Violent Flash Mobs organized through social media

ginru

Quote by drankin

Yep, except that there just aren't many gun owners in London proper.

Quote by mheslep

Mob violence is the fundamental issue here and hence nothing new; the technology component incidental it seems to me. Thus the solution is also traditional.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/video-emb...=1029359724001

That's unfortunate but, when the situation escalates beyond the control of traditional police power, required. Its a simple choice. Either choose uncontrolled mob violence which if unchecked will escalate or choose police controlled violence.

An absent police response, the violence in London should be met with some of the same self defense used in the '92 LA riots.

Even without firepower, perhaps society just needs more of the elders' sense of community and courage:

Fewer thieves would risk it if they expected the local passerby to be as brave and determined as this old lady to stop them.

rhody

This is interesting on many levels, if the violence continues to escalate, and flash mob behavior continues to spread from distressed region/country to distressed region/country for whatever reason, there will be a triggering event that will cause the communications industry in cooperation with state and federal governments to action. When they finally have had enough, they will "pull the plug" on cell phone and internet service, at least for the short term until the flash mob behavior is brought under control. Once down this track, we are on a very slippery slope. I liken removing the ability to communicate as removing the mobsters carrying gas cans to a bonfire.

Who knows, maybe HAM radio operators will have a new place in society in the near future to provide emergency communication services in the event something like this happens. I listened to a talk radio host talk about how we are in a pre-revolutionary period today. I was shocked and taken aback by the comments, but seeing these events play themselves out, am beginning to wonder myself. This talk show host is not a far left or far right loon and comments honestly as he sees things. He is good at predicting the future and is usually weeks to months ahead of others in predicting political actions in our state. That is why I continue to listen.

Rhody...

drankin

Quote by ginru

Even without firepower, perhaps society just needs more of the elders' sense of community and courage:

Fewer thieves would risk it if they expected the local passerby to be as brave and determined as this old lady to stop them.

I agree! I love seeing an old lady beating away rioters! LOL

CAC1001

Quote by rhody

This is interesting on many levels, if the violence continues to escalate, and flash mob behavior continues to spread from distressed region/country to distressed region/country for whatever reason, there will be a triggering event that will cause the communications industry in cooperation with state and federal governments to action. When they finally have had enough, they will "pull the plug" on cell phone and internet service, at least for the short term until the flash mob behavior is brought under control. Once down this track, we are on a very slippery slope. I liken removing the ability to communicate as removing the mobsters carrying gas cans to a bonfire.

I highly doubt they would pull cellphone and Internet service all over flash mobs, would have to be some major flash mobs occurring, and even then, it is questionable. Plus you'd completely hamstring businesses and the overall economy by doing such a thing, and it would make people crazy, as they are too used to the Internet now.

Evo

I think it's clever that undercover cops have started getting themselves "friended" and been able to stop riots from happening thanks to them getting the "tweet".

rhody

Quote by Evo

I think it's clever that undercover cops have started getting themselves "friended" and been able to stop riots from happening thanks to them getting the "tweet".

Yeah, that is clever Evo. The news is reporting that a lot of flash organizing behavior is done using Blackberry's. They texts apparently can't be traced.

Rhody...

P.S. This is an interesting aside. A young lady was caring for someone away from home and in a city/residence she was not familiar with. There was a medical emergency, no land line available, and her cell call to emergency services was frustrated because she could not give an exact address. Had they had a land phone line, the EMT's would have shown the address immediately. Something to think about, although an unusual case.

Astronuc

Quote by Evo

I think it's clever that undercover cops have started getting themselves "friended" and been able to stop riots from happening thanks to them getting the "tweet".

I would imagine that hot jobs in the near term are private eye, security guard, and bounty hunter - and using the internet and social media to catch miscreants and n'er-do-well folk.

FeDeX_LaTeX

Logged on to my friend's Facebook account (he gave me the password to look at 'statuses'); here are some of the messages people posted (the bad-looking ones).

"so bored. mite go for some looting tomoz lol"
"why dont the rioters set schools on fire????????"
"Camden's so quiet it's wierd. gonna go down there tomorrow, see if I can steal some stuff xD"
"I Need Some New Crep, Lets Break Into Footlocker"
"is it kicking off in holloway ??? Where is it kicking off??? someone organise something"
"I need to get to these Riots."
"Getting Livly In Camden..looks fun LOL"
"Thinkin of merkin greggs..whos got a motive for me and my dawgyss"
"i would love to **** up some police."
"Ok is their rioting in Camden? anyone going?"
"whos on protest tomorrow ?"
"MANDEM COME KENTISH. LIIIVE."
"the riot's at Camden yh?"

