I am a big fan of imagination even if I am clueless about the subject. Seeing others do things that are wildly beyond my skillset makes me wonder how they did it or, if that is also beyond me, at least why.

Imagination is ephemeral because, once something has been done a few times, it stops being imaginative. We have to take it to the next level because it is the cleverness not the thing itself that appeals.

One benefit of being locked up in our houses as we stare down this nasty virus is that we have a chance to open our minds to new ideas, ways of doing things and maybe even solutions.

Here is an example in the world of music, a topic that ranks high on the list of things that are “wildly beyond my skillset.”

A couple of weeks ago at the beginning of my own lockdown, I was in touch with a friend of mine called Jake McCray. By all odds, Jake and I should never have even known each other let alone become friends.

He is much younger than me and most assuredly did not know the words court tennis until adulthood. Somehow, he saw the game, took it up and became a skilled player. Sadly, his progress up the rankings coincided with my age appropriate decline, but so be it. Jake had the imagination to try something new and we are both the better for it.

Good imagination, Jake, but not the imagination of this story. Look at the picture up top. See the bass player to the right of the conductor? Count back three rows to the dark-haired sax player in the dark blue uniform. That’s Jake.

Back in 2013, the idea of a flash mob was imaginative, but the idea was so good that many copied it and the surprise element was lost. The United States Air Force Band, of which Jake is a member, no longer does flash mobs but, the idea opened the door to the creation of other unexpected concerts.

Have a look at what an unexpected pleasure looked like in 2013. But then find your way back because there is something more current but equally imaginative.

How do you do a flash mob during a lockdown (assuming you still want to)?

Here’s the answer.

Take that you nasty little virus. Old great ideas get replaced by new ones. We win because we have imagination.