On this day, April 30th, 2008, the news brings to our attention social networking-savvy nonprofit organizations, thoughts on Egypt’s “schizophrenic” response to the internet, [more] flash mobs (and Mo Rocca on dramatically simulating them), and Urban Middle-class moms: the O.G.’s of grassroots activism.

• The Chicago Tribune realizes that social networks are no longer exclusively playgrounds for children, teachers gone wild, and pedophiles – Nonprofit organizations can be found using them too.
• A freelance journalist responds to all of the recent news about Egypt and Internet action has at least one person trying to make sense of Egypt’s emerging position. He suggests that “the government’s response to online opposition has been predictably schizophrenic.” Further, those leading online movements against the ruling clique in Egypt must “recognize the limitations as well as the opportunities of the medium.”
• Inspired by Improv Everywhere’s “Grand Central Freeze” video, Penn State students try to have their own “organized fun.” Mo Rocca talks about appearing on an episode of Law and Order: SVU as a flash mob organizer who is inspired by the same video [though, having not seen the episode, I can't tell if this is a joke as Robin Williams is shown here as the leader of the mob - Did anyone see this? Am I the only one only watches SVU re-runs in chunks on the USA network and knows nothing about the new episodes?] With the world experiencing around one flash freeze a day, is this public performance party-trick is quickly on its way to becoming the Lolcats of 2008?
• Finally, we learn about grassroots organization from those who do it best. Remember: “Hell hath no fury… like an Urban Middle-class (and up) Mom scorned.”

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