Slacktivism

[ms_jinxme]

A friend put up a link to a marvellous (& somewhat dry) blog regarding hyped up 'breast cancer awareness' games on FB - i.e. the ones where you post something obscure which is to refer to your handbag/underwear colour or sexual preference (this somehow expected to mysteriously affect men so much they'll want to engage in the cause... surely?

Comments

[void150]

Oh dear, yes this is a topic that really winds me up. I first noticed it in 2009 (before I'd heard the slacktivism used as a term) when the campaign to get Rage Against the Machine to Christmas number 1 was in full swing. I downloaded a copy of the song and then casually asked a few friends (who'd also joined the Facebook group) if they'd remembered to get theirs too, and the question was almost universally greeted with "no, it seemed like too much hassle (and/or a waste of 80p) but I did join the Facebook group, so that's the improtant thing." I then had to politelty point out that pressing the 'like' button on Facebook doesn't have any impact on the UK Singles Chart, and what was the point in 'liking' a cause and then doing nothing useful to support it? They all sort of looked sheepish and then chanegd the conversation, but I don't think my argument really swayed anybody in the end. It wasn't exactly worth getting angry over, since annoying Simon Cowell isn't a charity as such (much though I'd like it to be). But the apathy it revealed in a lot of people did really bother me and still does, especially as I've since noticed it crop up all over the place - well, primarily on Facebook - and often on much more serious causes.

What really pissed me off though was a Facebook meme last year, with people being encouraged to change their profile pictures to a cartoon character, in the hope of highlighting the importance of child abuse. Loads of people did it and I'm yet to be convinced any child abuse got prevented as a result! I think (although admittedly it's been a while now) it was the NSPCC which started that ball rolling too.

I don't really have an issue with online petitions, as long as they're properly organised and they do eventually get seen by movers and shakers of the world (so yes I did sign the one above) but the notion so many people have that 'liking' a thing actually means their opinion is being counted sickens me. I suppose the attitude's always been there, and I can think of plenty of people who've wound me up in the past by saying things like "there's no point in voting, all parties are the same" etc. Maybe social networking has merely made this sort of individual a lot more visible than they used to be... but it's also giving some of them a dangerous false feeling of accomplishment which I think might be genuinely hurting real causes.

[ms_jinxme]

Well, you just proved your point because I never realised that the change of profile pic had to do with child abuse! And it certainly didn't make me feel more or less interested in the problem than I already were...

I totally agree that it creates a false sense in people they have done something, when they really haven't. The problem is that being the person who points that out, means you become a person that is 'uncomfortable' to be around - most people don't really want to lose the sensation that they have done something good. But deep down I think we all know the apathy that is very much the sign of our times; I feel like I have to battle my own on a regular basis. But I will disagree with you on the political parties though: I do genuinely feel there's little point in voting - but this is more due to the promises made not being kept. I seriously believe a law should be put in place which stops parties from deserting their promises without some form of penalty imposed; that would kick start people's interest in politics!

I'm glad there's a consensus here about the FB campaigns though ~ I thought for a while I was the only one having these thoughts!

PS. Thank you for signing, btw! There's a slim chance the chinese are so embedded in their culture, that they haven't realised the reaction this has given rise to in other countries until told so. XXX