outline

Improv Everywhere


***** the yellow parts are the ones I have corrected

Topic: My knowledge on and interest in Improv Everywhere (flash mob) and how "my" own flash mob is.

Main idea: Being interested in flash mobs, I learn about Improv Everywhere and other cool information about flash mob. In the end, I decide to organize a flash mob myself.

Introduction - I will ask someone acts out freeze flash mob for about ten seconds for me.
              - Then I will define what a flash mob (Improv Everywhere) is simply.

Topic sentence for paragraph 1: I am interested in this topic because it is fun.

- When I was in the first grade of junior high, I saw a TV program called “American flash mob” on Star World Channel. Besides, I have seen a lot of flash mob videos on the Internet.
- The turning point for me to decide my presentation’s topic is after seeing Taipei 101 flash mob video. I was shocked by the video. I don’t know such a mob can impress so many people. Though it is just a kind of activity, I think there are many interesting things behind the scene. Flash mob isn’t popular in Asia, so it may lead me to a new world by doing this project.
- I am not an out-going person so I would like to try something new or learn to release myself by this topic to overcome this disadvantage.


Topic sentence for paragraph 2: Improv Everywhere is different from flash mobs. And why people will participate in their missions.

(1) The differences between Improv Everywhere are

    a. Improv Everywhere was created about 2 years before the first “flash mob.” Our projects are rarely over in a flash. Many last for hours.
    b. While some of our missions may have certain similarities to a flash mob (large numbers of people engaging in a coordinated activity in a public place), we have never embraced that term. Also, some missions use just a few folks while others might use thousands, depending on what suits the idea.
    c. Improv Everywhere will repeat the same theme again and again. They did these for fun. But most of the flash mobs will have a certain purpose.

(2) The reasons why they take part in it are

a. They think it is fun and new. They would like to try once to see what’s going on. Or maybe they want to see a lot of people doing the same action at the same time with their own eyes.
b. If we look at it in the way of psychology, I find out that maybe they are just under too much pressure so that they want to relax by doing something special.

(3) I will give both flash mobs and Improv Everywhere missions examples

    a. Improv Everywhere- Black tie Beach
                            - Mall Santa Classical
                             - Gotta share! The musical
    b. International Zouk flash mob- 2013

Topic sentence for paragraph 3: I have learned so many things during the whole process.

Personal feelings:
(1) Even a small gesture can make people happy. Not to mention, we can make our life different by doing something special together.
(2) Don’t take everything seriously. It’s not necessary for you to find out significant meanings in everything. We can just do it for fun.

Problems:
(3) Though the action doesn’t break the law, it may catches polices’ eyes. In my opinion, if the action doesn’t break the law, there’s no right or wrong. It’s just because we view things from different perspectives.
(4) Reading so much information and knowing so many flash mob organizations, I think it’s quite scary if they gather to do something bad one day. They may be a social problem.

Conclusion: Learning so many things about flash mob, I would like to hold my own flash mob.

a. If my flash mob works, I will show the pictures and video. Besides, I will talk about my feeling during the whole process.
b. If my flash mob doesn’t work, I will talk about my plans about holding a flash mob or the contact between Zouk and me.

*Here are the details about my flash mob.

1. When: I will hold it at either after our competition or winter vacation.
2. Where: 信義區 (新光三越之間的廣場)
   This place is big enough and it’s convenient for me to record video.
3. What: Freeze flash mob- 9 minutes- 3 minutes- freeze
                                        - 3 minutes- unfreeze
                                        -3 minutes- freeze
4.   How: I will use facebook to spread the news.

                   

Improv Everywhere

Topic: My knowledge on and interest in Improv Everywhere (flash mob) and how "my" own flash mob is.

Main idea: Being interested in flash mobs, I learn about Improv Everywhere and other cool information about flash mob. In the end, I decide to organize a flash mob myself.

Introduction - I will ask someone acts out freeze flash mob for about ten seconds for me.

              - Then I will define what a flash mob (Improv Everywhere) is simply.

Topic sentence for paragraph 1: I am interested in this topic is because no matter which organization I found is far more interesting than I have expected. So I chose this topic.

- When I was in the first grade of junior high, I saw a TV program called “American flash mob” on Star world. Besides, I have seen a lot of flash mobs videos on the Internet.

- The turning point for me to decide my presentation’s topic is after seeing Taipei 101 flash mob video. I was shocked by the video. I don’t know such a mob can impressed so many people. Though it is just a kind of activity, I think there are many interesting things behind the scene. Flash mob isn’t popular in Asian, so it may lead me to a new world by doing this project.

