Although social media may create awareness, does social and political action through online media make deep, lasting and revolutionary change? Or do you think that it only gives the appearance of such action but tricks people into thinking they are making a difference when they really aren’t? Slactivism refers to superficial involvement where people participate without being motivated to take their activism or interest beyond clinking like, view or send.) Discuss your views.
First, let’s define a few words used to describe change.
Revolutionary:
- A revolutionary is a person who either actively participates in, or advocates revolution.
- When used as an adjective, the term revolutionary refers to something that has a major, sudden impact on society or on some aspect of human endeavor.
When we think revolutionary change, we envision complete overhaul, renovation and reconstruction. Change is fundamental, dramatic, and often irreversible[1]- transformational change.
Evolution:
- A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form.
- Evolutionary change is incremental and takes place gradually, over time.
Summary of the two words:
- Revolutionary = major sudden impact, massive, transformation change.
- Evolution = gradual, incremental change.
By way of definition, I do not believe social media can make a deep, lasting, and revolutionary change. However, again by definition, social media is making an evolutionary change. It is a gradual, incremental change.
Now, let’s define Activism and Slacktivism;
Activism:
- When people tie themselves to trees to protect the forest from being cut down, it is an example of activism.
- Slacktivism is a term that combines the words "slacker" and "activism" to refer to simple measures used to support an issue or social cause involving virtually no effort on the part of participants.
- Slacktivism is most commonly associated with actions like signing online petitions, copying social network statuses or joining cause-related social networking groups.
- Slacktivism critics contend these actions are merely for participant gratification because they lack engagement and commitment and fail to produce any tangible effect, in terms of promoting a cause.
Slacktivism, as the name suggests, involves supporting a cause on an individual level without doing much to support the big picture. The vastness of social media makes these acts incredibly easy. You can share a picture to let your Facebook friends know you care. Twitter has a hashtag for every cause. You can show your support by clicking like. But, do any of these actions causes real change?
If an individual takes their actions past just clicking like, sharing a photo, or story it can provide empowering opportunities for people all around the world to stand together in solidarity, either for or against a cause. It does bring like-minded people together and create a greater force. However, individuals armed with information must still do something with it.
Picture the example of activism – when people tie themselves to trees to protect the forest being cut down. What if the only act from 100, 000 people were clicking like on a Facebook page? How does that help?
I actually do think social media can fool some people into thinking they are making a difference when they really aren’t. Let’s look at the tree picture again. We have one person tied to the tree, fighting for a cause, meanwhile the rest of the 100,000 people are at home – yet they agree with him, “save the forest”, they clicked like. Even though all these people agree with him in saving the forest, he is totally alone, tied to the tree, trying to save the forest. This is a very simple example, but I do hope you are catching what I am trying to say.
I am not saying that every individual has to go out and tie themselves to a tree, but there are meaningful ways to help after clicking like or sharing a photo or story. Individuals can write letters in support of (or against) a cause to public officials or individuals who have authority to address issues of public interest. An individual could also help by donating money to a worthy cause. The majority of people cannot physically be right in the midst of it but they can feel a part of it by assisting financially. Always research first how donations are spent by the organization before supporting them. No one likes to see 90% of their donation going to administration expenses.
While I completely agree that clicking Like on a Facebook page may not have the ideal effect for causes, I noticed towards the end you suggested that people take the time to write letters or donate money to help causes that they find important. With respect to writing letters, I always figured that part of the reason this was an effective campaign for change wasn’t always what the letter said but the volume of letters from large numbers of concerned people, all saying the same thing. Essentially, isn’t the Like button (and other similar social network ‘buttons’) just a simpler form of this attempt at social change? Rather than a stamp and an envelope, a popular Facebook page for a cause or a Twitter hashtag has the ability to go viral and be seen by the media, which in turn may spur the intended audience to action. Perhaps the Like button is a very underestimated tool in raising awareness.
ReplyDeleteHello Charlotte,
ReplyDeleteI think that social media is a great tool when trying to create awareness of issues; however it is only one of many when attempting to make a long lasting change and I totally agree that more can be done beyond just clicking like or follow. In a situation such as the person tied to a tree more needed to be done than clicking like however in other situations these actions can be exactly what are needed. An example would be a company that is selling a product they know to be dangerous finds out there are pages set up against them with thousands of followers, it is likely that they will recall the product in order to save their image.
When looking at the definitions you provided on revolutionary and evolution I would have to agree that social media is making an evolutionary change. While social media has changed the way we do things it did not happen overnight. Considering the first email was in 1971 there is nothing sudden about it.
Social media is a great tool for creating awareness and I agree that the "like" button is underestimated, if it is used in a legitimate way it can be very effective. Sharing something or liking a cause gives people the feeling that they are contributing and making a difference, however, I think the deep, long lasting social impact isn't there due to the number of causes and the fact that it's difficult to know who is behind the campaign.
ReplyDeleteSocial media can bring about change, it's just done in a very different way. Due to the violent nature of some protests, I'm sure people feel much safer about being behind their laptop and making a little bit of a difference in the world.
Wow I really like you took the time to break this all down I never would have to think to approach this subject this was. I usually put myself down as a slacktivist when it comes to activism see myself talking a big game and not doing much about it. Not that ideas can’t change the world but I’m more and arm chair revolutionist. I believe that evolution is usually a better route even Canada didn’t change overnight. Although I may not do much in the way of actually changing anything I do try to make sure the people around me are well aware of problems happening in the world that may affect there daily lives. Planting seeds…
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