Just a sample of some of what people have posted...

drankin

Quote by FeDeX_LaTeX

Logged on to my friend's Facebook account (he gave me the password to look at 'statuses'); here are some of the messages people posted (the bad-looking ones).

"so bored. mite go for some looting tomoz lol"
"why dont the rioters set schools on fire????????"
"Camden's so quiet it's wierd. gonna go down there tomorrow, see if I can steal some stuff xD"
"I Need Some New Crep, Lets Break Into Footlocker"
"is it kicking off in holloway ??? Where is it kicking off??? someone organise something"
"I need to get to these Riots."
"Getting Livly In Camden..looks fun LOL"
"Thinkin of merkin greggs..whos got a motive for me and my dawgyss"
"i would love to **** up some police."
"Ok is their rioting in Camden? anyone going?"
"whos on protest tomorrow ?"
"MANDEM COME KENTISH. LIIIVE."
"the riot's at Camden yh?"

Just a sample of some of what people have posted...

Wow, like it's a local carnival. "so bored. mite go for some looting tomoz lol".

FeDeX_LaTeX

That being said the majority of the people posting statuses are against looting, I just put these together to give people a sample of what some of the 'organisation' looks like. Not to be mis-interpreted as a majority

rhody

Quote by FeDeX_LaTeX

That being said the majority of the people posting statuses are against looting, I just put these together to give people a sample of what some of the 'organisation' looks like. Not to be mis-interpreted as a majority

Fedex,

Do these people have enough brain cells to realize that law enforcement can use them to connect the dots ? Sometimes a big lie to look bad a.. could come back to bite them in a big way.

Rhody...

*skippy1729*

I can hardly wait until some of our less civilized political movements latch onto this behavior.

I keep hoping that a definitive causal link can be found between wireless traffic and Colony Collapse Disorder. The world would be a better place without cell phones. I know I must sound like a knuckle dragging reactionary but I was there, BCP (before cell phones), and it was a better place.

Skippy

FeDeX_LaTeX

Some of the people who said these things I thought knew better than to join in the chaos; a bit shocked that some of my 'friends' are choosing to contribute to the injuring of policemen, burning of shops, and mugging of people.

drankin

Quote by FeDeX_LaTeX

Some of the people who said these things I thought knew better than to join in the chaos; a bit shocked that some of my 'friends' are choosing to contribute to the injuring of policemen, burning of shops, and mugging of people.

Might have to take a second look at who your 'friends' are my friend.

*WhoWee*

Quote by rhody

This is interesting on many levels, if the violence continues to escalate, and flash mob behavior continues to spread from distressed region/country to distressed region/country for whatever reason, there will be a triggering event that will cause the communications industry in cooperation with state and federal governments to action. When they finally have had enough, they will "pull the plug" on cell phone and internet service, at least for the short term until the flash mob behavior is brought under control. Once down this track, we are on a very slippery slope. I liken removing the ability to communicate as removing the mobsters carrying gas cans to a bonfire.

The police could always send a message of their own - maybe tell everyone to meet at a large parking lot > where they'll all be arrested.

rhody

Quote by WhoWee

The police could always send a message of their own - maybe tell everyone to meet at a large parking lot > where they'll all be arrested.

Hehe, or better yet, flash all the trouble makers cell's so they no longer can communicate with a warning to knock it off or go to jail and face hefty fines before the phones go dead. That would get their attention for sure.

Rhody...

*WhoWee*

Does anyone know if cell phone privileges can be stripped (for a set time or indefinitely) the way a land line can - if too many abusive calls are documented?

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Evo Mentor Blog Entries: 4	I think it's clever that undercover cops have started getting themselves "friended" and been able to stop riots from happening thanks to them getting the "tweet".

FeDeX_LaTeX	That being said the majority of the people posting statuses are against looting, I just put these together to give people a sample of what some of the 'organisation' looks like. Not to be mis-interpreted as a majority

skippy1729	I can hardly wait until some of our less civilized political movements latch onto this behavior. I keep hoping that a definitive causal link can be found between wireless traffic and Colony Collapse Disorder. The world would be a better place without cell phones. I know I must sound like a knuckle dragging reactionary but I was there, BCP (before cell phones), and it was a better place. Skippy

WhoWee	Does anyone know if cell phone privileges can be stripped (for a set time or indefinitely) the way a land line can - if too many abusive calls are documented?