Topic sentence for paragraph 2: Improv Everywhere is different from flash mob. And why people will participate in their missions.

(1) The differences between Improv Everywhere are

    a. Improv Everywhere was created about 2 years before the first “flash mob.” Our projects are rarely over in a flash. Many last for hours.

    b. While some of our missions may have certain similarities to a flash mob (large numbers of people engaging in a coordinated activity in a public place), we have never embraced that term. Also, some missions use just a few folks while others might use thousands, depending on what suits the idea.

    c. Improv Everywhere will repeat the same theme again and again. They did these for fun. But most of the flash mobs will have a certain purpose.

(2) The reasons why they take part in it are

a. They think it is fun and new. They would like to try once to see what’s going on. Or maybe they want to see a lot of people doing the same action at the same time with their own eyes.

b. If we look at it in the way of psychology, I find out that maybe they are just under too much pressure so that they want to relax by doing something special.

(3) I will give both flash mobs and Improv Everywhere missions examples

    a. Improv Everywhere- Black tie Beach

                            - Mall Santa Classical

                             - Conduct us

                             - Gotta share! The musical

    b. International Zouk flash mob- 2013

Topic sentence for paragraph 3: I have learned so many things during the whole process.

(1) We can make our life different by doing something special together. And maybe we will have the same feelings as the strangers.

(2) If the action doesn’t break the law, there’s no right or wrong. It’s just because we view things from different perspectives.

(3) Even a small gesture can make people happy.

(4) Don’t take everything seriously. It’s not necessary for you to find out significant meanings in everything. We can just do it for fun.

(5) Reading so much information and knowing so many flash mob organizations, I think it’s quite scary if they gather to do something bad one day. They may be a social problem.

(6) I think there is a deep relationship between culture and these kinds of activities.

(7) Though the action doesn’t break the law, it may catches polices’ eyes.

(8) I think having a great English skill is very important because most of the websites are in English. Understanding the article can make me know more. It just lead me to a new world.

Conclusion: Learning so many things about flash mob, I would like to hold my own flash mob.

a. If my flash mob works, I will show the pictures and video. Besides, I will talk about my feeling during the whole process.

b. If my flash mob doesn’t work, I will talk about my plans about holding a flash mob or the contact between Zouk and me.

*Here are the details about my flash mob.

1. When: I will hold it at either after our competition or winter vacation.

2. Where: 信義區 (新光三越之間的廣場)

   This place is big enough and it’s convenient for me to record video.

3. What: Freeze flash mob- 9 minutes- 3 minutes- freeze

                                       - 3 minutes- unfreeze

                                       -3 minutes- freeze

          Walking reversely flash mob- 5 minute

4.   How: I will use facebook to spread the news.

                     

Specific outline

Topic: My knowledge on and interest in Improv Everywhere (flash mob) and how "my" own flash mob is.

Main idea: Being interested in flash mobs, I learn about Improv Everywhere and other cool information about flash mob. In the end, I decide to organize a flash mob myself.

Introduction - I will ask someone acts out freeze flash mob for about ten seconds for me.
                     - Then I will define what a flash mob (Improv Everywhere) is simply.

Topic sentence for paragraph 1: I am interested in this topic is because no matter which organization I found is far more interesting than I have expected. So I chose this topic.

- When I was in the first grade of junior high, I saw a TV program called “American flash mob” on        Star world.
- I have seen some videos on the Internet such like Taipei 101 flash mob and cram school flash mob   before. And turning point for me to decide my presentation’s topic is after seeing Taipei 101 flash       mob video.
- When I am searching the information, I found an interesting organization called Improv                   Everywhere, which is a little bit different from flash mob.


Topic sentence for paragraph 2: Improv Everywhere is different from flash mob.

(1) The differences between Improv Everywhere are

    a. Improv Everywhere was created about 2 years before the first “flash mob.”
    b. While some of our missions may have certain similarities to a flash mob (large numbers of               people engaging in a coordinated activity in a public place), we have never embraced that term.
    c. Some missions use just a few folks while others might use thousands, depending on what suits         the idea.
    d. Our projects are rarely over in a flash. Many last for hours.
    e. Most of the Improv Everywhere missions will rehearse. Flash mobs
    f. They will repeat the same theme again and again.
    g. They did these missions for fun. But most of the flash mobs will have a certain purpose.

(2) I will give both flash mobs and Improv Everywhere missions examples

    a. Improv Everywhere- Black tie Beach
                                                  - Mall Santa Classical
                                                  - Conduct us
                                                  - Gotta share! The musical
   b. International Zouk flash mob- 2013

Topic sentence for paragraph 3: The reason people will take part in Improv Everywhere missions is that they want to see a lot of people perform some exact actions simultaneously. Or maybe they just want to relax.

