So, for some in-depth thoughts on how social media, etc. impact protest movements, I suggest the book "Twitter and Teargas" (https://www.goodreads.com/review/sh

So, for some in-depth thoughts on how social media, etc. impact protest movements, I suggest the book "Twitter and Teargas" (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2061997366 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2061997366). I won't try to summarize in a sentence; it's a complicated topic and she covers it well. For a detailed analysis of the current troubles, I suggest the book "Ages of Discord" (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1796955228 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1796955228). Again, I won't try to summarize. But the author predicted big political discord and upheaval in the U.S. starting in around the year 2020. Note that none of his theories require flash mobs to happen. If it weren't flash mobs, it would still be mobs. But the first book does discuss how internet communications change the dynamics (and effectiveness) of protests.