Breaking the Norm

I can not let go of the pranks conducted by Improve Everywhere. I long to do something similar as an individual, but think it has a stronger impact when conducted in groups. (Power in numbers) I have not yet done anything crazy or “off the wall"; maybe spring break will present an opportunity. However, the radio interviews also made me ponder if there are other organizations doing similar stunts? I wondered if other Popular Culture classes were organizing a mass prank, similar to our Twitter project. Low and behold, a sociology class at Georgia Southern University conducted an experiment of “doing nothing.” Nathan Palmer, a lecturer at the university recruited his class of 262 to go into the world and do nothing. Palmer’s aim was for students to experience the feeling of breaking a norm. He explained, "we are always doing something." He also wanted students to observe the range of reactions as they broke the norm. Although this study focused on breaking norms the concept of mass change is similar to Improve Everywhere. Additionally, one may argue that being busy or always doing something is part of popular culture. If you listen to discussions people are constantly talking about how busy they are and how much they have to do, as though they are proud or bragging. The goal of this experiment was not to get media attention but to raise awareness. I feel this goal was met. Students in the class reflected on their experience observers also provided comments of assessment. Additionally, the students involved in the experiment probably explained the purpose to colleagues for a full circle of understanding and perspective. I wonder if this form of awareness enhancing will become the new way of passive protesters?