(1) I have interviewed someone who has joined flash mob before. They would like to participate in it because they think it is fun. Also, they would like to see a lot of people doing the same action at           the same time.
(2) If we look at it in the way of psychology, I find out that maybe they are just under too much         pressure so that they want to relax by doing something special.
(3) I have joined once flash mob because I have been dreaming that I can really take part in a flash   mob.


Conclusion: Learning so many things about flash mob, I would like to hold my own flash mob.

(1) Here are something I have learned about Improv Everywhere and flash mob

     c. We can make our life different by doing something special together. And maybe we will have          the same feelings as the strangers.
     d. If the action doesn’t break the law, there’s no right or wrong. It’s just because we view things          from different perspectives.
     e. Even a small gesture can make people happy.
     f. Don’t take everything seriously. It’s not necessary for you to find out significant meanings in            everything. We can just do it for fun.
     g. Reading so much information and knowing so many flash mob organizations, I think it’s quite          scary if they gather to do something bad one day. They may be a social problem.
     h.I think there is a deep relationship between culture and these kinds of activities.
     i. Though the action doesn’t break the law, it may catches polices’ eyes.

(2) I would like to share with you my own flash mob.

a. If my flash mob works, I will show the pictures and video. Besides, I will talk about my feeling during the whole process.
b. If my flash mob doesn’t work, I will talk about my plans about holding a flash mob or the contact between Zouk and me.

*Here are the details about my flash mob.

1. When: I will hold it at either after our competition or winter vacation.
2. Where: 信義區 (新光三越之間的廣場)
                   This place is big enough and it’s convenient for me to record video.
3. What: Freeze flash mob-15 minutes- 3 minutes- freeze
                                                                 - 3 minutes- unfreeze
                                                                 -3 minutes- freeze
                   Walking reversely flash mob- 5 minute
4.   How: I will use facebook to spread the news.



***** These are my all thoughts about my presentation. I know they are too much, but I think we can choose the best one.
   
                 
                     

         

the latest outline

Topic: My knowledge on and interest in Improv Everywhere (flash mob) and how "my" own flash mob is.

Main idea: Being interested in flash mobs, I learn about Improv Everywhere and other cool information about flash mob. In the end, I decide to organize a flash mob myself.

Topic sentence for paragraph 1: I am interested in Improv Everywhere because I have some great impression about these kinds of activity before deciding the topic. Besides, the more information I search, the more interested I have. So I chose this topic.

Topic sentence for paragraph 2: Improv Everywhere is different from flash mob.

Topic sentence for paragraph 3: The reason why people will take part in Improv Everywhere’s mission is that they want to see a lot of people perform some exact actions simultaneously or relax themselves.

Conclusion: Learning so many things about flash mob, I would like to hold my own flash mob.

Outline 3

Topic: Everything about flash mob and Improv Everywhere.


Introduction: I will hold a very small mob before my presentation. After that, I will                        define what is Improv Everywhere.


Main idea:

1. Why I am interested in this topic.
2. I will present the basic information about Improv Everywhere (flash mob).
3. Why people will join these kinds of activity.
4. I will talk about my own experience.
5. Videos and pictures


Conclusion:

I will talk about my observation about flash mob and what am I going to do after the presentation.

Advice

I think teacher Hazel talked to me from the point of view of a person who didn't know much about “flash mob”. After talking to her, I think the audience would like to know more about

(1) Why they want to hold a flash mob

(2) What time did the flash mob start

(3) Where did the first flash mob held at

(4) Who created flash mob

(5) Which one is the biggest flash mob

(6) People’s reaction when they see a flash mob


She told me that no matter what kind of information I decide to put into my presentation, it will be interesting. Because my topic isn't so academic that other people can’t understand.


Teacher Hazel suggested me to hold a very small mob before my presentation which can be my prelude. She also asked me to think about how I can make my presentation more interesting.

Outline 2

Introduction

Why I am interested in flash mobs:

Having struggle with not knowing which topic to work on, I saw a flash mob video on the Inter Net and it was hold at Taipei 101. In addition, I have joined a flash mob once and I was quite interested in this topic so I chose it at last.


