The Situation of the Vancouver Riots

From ANewsVanIsland:

It was a recipe for riot according to UVIC Social Psychologist Danu Stinson. Stinson says the large crowd, many wearing jerseys were left feeling faceless, anonymous and inhibited — that lack of self-awareness and personal accountability sparked and fuelled the riots. While Vancouver Police say anarchists and criminals were behind the mob that destroyed vehicles and buildings — Stinson said even average joes were easily dragged into the madness.

Dr. Stinson suggests something as simple as urging attendees to wear name-tags would have reinforced individuals and dismissed the pack mentality.

Related Situationist posts:

• The Power of Suggestion
• The Interior Situation of Honesty (and Dishonesty)
• “The Situation of Imitation and Mimickry,”
• “Deindividuation and Seung Hui Cho,”
• “The Devil You Know . . . ,”
• “The Social Awkwardness of Online Snubbing,”
• “Alone Together – The Commuter’s Situation,”
• “Internet Disinhibition,”
• “The Tragedy in Tucson: What Do You Think?,” (and the many links contained therein),
• “The Situation of Objectification,”
• “The Situational Power of Anonymity,”
• “New Study Looks at the Roots of Empathy,”
• “Hoyas, Hos, & Gangstas.”