<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"What happens when thousands of people in shower caps migrate with water guns to a small island of unsuspecting visitors?\nThe MP3 experiment (#mp39) is a public participatory event created by Improv Everywhere. Consider it part scavenger hunt, part flash mob. Everyone downloads an original MP3, then meets at a specific location and acts casual until it's time to push play \u2014 followed by 45 minutes of syncronized, hilarious antics that leave unsuspecting visitors simultaneously confused and entertained.\nThe experiment has taken place in New York City every July 15 for nine years, each with a different time, location and set of instructions. \nPast tasks include lightsaber battles, mummy dance parties and balloon fights.\nAlong with thousands of others, I traveled by ferry to Governers Island Sunday afternoon.\nParticipants were given no details, other than to start the MP3 (delivered through Improv Everywhere's synchronized app, created by CSN Media) at exactly 3:00 p.m. EST, even if we were not yet on the island. Due to the high volume of people and limited mode of transportation, many had to start the MP3 on the ferry.  \nAccording to Improv Everywhere's founder Charlie Todd, around 300 more people missed the last ferry and instead participated in Battery Park on their own.\n\nSEE ALSO: Improv Everywhere Takes Formal Wear to the Beach [VIDEO]\nThough unclear why, participants were asked to equip themselves with the following supplies: a white sheet, water gun, shower cap, small stuffed animal, hard flat object and small noisemaker of some sort. \nFinally we were advised to place all valuables, mobile devices included, stored in a safe, dry place. Phones and cryptic water advisories \u2014 what could possibly go wrong?\nDespite a hot and drizzly afternoon, two teams separated by date of birth pressed play and listened to a combination of narrative from \"Steve\" and original music, composed by electronic musician Tyler Walker.\nThis year's theme was \"Governors Island Olympics,\" though you'll see none of these sporting events during the London games. \n\n\nWe obliged without hesitation to instructions, like dropping to the ground.  But that was just a warm-up \u2014 the tasks got stranger, yet none of us gave second thought as we walked aimlessly with white sheets over our heads like ghosts.\nAs instructed, we quickly flung off the sheets and then ran to the parade grounds with victory capes, the same sheets, only draped over the shoulders.\nGroups of four to eight then worked together to use the sheets as canopies and trampolines to hurl stuffed animals into the air.\nThe activities led to the \"water gun finale,\" an epic water gun battle during which participants used noisemakers before marching to meet the opposite team \u2014 all while sporting shower caps.\nThe twist? Three-hundred random participants, myself included, were instructed that we were the chosen \"secret sleeper agents.\" The interruption forewarned a sabotage during the water gun finale \u2014 a prank within a prank. Instead of aiming for the other team, we were to shoot our own side at the last second. The result was hilarious chaos. \n\n\nAn older woman unaware of the experiment laughed later when I let her in on the joke. Though she claimed to be completely surprised, it was quite obvious to me who was in on the stunt and who wasn't, mainly by the visible water guns. \nAt the same time, the number of people wearing headphones would've never seemed out of the ordinary. Most of us survive in our own little plugged-in worlds \u2014 at work, during commutes and simply walking around.\nEven with headphones, the experiment required a group effort. Even when participants weren't communicating directly, the crowd acknowledged that we were all in on the joke. It requires an unconventional language, instilling an odd form of community \u2014 much like the ones found online.\nBut I'll keep the water guns away from my computer for now.\n\n\nInstagram Coverage of the MP3 Experiment\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Diehard Participants\n\nPeople stuck in long lines didn't let location keep them from participating \u2014 many followed instructions from the ferry.\nImage courtesy of VivereNewYork\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. Victory Capes\n\nParticipants flocked to the parade grounds with white sheets draped over their shoulders.\nImage courtesy of itschiefy\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. Tower Challenge\n\nSmall groups were challenged to create the tallest tower using hard, flat objects.\nImage courtesy of justsamuelk\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Improv Everywhere App\n\nImprov Everywhere used its free iOS app to help sync mobile devices to the exact second.\nImage courtesy of qympanzer\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. Marching to Battle\r\n\n\nDonning shower caps, both teams took 50 paces toward each other, with water guns held high in the air.\nImage courtesy of leigh1029\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6. Drone Camera\r\n\nIt's a bird, it's a plane...it's a  hexacopter drone used to capture footage from the air.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n7. Founder Charlie Todd\n\nImprov Everywhere founder Charlie Todd with wife and senior IE member Cody Lindquist. \nImage courtesy of Cody Lindquist\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8. Ferry\n\nThe ferry leaving Governors Island swarmed with people. \nImage courtesy of jqj3\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage courtesy of VivereNewYork"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/07/16/mp3-experiment/>