Main idea

1. What is a flash mob?
A flash mob (or flashmob) is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then quickly disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, and artistic expression.
Flash mob= “Flash” crowd+ smart “Mob”


2. What are the differences between flash mobs and Improv Everywhere?

No. Improv Everywhere was created about 2 years before the first “flash mob.” While some of our missions may have certain similarities to a flash mob (large numbers of people engaging in a coordinated activity in a public place), we have never embraced that term. Some missions use just a few folks while others might use thousands, depending on what suits the idea. Also, our projects are rarely over in a flash. Many last for hours.
Over the years the term “flash mob” has been beaten to death by the media and co-opted by marketers. It’s become a lazy, catch-all term to describe things as varied as people dancing at a Black Eyed Peas concert to surprise Oprah Winfrey to teens meeting up to commit crimes in Chicago. I’m not sure what it even means anymore, and I don’t really care to use it to describe what we do.
3. Why do people do it?

       Psychology parts

4. Why am I interested in it?

(1) After searching so many websites about flash mob, I really enjoy myself in them.  There are so many incredible ideas and information. Flash mob isn’t popular in Taiwan maybe is because of our culture. We are more cautious than the western countries. And that’s why some flash mob’s action won’t be accepted by us. I think reading and watching so many videos about flash mob is very interesting because it makes me notice that there’s a kind of new world out there I don’t know.
(2) Those flash mobs’ creators are so creative that I can’t even imagine. In Taiwan, I have never seen such a special activity. Though the doings may not be perfectly planned, it really looks spectacular in the end. I would like to join these flash mobs when I watch every single video about them.
(3) Sometimes I will think about that if I can join one of the flash mobs, what will it be like?
     

5. Talk about my own experiences

      (1) Joining the flash mob

            I joined a flash mob at 西門町 when I was in the first grade of senior high school.

      (2) Contacting with some flash mobs

            During these few months, I had sent e-mails to some flash mob organizations or left some messages on facebook.

      (3) Knowing so many interesting websites

            I haven’t decide which example I am going to tell.
         

6. How to create a flash mob by yourself

   (1) Include my own expecting feedback

         I hope people who participated in my flash mob will be happy that they had joined it. I don’t want them to be disappointed about this activity or think it is a waste of time to join this activity. I hope they can have different feelings when they are doing these actions. They can consider themselves a special person in the world because every pedestrian is looking at them. They are curious about what are they doing. I hope there will be more people understand what is a flash mob by participating my flash mob.
       
   (2) Whole plan about holding a flash mob

      1 Understand the purpose of a flash mob.
      2 Decide what you're going to do for your flash mob occasion
      3 Watch previous flash mob events on YouTube.
      4 Organize your flash mob.
      5 Provide clear instructions to your group of people.
      6 Arrange any props or costumes needed.
      7 Know the limitations of your location.
      8 Organize photographers
      9 Let go
      10 Finish doing it as if nothing ever happened.

I know the simplest flash mob is to freeze at the same time. Now, I am thinking about to hold a flash mob which freeze at the same time for five minutes then unfreeze for five minutes and freeze again for another five minutes. After that, simply unfreeze and do not acknowledge other people. If onlookers ask you what you are doing, just say “I don’t know what you are talking about.” Then just leave the place.


(4) Videos or pictures taken from my flash mob

If my flash mob doesn’t work, I will put others’ flash mobs’ videos.


Conclusion


1. Things I have learned during the course of preparation
   
(1) The way to search information
(2) How to interact with people
(3) Organizing my material
 
2. What am I going to do with flash mob in the future
   
I found an International flash mob organization called “Zouk”. Zouk is a dancing International flash mob. It will only hold an activity once a year. During the latest date, there were 127 countries in 43 countries participated in this activity on September 21 2013, the international day of peace. They danced at the same time in different places. Though there are so many cities take part in this huge activity, Taiwan isn’t in the list. After noticing it, I sent e-mails to Zouk, asking them if we can join it. Then they replied me that if I have leadership skills, I can be the coordinator of Taiwan. At first, I would like to give it a try, but then they told me that the next activity will only hold on after my presentation. So I can’t go on this plan. Due to this reason, I hope I can really be the coordinator of Taiwan in the future. Actually, dancing is a very challenging work for me, but I would like to take a try. I ‘m not sure yet, maybe it will change my life. In addition, I would like to go abroad to participate more flash mob activities in other countries.

Outline

Introduction:

Why I am interested in flash mobs:

            Having struggle with not knowing which topic to work on, I saw a flash mob video on the Internet and it was hold at Taipei 101. I have joined a flash mob once and I was quite interested in this topic so I chose to work on this topic at last.

Main idea:

1.      What is a flash mob?

A flash mob (or flashmob) is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then quickly disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, and artistic expression. 

