December 18, 2005

How text messages can create a crowd

It is the modern medium of choice. From Seattle to Paris to Cronulla, flashmobbing - the use of text messages to create an instant crowd - is fuelling civic unrest and racial disharmony. The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"SMS technology allows hundreds, even thousands, of mobile phone users to converge on a nominated place.

... Australia's ultra-nationalist and white supremacist groups believe text messages and email allow them to keep their activities more secret and to mobilise members at short notice.

Luke Connors, a spokesman for the extremist Patriotic Youth League, said texting was a more secure method of communication than internet forums, which were accessible to authorities and outsiders."

emily | 2:42 PM | SMS and Politics | Add this this entry to your del.icio.us bookmarks. Digg This Technorati search results for this Entry
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