The rise of social media has enabled the formation of online crowds, often referred to as "freak mobs," which can quickly mobilize and influence public discourse. Twitter, in particular, has become a breeding ground for these online crowds, with its real-time nature and hashtag-driven conversations. This paper explores the concept of FreakMob Twitter, examining the dynamics of online crowds on Twitter, their characteristics, and their impact on social media and society.
The term "freak mob" was first coined by Malcolm Gladwell in his 2000 article "The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference." Gladwell described a freak mob as a spontaneous gathering of people who come together to achieve a common goal or to express a particular sentiment. With the advent of social media, freak mobs have evolved, and Twitter has become a prime platform for their formation. freakmob twitter
Bikhchandani, S., Hirshleifer, D., & Welch, I. (1998). Social influence and epidemics in social networks. Economic Journal, 108(448), 609-628. The rise of social media has enabled the