Flash mob= “Flash” crowd+ smart “Mob”

2. What are the differences between flash mobs and Improv Everywhere?

No. Improv Everywhere was created about 2 years before the first “flash mob.” While some of our missions may have certain similarities to a flash mob (large numbers of people engaging in a coordinated activity in a public place), we have never embraced that term. Some missions use just a few folks while others might use thousands, depending on what suits the idea. Also, our projects are rarely over in a flash. Many last for hours.

Over the years the term “flash mob” has been beaten to death by the media and co-opted by marketers. It’s become a lazy, catch-all term to describe things as varied as people dancing at a Black Eyed Peas concert to surprise Oprah Winfrey to teens meeting up to commit crimes in Chicago. I’m not sure what it even means anymore, and I don’t really care to use it to describe what we do.

3. Why do people do it?

       Psychology parts

4. Why am I interested I it?

5. Talk about my own experiences

      (1) Joining the flash mob

      (2) Contacting with some flash mobs community

      (3) Knowing so many interesting websites

6. How to create a flash mob by myself

   (1) Include my own expecting feedback

   (2) Whole plan about holding a flash mob

   (3) Videos or pictures taken from my flash mob

Conclusion

1. Things I have learned during the all preparation

2. What am I going to do with flash mob in the future

    

Topic

Topic- Improv Everywhere

Main idea- Why they want to join these missions -psychology

   -interviews

Outline- introduce “Improv Everywhere” - history

                                                                   - differences between flash mob and Improv Everywhere

                                                                - “Improv” (the book I bought will be my proof)

            -experiences - contacting with some flash mobs or the founder

                                 - own experiences

            - my own video (not sure)

I got another problem was that I am not sure if I am going to hold a flash mob.

If I want to hold one I have no idea about where am I going to do at and who will

join it.

If I am not going to hold one, I am afraid that my presentation will be very boring.

I think I have to think about this seriously.         

translation

1. How did you get this information?

    a. classmates

    b. Museum of Contemporary, Taipei

2. Why do you want to join “ flash mob”?

    a. I want to see a lot of people perform some exact actions simultaneously, but it was        different from the dancing flash mob I imagined before.  

    b. I think it was interesting so I decided to join this activity.

    c. I think it would be a shame if I didn’t participate in it.

3. Did you learn anything through this experience?

    a. Living in a less interactive society, I had the same feelings as others participating in this activity.

    b. I can get some incredible memories by attempting bravely.

    c. If there’s only one person doing the actions, I think it will be very weird. On the other hand, when you see people you know or you don’t know doing the same things at the same time, you won’t feel odd anymore. Instead, we will think that we are doing a meaningful thing.

    d. Participating in it with strangers and only we know what we are doing make me feel very cool.   

4. How do you think about “flash mob”?

    a. Narrow down the core concept into a theater which its background can shift time over time.

    b. A lot of people do the same actions in a short time.

    c. People gather and do some specific action which people think it is abrupt in our ordinary life.

    d. They appear and disappear in a short time.

5. What is your expectation for this activity?

    a. I wish I can see someone doing some interesting actions.

    b. I can observe something I often ignore during the daily life.

    c. I can experience to be the odd one in others people point of view.

Observation

I asked my classmates some questions this week:

1.如何得知這項訊息?
    a.同學~
    b.在fb當代藝術館的粉專分享看到的

2.為什麼會去?那為什麼不會去?
   a.因為很想看看多人同時進行一個快閃活動的樣子，不過這和我想像中那種跳舞快閃很不一樣!
   b.覺得很有趣所以想參加
   c.大家約了一起去感覺很好玩，不去感覺有點可惜

3.有從中學到什麼嗎?
   a.因為在這個沒有太多互動的城市裡，和一群不認識的人們有了心意相通的感覺♥
   b.勇敢嘗試可以留下很不一樣的回憶
   c.若只有一個人感覺很奇怪，但其實你看到很多不管是認識的或不認識的人跟著一起做就不覺得奇      怪，反而覺得我們都在做一件富有意義的事
   d.跟陌生人共同參與一件事 只有參與活動的人知道彼此在幹嘛 很酷

4.認為快閃是什麼?
   a.將事物的核心概念濃縮成一個即景劇場，隨時都可以變動
   b.就是一群人一起在短時間內做同一些動作吧
   c.大家聚在一起做別人或平常覺得突兀的事情
   d.快來快走

5.一開始對於這個活動有什麼樣的期待?
   a.期待能看見人們一起進行些有趣的動作吧
   b.原本期待可以藉此觀察到日常生活中忽略的小事
   c.可以體驗變成別人眼中奇怪的樣子

I will translate them into English later.

During this week found some Apps which are related to flash mob. I can find flash mobs all over the world. I can get the info of the time, the dates, the place and what are they going to do. Besides, the coolest thing I found is there's a organization called ZOUK. It is a international flash mob. They only hold a flash mob once in the entire year. Over 100 cities will join them and have a flash mob at the same time in different country.

