Seeing Eye People

I was on 22nd st and 5th when I saw a bunch of people in orange vests that were walking people who were texting across the block.

I talked to a leader of the group who said NYC DOT was doing this to make people aware of walking and texting. I suggested they celebrating April Fools day a bit late this year.

I suspect they were members of Improv Everywhere who did this Chelsea Best Buys gag several years ago...

Best Buy

Posted on April 23, 2006 by Charlie

DV Cams: Agents Shafer, EMartin, Reeves, Carlson
Digital Photography: Agents Nicholson, Todd
Mission Inspired By: Agent Slavinsky
The idea for this mission was submitted by a stranger via email. Agent Slavinsky wrote in to suggest I get either a large group of people in blue polo shirts and khakis to enter a Best Buy or a group in red polo shirts and khakis to enter a Target. Wearing clothing almost identical to the store’s uniform, the agents would not claim to work at the store but would be friendly and helpful if anyone had a question. There aren’t any Targets in Manhattan, so I decided to go with the two-story Best Buy on 23rd Street.


I staked out the Best Buy a few times leading up to the mission. I wanted to figure out the exact shade of blue they used for their uniforms. One detail I noticed is that all employees wore belts and black shoes. I figured it would be against policy to film in the store, so any cameras we used would have to be somewhat hidden. In addition cameras could also be “hidden” in plain sight by using Best Buy’s demo cameras to document the mission. All we would have to do is bring in blank tapes and memory cards to insert in their own video and still cameras.


Improv Everywhere Best Buys Video

Improv Everywhere Chelsea Home Depot
Slo-Mo Home Depot
August 19, 2006

*Just found this....

The only drawback is the never-ending stream of kids who want to pet him.

OK, so this isn't a real thing, but it should be. In actuality it's (probably, but unconfirmed) part of an upcoming Improv Everywhere stunt that may or may not be published next week. But, this photo is making the rounds today because, let's be honest, we'd all feel a lot safer on the sidewalks if Seeing Eye Persons were a real thing for people who are handicapped by their phone addictions...
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