Public hacking

If one person stands in a square and raises his hand no one really gives a toss. If 140 people stand in a square and raise their hands people stop. People get worried, "what am I missing?", "why?, "should I raise my hand?". This was the topic of the day on Friday - crowd dynamics, people hacking, behaviour subvertion - these are the best terms I can come up with. The idea is that you take a large group of people (140), set them simple activities (as a group) in public environments and see how you can change the social enviroment, put people on edge, change their behaviour and outright screw with their heads. Good fun - and a novel tool for your subversive political type who wants to create a bit of trouble.

The previous day the 140 of us were divided into 9 groups and given a part of Malmö city each. Each group was to choreograph an activity that the full group would do on Friday. The whole group would move from each activity to the next for approximatly 10 minutes each.



My group were the first off the rank and we started from the university. Everyone was to form 2 lines and walk to the wooden bridge near by... Notice the sexy beast 3 people back in the right hand line.



As we approached the bridge the first couple formed an arch and the following couple went under to form an other arch and so on...



As the last couple walked through we completed a line of people accross the bridge to form a tunnel. The bridge is the only way accross to the university from this direction so the public would have to through the tunnel or try to get around. The plan was to hold the tunnel for a minute or so and see what happens. We did get a few brave soles but the rest stood around shaking their heads muttering that this sort of thing never used to happen in Malmö. '

Put 140 people in one continous line, make each person put their hands on the shoulders of the following person and march them 150 metres throught the city - see how much traffic you piss off. This was the next activity - it's difficult to get a completely perfect march but for about 20 second we did and it had a kind of beauty. All 280 feet tramping the ground at the same time. At rap-up at the end of the day we noticed people distinictly taking absolutaly no notice at all - almost blocking out the huge line behind them. But it definently attracted an audience. (no pics unfortuantly)



Stand in one long row, make a paper airoplane and throw on command. Simple but seeing all the planes take off at the same time was neat.



Into the city square now. We're doing the tunnel thing again but this time we're continuosly moving it along by making the last couple run through to re-form at the front. Neat idea and it moves pretty quick.



Make 4 rows of people and have them march in time down the main street of Malmö. Does it remind you of anything? Bring back any old memories for the older members of the crowd. The icing on the cake for this was the leader of this activity shouting out 1,2,3,4 in german. In the rap-up we discussed this one and the activity leader said it was ok for him as he possesed an "ethnic alabi" - aisan descent swedish. Twas pretty funny. The backdrop to all this is that the elections were being held that weekend and a very nationalistic party was gaining more power. Ever wanted to truly panic a crowd? - take your 140 people and tell them to sprint down the street for about 70 metres. People go nuts, wide eyed looking everywhere. Watching a crowd come rolling over you must be some experience.

Walk forth my christain soliders. For something a little more relaxing give each person a balloon, blow it up and walk through the city in two lines. Silent protest against what? Finishing with a circle around a large fountain where we slowly let the air out creating a huge fart. London Tate - eat your heart out.

Mobile symphony. Make three lines and select your favourite ring tone on you're mobile. Hold it high and let that 80's classic ring load and clear.

Now to chill. Everyone take a newspaper, sit down on the grass and, on command, sleep with the paper over your head.

Form 9 lines and hold the sholders of the person infront. Now run like lunatics through the city - be a snake. Pensioners and small dogs be dammed!

The last activity was a fitting end to the day and, I think, was the most effective crowd manipulator. The entire group was to walk back to the uni saying "hey hey" (hi) to anyone we passed and smile and wave. When a 140 people smile and wave at you - you have to reply.