspapers will report next day?

Heh, will there be organized press kits and preferred press viewing areas for the spontaneous 10 minute 'flash' mob?

Well Enya, if everyone has the same idea, the Flash Mob will consist of a bunch of people hanging around Marienplatz, looking around for another bunch of people dressed in black with umbrellas (who, of course, never show up).

Showen
do you recon they won’t show up?

The plan has changed and is under tight wraps so I wouldn't go sit at Marienplatz thinking you are going to get a ring side seat. Only people who have joined will be given e-mail instructions at the last minute directing them where to go and when.

I'm just complaining so that none of you go and I have all the fun to myself.

Selfish geeky 'ol b*stard me.

Randy's right. I suspect it's going to be more of a "Press Mob" than a Flash Mob. Might be an idea to get down there with some Toytown banners - if any of you can be bothered. I would make some myself. But today I'm too busy to fart.

Yes yes. I know pictures are against the rules. But rules are made to be broken, right?

...the flock gathers, the flock goes BING...

...and BONG, and the flock disperses...

...and the TV crews are left wondering why no-one will talk to them.

- if you're wondering what this is all about, see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/munichflashmob/

Thing is, there are normally more tourists at the Marienplatz than the number Mobsters is see in these pictures. The tourists already run around like sheep, pointing and waving - so what's the difference?

There's that sad guy again with the brown singlet that we saw at Ned Kelly's doing his gay walk to the camera crew.

Were you there??? It was certainly a lot different than the normal tourist crowd. Japenese tourists don't turn in a circle for three minutes saying bing bing bing... anyway, it's just supposed to be silly and fun. And it's not your or my place to decide what that is for people. I think it's refreshing to have something silly to do on a Friday, other than drinking at Kilian's. Which is ever so much more unique, right?

Oh yeah, and please note that the last line of that post was loaded with SARCASM. I'm gonna go ahead and define that for everyone, to avoid people getting offended and going off on yet another rant about how unfriendly the board is.

Otherwise, I'll have to get offended that you are offended at my offense.

I find it rather offensive that you would be offended at people being offended by your offense! I don't think we need to cater to the lowest common denominator, just because one of two of the newer posters are having trouble recognising our joking remarks for what they are. If one or two posters get upset and leave because they cannot understand our humour, then good riddance to them.

Hope you made lots of new friends Stubble. I know I did! I met an old soak who yelled abuse at me over Margaret Thatcher and The Falkland Islands. He later sobered up enough to pour his drink down the back of the radiator... Great pub that wasn't (ever)! Cheap beer, mind.

All in all - a great night out! Those that were there know it was actually a hoot... see the piccies on the other thread.

There was a spread about this mob in the SDZ on Saturday.

Here's the online version of one of the articles:
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sz/muenchen/red...ed-artikel2958/

For those of you who don't read German, here's the (rather amusing) Google translation:

The Flash mobilization sloshes to Munich: Two hundred humans meet to a strange action before the city hall (by Klaus Raab)

The important secret instructions read thus first concretely then times as follows that one atomic clock-exactly between 18.47 and 19.16 o'clock under the second nonsmoker sign of the McDonald's branch in the valley closer, still more important and secret instructions receive. There, atomic clock-punctually, a strict young gentleman with black sun glasses stands. In its hand: small white notes. On the notes: the accurate instructions for the "bell play tourist Spoof". Friday evening, briefly before the federal league start: Munich plays conspiracy. The play is called Flash mobilization. A quantity apparently coincidentally met appears lightning-like. Disappears lightning-like again. And makes between them any Bloedsinn. That is everything. A the goal, if one can speak of a goal: to break open the samples of the everyday life.

To Munich first Flash mobilization meet on Marienplatz 100 to 200 young humans, which 100 to 200 more is than being expected was and interpret o'clock at 19.26, the important secret instructions in accordance with, the bell play at the city hall. They tell all tourists from Japan and the USA, it will directly strike. At 19.30 o'clock puts it a hand on the head, turns in the circle and makes "Bing". At 19.32 o'clock puts it to call the second hand to it and to "Bong". At 19.34 o'clock applaudieren it, is jubilant, hops on and off. At 19.35 o'clock absent-minded itself the quantity suddenly in all directions. "control room not, which instructs next happened", the handbill. "next nothing happens." Back remain verdatterte passanten, amused passanten, helpless policemen and a handful television teams, because plans, which in the InterNet, then evenly nevertheless not, are so secret.

