Digital Civilization: Connecting in Person: Critical Mass

Friday, October 1, 2010

Connecting in Person: Critical Mass

Dalton and friend on tandem bike during Oct. 2010 Critical Mass ride in Provo, Utah

In a recent blog post Dalton Haslam talked about participating in Critical Mass, a monthly cycling event in which cyclists in various cities take to the road --en masse-- both to enjoy the ride but also to call attention to cycling as an important alternative to vehicle transportation. He got me curious, so I borrowed my neighbors very-sweet-ride and, with about 50 others (including Dalton and class member Morgan Wills) took to the streets of Provo tonight. Now, in some cities these Critical Mass events have caused some consternation, with some of their members using this as a sort of activism. Would we block traffic? Get arrested?

The prospect of filling up lanes of traffic and getting in trouble with the police put a bit of an edge on this event, but my first experience with Critical Mass in Provo tonight turned out to be a nice social occasion with some fun exercise on a beautiful Autumn evening. Dalton had pointed me to the Critical Mass group on Facebook, and I was glad I got (and took) the invitation to ride with group.

I always find it fascinating when I've met up with others in person by way of something that started on the Internet. And I asked around. Many of the others were also there because they'd gotten word online, and also because they did see riding as a cause and not just as an excuse to pedal or chat. I think the Internet changes both the ways and the reasons that people get together. Maybe online-mediated, face-to-face events end up being more focused -- and yet also being more random at the same time.

Part of the philosophy behind Critical Mass is that there is no leader. Whoever happens to be toward the front of the pack ends up leading us wherever he or she wants. I asked whom I thought was the leader, a girl named Becca, but she just laughed and said she thought it was somebody else. Can a herd not have a head? Interesting. Come join us on the streets for the next Critical Mass event on the first Friday in November!

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seanrwatson 14p · 758 weeks ago

How fun! I'll be there next time. My impression is that within a group personality types distinguish between stronger and weaker characters, and the stronger, motivated, and invariably manipulative personalities utilize populations in personal interest. In a setting where demonstration is objective I theorize that it would be easier to allow events to develop, but when motivation (reputation, material benefit, or opportunity) are involved, individuals will be inclined towards distinction in the game of power play.

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Dalton · 758 weeks ago

Thanks for putting this up. Critical Mass is always a great time. Really quickly, just to comment about the leaderless nature of critical mass. This is one of my favorite aspects of the event. No one really knows where we will go because it changes from minute to minute. It also makes everyone equal. No one is better than anyone else. We are just riding bikes for something we all think is important. There is no trying to be better than anyone else or taking advantage of anyone else. We all just come to a common consensus of our purpose and then there is no need for a leader because everyone understands the main purpose.

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Katherine C · 758 weeks ago

The idea of this group having no leader is fascinating to me. Often I think of something without a leader as turning into chaos and in order for something to get done there has to be someone who takes control of the situation and the group.

Dalton-About your comment that having no leader makes everyone equal--that is really interesting because it makes it so everyone is more committed and involved because they can all contribute.

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Shaun F · 757 weeks ago

This made me think of "flock dancing." If you're looking for a really humbling experience first try to convince a group of 20 people to do it and then be part of it. Everyone makes a mass and faces in the same direction. Then, Someone (in the front) starts moving. Everyone follows. When that person turns a new direction the pack begins following whomever is in front facing the new direction - leadership changes fluidly, over and over and over. The followers try (TRY) to follow/mirror so well that it's like a flock of geese, all just knowing when the movements and changes will happen - its simultaneous (or at the same time if you don't use words over 5 letters - like me). One group moving as one, changing leadership, and not even sure who's leading - they all just know...

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kristina cummins · 757 weeks ago

I get it! The cause is the leader that is why there is no personified leader. The people aren't lead by another person because they are all lead by the cause. The flock dancing is the same concept. You are just there to dance. There is no gain in it for anyone. It is just to dance. Everyone can get behind the cause instead of getting behind a person.

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seanrwatson 14p · 757 weeks ago

Taking these things into consideration, it's interesting to place the direction of academic thought, of pop-culture trends, and internet motion. There's no apparent leader, though there are greater influencers. What determines social tone?

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Kevin Watson · 757 weeks ago

Very interesting how a "cause" can become a leader. What do you all think is the "cause" or leader of the industrial revolution? Why have we ended up in a world where we are today, and not some alternative?

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Friday, October 1, 2010

Connecting in Person: Critical Mass

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