Flash Mob Gone Wrong

[Spot's Meow]

I heard this story on the local news last night.

Flash Mob Gone Wrong

A flash mob showed up at a local mall (it just happens to be the same mall that faced that huge fire back in October, the Roseville Galleria, which reopened recently) and attempted to spread their holiday cheer by singing Hallelujah in the food court. Unfortunately word got out that this was going to happen and about 5,000 people showed up to participate in or watch the event. The food court, which is on the upper level, was packed, as you can see from the photos in the article.

So people reported hearing loud pops and feeling the entire floor shift. Over 50 people called 911 and the fire department showed up to evacuate the whole mall. Engineers were called out to expect it and everything.

Luckily no one was hurt. But what were these people thinking, over 5,000 in the same section of the mall all standing around?? I'm sure the mall was packed anyway from the normal holiday shoppers. Maybe this will teach flash mobbers to keep their mouths shut so as to avoid structural damage to their desitnations.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

But what were these people thinking, over 5,000 in the same section of the mall all standing around?

I'm sure they were thinking that they never expected 5,000 people to actually show up. I doubt there was any conscious intent to flood the mall to overcrowding, just to get enough people to show up to make it big and entertaining.

 

[ancientone51]

Flash mobs should be limited to ground floors.

I didn't know about the DFW Nordstroms flash version of the Hallelujah chorus until it was over. I am bummed

 

[Spot's Meow]

But what were these people thinking, over 5,000 in the same section of the mall all standing around?

I'm sure they were thinking that they never expected 5,000 people to actually show up. I doubt there was any conscious intent to flood the mall to overcrowding, just to get enough people to show up to make it big and entertaining.

I'm sure there was no malicious intent, but when you see how crowded the mall is - heck, when you see how crowded the parking lot is - I'd say that's the time to turn around and go home.

 

[Trekker4747]

Or I'm sure they thought the mall's structure wasn't made out of peanut-brittle.

5,000 people is a lot, for sure, but it seems odd to me that the floor's structure wouldn't be able to support it.

 

[Spot's Meow]

Or I'm sure they thought the mall's structure wasn't made out of peanut-brittle.

5,000 people is a lot, for sure, but it seems odd to me that the floor's structure wouldn't be able to support it.

Well, they weren't spread out throughout the mall, they were all focused in the food court, which is a nice-sized space but not exactly equipped to handle that many people. Looking at the pictures, I can't imagine why anyone wanted to be there, there was no room to even walk.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Flash mobs can feel free to congregate at my online store. I promise the floor won't collapse.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Somehow, I had a different idea of what "Flash Mob" meant...

 

[Hound of UIster]

Darwin Awards just waiting to be handed out.

 

[Mike Farley]

Is it really a "flash mob" if everyone knows you're going to be there? Or is it just a scheduled, unofficial performance?

 

[Guitarded]

I guess no one was floored by the supposedly ground-breaking performance.

 

[Pingfah]

I guess no one was floored by the supposedly ground-breaking performance.

Groan.

Don't give up your day job. Unless your day job is being a comedian of course.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Uh oh. More competition for Neroon.

 

[tharpdevenport]

One could say they were getting in on the ground level, heh?

Things were almost a ... smashing success...

Someone said Bill Withers was going to be there, but luckily ... no one fell for it.

 

[Guitarded]

One could say they were getting in on the ground level, heh?

Things were almost a ... smashing success...

Someone said Bill Withers was going to be there, but luckily ... no one fell for it.

I'm gonna have to level with you... I don't mean to crush your spirits or anything, but your jokes fell as flat as mine.

 

[JarodRussell]

If I ever witness a flash mob, I'll shoot the damn bastards. That's my policy.

 

[Mike Farley]

If I ever witness a flash mob, I'll shoot the damn bastards. That's my policy.

And that, Lt. Drebbin, is why we don't put you on mall duty. No matter how much you love Hot Topics.

 

[TorontoTrekker]

If I ever witness a flash mob, I'll shoot the damn bastards. That's my policy.

Good thing we didn't invite you to participate in the "Save FlashForward" flash mob (or would that be a "FlashForward mob"? ) I was involved in several months ago.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

If I ever witness a flash mob, I'll shoot the damn bastards. That's my policy.

I'd probably just panic and run. That's MY policy.

(after all, a flash mob is still a mob... )

 

[Neroon]

I guess no one was floored by the supposedly ground-breaking performance.