Martin is under the members of the Mobs and one of these hippen residents of Munich, who like that hip are that they would have to actually pull to Berlin. If it is not in the Atomic Café, it is in the InterNet, and one can say that he moves in both areas perfectly. "with rough mischief", Martin says, "always is I thereby". He participates - with which he is however thereby, experiences he only briefly before. Time and place are given, everything else white only, who invents the action. Communication takes place by InterNet. And thus not everyone takes part in and so the feeling of the Subversivitaet remains, can the rules to short protected before beginning of action be changed. The society play conquers the public places. And if the action on Marienplatz also looks, as if it rose from a roof damage: It is of Munich second dadaistische quantity meeting. After the clearly less amusing Blade Night. (the bell play plays daily around 11, 12 and 17 o'clock.)


"strict young gentleman with black sun glasses"? Should that have been "strict young Toytowner with black TT-standard-issue sun glasses" perhaps?

I guess the author of the article wasn't even there... he only got told by his friend's brother or something like that...

Right then,

I think the best Flash Mob idea would be the Tiswas Dying Fly!

All that nazi saluting can't have gone down too well.

I thought also 'ooer sounds a bit rude!'

Hi folks,

The Yahoo! group MunichFlashMob has become The Munich Flash Mob Revolution! Check it out at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheMunichFla...shMobRevolution

The 3rd Munich Flash Mob will be happening in September with at least 100 participants. If you think Flash Mobs are out, don't join. But if you think that Flash Mobs are fuckin' fun, check out the site!

Greets, chuf_nut

Right then,

What's a "Tiswas Dying Fly"? I tried google and it only returned one hit: this page!

OffTopic :

Thats quick spidering by Google!

Now I am scared...

Pootle

+++Munich Flash Mob #3: Wednesday, 3rd September+++

Powered by: The Munich Flash Mob Revolution

_instructions
...

The final instructions will be distributed on small sheets of paper only a few minutes before the Flash Mob. Collect the final instructions here:

_date: Wednesday, 3rd September

_time: Between 18:49 and 19:11 hrs EXACTLY
(www.uhrzeit.org/atomuhr.html)

_place: EITHER: The ejection hole of the
"Passfotos/Visitenkarten" machine opposite to
the SW//M Shop in the Marienplatz basement
(next to the Kaufhof -1 entrance)

OR: Opposite to Palmers, at Rindermarkt 10: Take a
closer look at the SZ newspaper machine...

_dress: Anything

The Flash Mob happens a few minutes after 19:11 and it will last no longer than 10 minutes.

_collection of instructions
...

1. Do NOT wait at the collection place.
2. Find the paper and LEAVE.
3. Do NOT ask questions.
4. Do NOT talk about Flash Mob.
5. Move quickly but discreetly; do not cluster.

_rules of Flash Mob
...

1. Don't come to watch or take photos; TAKE PART OR DON'T GO.
2. Follow the rules and instructions to the letter.
3. Forward these instructions to your friends and relatives.
4. Don't squeal to the press or the police.
5. Don't answer questions from the press.
6. Do not gather before the appointed time.
7. Disperse immediately after.
8. Do no damage; leave what you find.

_questions & answers
...

1. If you are asked what you are doing, say: "I lost my dog..."
2. If you are asked about Flash Mob, say: "I ain't like no mopping!"
3. If you are asked about who organized the Flash Mob, say: "I'm
here alone."
4. If you are asked about the point of the Flash Mob, say: "All you
need is love..."

I'll pop along (a little early) and take some pictures, ask some questions, answer questions, wait at the collection place, all whilst wearing a ribbon around my neck with a set of keys attached to it.

What a joke!!!
Not to sound cynical, but don't you people have anything more interesting to do with your time ... baaah baaah baaah!!!

I think the original organisers of this had the right idea calling it a day after the first 2. The entire flash mobs idea is getting a bit old now - specially when they're done so soon after each other.

Damn, missed it.

sounds like a bit of his here, dont it???

http://www.cacophony.org/

the sewer tour in prom outfits was almost as good as dressing up in Santa outfits in summer and drinking in public, terrorizing the tourists on the cablecars...

C.

Ok then,

so what happened?

munich flash mobs, dead or alive - is the world over this fantastically short lived episode?? even yo-yos lasted longer??

P

There's an interesting interview with the originator of Flash mobs. Nicely candid, although "Bill" foolishly tries to tack on an idealogy / movement / political statement / artistic endeaver to the simple prank after the fact. IMHO, of course.

Like, flash mobs are soooo 2003.

Saw in my inbox that there should be one going on today at Marienplatz or Odeonsplatz at 14:00. Clicky