Unfortunately, Taiwan isn't in the list so I wrote an email to them to ask if we can join them.

They said that they don't have a group from Taiwan and flash mob will happen only next year now. So I have chance to become coordinator :)

Improv Everywhere

I think if I want to know the first-hand information, I have to interview someone. ( Not included the person I know.) I will start to do this when I am free. So I am going to paste the information from the organization"Improv Everywhere".

1.Why do you do this?

Improv Everywhere is, at its core, about having fun. We’re big believers in “organized fun”. Our missions are a fun source of entertainment for the participants, those who happen to see us live, and those watch our videos. We get satisfaction from coming up with an awesome idea and making it come to life. In the process we hopefully bring excitement to otherwise unexciting locales and give Improv Everywhere is, at its core, about having fun. We’re big believers in “organized fun”. Our missions are a fun source of entertainment for the participants, those who happen to see us live, and those watch our videos. We get satisfaction from coming up with an awesome idea and making it come to life. In the process we hopefully bring excitement to otherwise unexciting locales and give strangers a unique experience and a great story to tell. We’re out to prove that a prank doesn’t have to involve humiliation or embarrassment; it can simply be about making someone laugh, smile, or stop to notice the world around them.

2.How did it start?

In August of 2001, I went out to a West Village bar with my college buddies Brandon Arnold and Jon Karpinos. On a whim we decided to pull a prank where we would enter separately and they would approach and identify me as musician Ben Folds. It worked. I spent three hours in the bar as “Ben Folds,” signing autographs, posing for photos, and drinking on the house. At the end of the night, I left the bar without revealing it had been a hoax. I had always been a prankster, but this experience got me excited about the potential of staging creative pranks in public places. The best part was everyone had a good time. As a comedian and actor new to the city, I discovered I could create my own performances rather than waiting around for someone to give me an opportunity. Bored at my temp job the next Monday morning, I wrote the story down and put it on the web. Improv Everywhere was born.

3.How can you call it “improv”? Your missions are clearly pre-planned!

We are not claiming that what we are doing is improv. The majority of Improv Everywhere Agents met each other through the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York, the nation’s most awesome improv comedy theatre and school. While staging organized stunts in public places is obviously completely different from improv comedy in a theatre, the two activities do share similar techniques. We stay in character at all costs and usually have no script beyond the mission’s idea. We have no clue how people are going to react to us, and that is where the improvisation comes in. If I could go back in time and chose a different name, I would. After 12 years, I think I’m stuck with it.

4. Aren’t these flash mobs?

No. Improv Everywhere was created about 2 years before the first “flash mob.” While some of our missions may have certain similarities to a flash mob (large numbers of people engaging in a coordinated activity in a public place), we have never embraced that term. Some missions use just a few folks while others might use thousands, depending on what suits the idea. Also, our projects are rarely over in a flash. Many last for hours.

Over the years the term “flash mob” has been beaten to death by the media and co-opted by marketers. It’s become a lazy, catch-all term to describe things as varied as people dancing at a Black Eyed Peas concert to surprise Oprah Winfrey to teens meeting up to commit crimes in Chicago. I’m not sure what it even means anymore, and I don’t really care to use it to describe what we do.

5.Has any mission ever gone terribly wrong?

We’re not looking for legal trouble, but on occasion it has found us. See Even Better Than The Real Thing, No Pants 2k6, and Best Buy for examples of missions where the police got involved. We may break store policies or park regulations from time to time, but we do not break the law. It’s unfortunate whenever a cop has his time wasted responding to something we do.

*The books I bought from Amazon had just arrived on Saturday. I really need some time to read them so I can't upload the excerpts to my blog in the short time. I will try to finish reading them as fast as I can!

the connection

I divided the information I found into four sections:

These are the reason why people will join the flash mob  activities:

    

     (1) Pressure

           What causes pressure:

                Not only when we encounter big events but also when we got to deal with a lot of trivial things will make us feel pressure. In addition, having conflicts with someone else is also one of the reasons bringing pressure. The psychological reactions caused by pressure makes people can't concentrate on the things they want to do. Also, it makes people's ability to organize thoughts become worse and worse. When they emerge these symptoms, they would like to find a way to release their pressure. Maybe participating a flash mob activity is a kind of way to make themselves happier.

     (2) How do they regard ''flash mob''?
                 When we are trying to understand new things, we usually have different ways to explain or organize them into meaningful categories. For the same things, some people may think they are scary, others may explicate them as unique or awesome. As a result, for flash mob, some people possibly regard it as a special doings because joining it will make them feel cool or comfortable; but for the others, they may think it as a kind of activity that disturbs social order.

