# Text Addict City Guides Prank Collective Improv Everywhere Provide NYC Texters with Seeing Eyes By Tia Clarke | Published 2013-05-07 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prank-collective-improv-everywhere References: [designtaxi](http://designtaxi.com/news/357330/Seeing-Eye-People-For-Text-Obsessed-NYC-Pedestrians/) & [improveverywhere](http://improveverywhere.com/2013/04/30/seeing-eye-people/) The Prank Collective Improv Everywhere caused a stir in their native New York recently when they hooked up serial offenders of the [texting and walking habit](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heinekens-latest-campaign) to [seeing eye pedestrians](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/navigation-system). The hilarious prank saw New Yorkers who were completely engrossed in what was going on on their phones attached via rope to a ‘seeing eye person’ who wore an [orange high visibility vest](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-urban-eyes-vest), much like a seeing eye dog would. If you’ve ever walked around a city, you’ll know that walking texters are a serial epidemic who narrowly avoid walking out in-front of cars and bumping into other pedestrians. Whenever asked by passers by about this ridiculous spectacle, the ‘Seeing Eye People’ said they were part of a pilot program run by the Department of Transportation. I’m not sure how many people believed these pranksters, but it sure is hilarious to watch. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 3% | Activity: 16% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Humor](https://www.trendhunter.com/humor) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Texting and Walking:** Opportunities for wearable technology companies to create devices that help prevent accidents caused by texting and walking. - **Public Pranks:** Opportunities for content creators to engage with audiences through comedic stunts in public spaces. - **Smart City Navigation:** Opportunities for startups to develop smart city navigation systems that combine technology and human assistance to improve safety and mobility in urban centers. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Wearable Technology:** Wearable technology companies can take advantage of the opportunity presented by the dangers of texting and walking. - **Content Creation:** Content creators can capitalize on the popularity of public pranks for engagement with audiences. - **Urban Mobility:** Startups working on smart city navigation systems can provide safer and more efficient transportation solutions for urban centers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Anti-Theft Phone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unsnatchable-phone-case.md) - [Impairment-Aiding Navigation Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/commute-booster.md) - [Pedestrian-Detecting Crosswalks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-pedestrian-crosswalk.md) - [Smart City Exploration Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/purrwalk.md) - [Hard-To-Read Health Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/specsavers-campaign.md) - [Accessible Subway QR Codes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorful-qr-codes.md) - [Retro Phone-Free Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/before-the-internet.md) - [Pet-Carrying Walking Aids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walking-aid-innovaion.md) - [AR Infrastructure Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/augmented-reality-lens.md)