On the dangers of Twitter

[alitheapipkin]

Maybe I'm just feeling cynical because I'm ill but I'm reminded again today about the dangers of Twitter, and confusing online 'clicktivism' with actual activism.

Today, I'm reminded of this because #RIPHarry is trending on Twitter and various people are apparently tweeting in memory of 11 year old Harry Mosley, who has died of a brain tumour

Comments

[anthrokeight]

I disagree with Ros on the "not in the Western World" argument. For one thing, part of what Twitter/FB did is make communication for people in the Arab Spring movements able to reach out to the world to witness what was happening. We in Europe and the US were part of that movement because we were there to hear it. And that made serious change.

I think like all kinds of social engagement, Twitter has a lot of potential, and most of the time it doesn't fulfill it, as in this cancer patient campaign shows.

But volunteerism, service learning, and charity donations are often like that, I think.

I would say that online action is in an in-between stage, where people can call it really important and effective if it is something they care about, but dismiss it if it is to their advantage.

Regarding Troy Davis, It's not a comfort, but it's probably a reality that nothing anyone said was going to change the Clemency Board's mind on this one. Americans can take a gruesome pride in not caring what other people think of their ethics. In a State's Rights kind of place like Georgia, demonstrating outside a Federal building like an embassy wouldn't make a dent in the surety they have that what they are doing is right and acceptable.

I am very glad, however, that people made the effort online and in other ways to make it known that the world does watch and note how we treat our prisoners, in any way they do it. What happened was a travesty within an indignity and disregard for human rights. The death penalty is wrong, and unjust executions are wrong within the wrong. Georgia might not listen, but I am glad people spoke out anyway.

[alitheapipkin]

Today I'm glad we spoke out anyway - as I commented to evildrganymede below, I do think there is power in showing people they aren't alone in their suffering, even if you can't offer any practical help.