The Rigged-Up Net

Rummaging through the recycle bin of Net obsessions

Good news: Net fashionistas have already declared the “flash mob” — in which participants follow instructions given by e-mail and mobile phone to gather, annoy passersby, and disperse — passé. Like a vapid-but-catchy summer anthem (here’s looking at you, Nelly), a sartorial whim that everyone follows and then rapidly drops (hello, mood ring!), or the desperately annoying catchprase on everyone’s lips (whassuuuuup indeed), various cybercultural oddities (a.k.a. memes) over the years have made a fleeting impact on Net culture, and sometimes beyond it.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2003-08-28-net-fad-history_x.htm