     (3) What's the purpose to participate in a flash mob?

                  Those people may have some expectations after joining flash mob. Maybe they hope they can relax or adjust themselves into a better situation in life. Having different expectations can lead to many choices in life. Besides, our own value propositions will affect our actions. Though people may have the same expectation, they may react in different behaviors. The reason is that they don't have the same opinions about the behavior consequences, such as flash mobs, someone prefers to join it, but others don't. On the other hand, there might be no purpose for them to participate in flash mob. They may just want to try once to join this cool activity. Or maybe the reason is that social environment makes us want to take part in it. Other people's emotional support and caring can make our compression index higher. Reports say that having more connections with society won't make us easily to get stress-related illnesses because friends and family can give us a lot of support. By acceding flash mobs, those people maybe can find their own sense of belongings and increase their confidence levels.

      (4) A kind of psychological treatments:

                   Psychological treatments means to use the concepts of psychology to treat people. All the techniques are meant to use to help those whose moods are disorder and to change their actions, ideological activities and emotions so that they can develop some useful ways to deal with their pressure and to improve their communications with other people. Besides, some psychologists believe that changing their actions is better for patients to get more understandings about their subconscious motivation and conflicts. Thus, taking part in a flash mob may heal their psychological traumas.

*These are the findings from my research and my perspective on this topic.

 

     

書名:心理學導論

• 個人變量 (P. 675~676 第二點~第五點)

1. 認知方式:你如何認識事物的?人們在捕捉信息，解釋或描述事物及信息組織成有意義的類別     或範疇等方面事千差萬別的。對同一事件，有人把它看成是令人恐懼的，另一個人則把它       當作是挑戰。

2. 對後果的期望:將發生什麼?對不同的行為後果的期望將指導著個體對行為的選擇。我們對自     身能力的期望也將影響行為:因為我們確信我們完成某一活動的能力，所以我門就能預見某       一種行為的後果。

3. 主觀的價值:什麼是有價值的?具有相似期望的個體可能選擇不同的行為，因為在他們的心目     中，行為後果被賦予不同的價值。

4. 自我調節的系統和計畫:即你如何實現你的目標?人們在調節行為時採納了不同的標準和準則      (包括字我實施的對成功或失敗的獎懲)。此外，個人在實現目標、執行實際計劃時，其能       力也是千差萬別的。

• 社會學習論對人格的描述 (P.676  第一段)

5. 正如精神分析取像那樣，社會學習取向對人格的理解也帶有決定論的色彩。然而與精神分       析取向相比，社會學習取向很少關注行為得生物決定因素，而是完全集中於對行為的環境       因素的研究。

• 壓力反應的變異 (P.726 第一段)

6. 現代的理論家們強調認知與情緒因素在決定對壓力性事件的生理反應中的重要性。從而，       一種特殊的的壓力源是否引發壓力反應及壓力反應模式，依賴於此種環境對當事人的意           義。

• 對壓力的心理反應 (P.727~728)

a. 認知損害 (P.727)

7. 壓力損害我們專心致志與邏輯地組織思想能力，它使我們不能集中注意於手頭的工作，我       們的思維活動傾向於受到對行為後果的憂慮與自我否定想法的支配。

8. 在壓力發生時，人們傾向於求助那些過去一直有效的行為模式。謹慎的人可能變得更加謹       小慎微和完全退縮不前，而有進攻傾向的人可能失去控制力，毫無必要的四處攻擊。如果       開頭的應對嘗試沒有成功，那麼焦慮便常常增強，個體的應對努力變得比較刻板，不能發       覺解決問題的辦法。

b.情緒反應 (P.728)

9. 壓力性的情境造成情緒反應，其範圍從興奮快樂(壓力性事件既被看作是對自己的一種要         求，又是一種可以處理的挑戰時)到較常見的焦慮、憤怒、沮喪與抑鬱的情緒。

10. 淡漠與抑鬱對人的行為的研究是複雜的。造成複雜的一個因素是，不同的人對類似情境的       反應方式不同。雖然對挫折的常見反應是主動攻擊，但相反的反應－退縮與情感冷漠，也       是常見的。如果壓力的條件持續存在，人又不能成功地應對它們，那麼淡漠的情感就會加       深而變成抑鬱。

• 壓力的來源 (P.739~741)

a. 日常困擾 (P.739)

11. 或許，造成重大壓力的不是重大的生活事件，而是我們日常生活中的輕微挫折與煩惱。研       究者們發現，日常困擾的積累與人們生活中的重大事件相比，是情緒與身體健康狀況的更       好的預測指標。

b. 衝突 (P.740~741)

12. 未解決的衝突是壓力的另一個來源。衝突往往發生於雙方對確定的目標，採取行動時各取       己見，互不相讓的節骨眼上。

• 影響壓力的情境因素 (P.742~743 第一跟最後一段)

13. 壓力源的某特點會影響壓力的嚴重性－即壓力源的可預見性與它的可控制性。對壓力體驗       發揮強而有利的另一個情境因素是社會支持的可用性。

14. 社會支持:其他人的情緒支持與關心可以使壓力變得較可忍受。許多研究指出，擁有許多社       會聯繫的人比那些沒有支持性社會聯繫的人生存時間長，不易罹患與壓力有關的疾病。朋       友與家屬能夠多提供多方面的支持。所以這些都有助於減少失助感或無助感並增強我們對       自己應對能力的信心。

• 壓力的應對 (P.744)

15. 一個人努力處理壓力性要求的過程，被稱為''應對''。有兩種形式: 一種是著重於問題，即         當是人估計壓力情境並做某事已改變或避開它。另一種形式著重於對問題的情緒反應，即       當事人直接處理產生焦慮的那個情境。

• 心理治療的方法 (P.838)

16. 心理學治療指採用心理學手段對心理障礙治療。所以技術都是要用來幫助情緒失常的人改       變行為、思想活動與情緒，以便他們能開發出較有用的方法來處理壓力以及與人相處。

17. 有些心理治療家相信，行為的矯正有賴於病人對其潛意識動機與衝突的了解；另一些心理       治療家認為，不必探討那些導致病情發展的因素，病人也能學會應對他們的問題。

• 社會態度是一種直覺的邏輯 (P.920)

18. 態度之間的一致性: 我們在早些時候已經指出，一個人的態度是可以連貫的，因為他們都         來自一組基本價值的核心。價值可以定義為對某些廣泛的行為方式(如勇敢、忠誠、友誼)         或對某些終極的存在狀態(如平等、救世、自由、自我實現)的基本態度。

Books

Here are the books that might help my project:

( I couldn't find much information in every book. That's why I find more than 10 books.)


1. Diana E. Papalia, Sally Wendkos Olds, Ruth Duskin Feldman(2002.6)。人類發展-成人心理學。       桂冠出版社。

2. Donald W. Winnicott(2009.3)。遊戲與現實。心靈工坊。

3. Duane P. Schultz, Sydney Ellen Schultz(2011.6)。人格理論。洪葉出版社。

4. Jane Milton, Caroline Polmear, Julia Fabricius(2007.2)。精神分析導論。五南出版社。

5. Jerrold S. Greenberg(1995.11)。壓力管理。心理出版社。

6. John D. DeLamater, Daniel J.Myers(2007.8)。社會心理學。心理出版社。

7. Martha Augoustinos, iain Walker, Ngaire Donaghue(2010.12)。社會認知。心理出版社。

8. Patricia A. Resick(2003.12)。壓力和創傷。五南出版社。

9. Rita L. Atkinson, Richard C. Atkinson, Edward E. Smith, Daryl J. Bem(1994.6)。心理學導論。         曉園出版社。

10. Robert J. Stemberg(2010.3)。認知心理學。雙葉書廊。
   
11. 蘇建文,林美珍,程小危,林惠雅,幸曼玲,陳李綢,吳敏而,柯華葳,陳淑美(1991.10)。發展心理                學。心理出版社。

12. 林敬堯(2005.10)。情緒管理與壓力調適。心理出版社。

13. 溫世頌(2007.1)。心理學導論。三民出版社。

14. 李新鄉(2008.8)。組織心理學。五南出版社。

15. 高尚仁(1996.9)。 心理學新論。楊智出版社。

FIRST STEP

        After having discussion with teacher Weichuen and surfing the net, I decided that my main theme would be'' Why they want to join those activities?''  (activities= mobbed+ Improv everywhere Mission)

        

        I will be working toward psychological level such as:

                   1. 心理學概論

                   2. 社會心理學

                   3. 發展心理學

                   4. 認知心理學

        There might be no answer, but I still want to do this topic because it is very interesting!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The organization, Improv Everywhere, is actually different from Flash Mob. I will briefly explain the differences between these two terminologies. I can get the information from their website, Charlie Todd's (the founder of Improv Everywhere) interview or some blogs. 

       

I am thinking about the topic'' mobbed''
or the theme''把愛傳出去'' and the exhibition of '' Titanic''
I will post the details as soon as possible.