Slacktivism

[NightWatcher]

Slacktivism:

(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slacktivism)
I know, how very SLACKER of me

Slacktivism (sometimes slactivism) is a portmanteau formed out of the words slacker and activism. The word is considered a pejorative term that describes "feel-good" measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing it feel satisfaction. The acts also tend to require little personal effort from the slacktivist.

Examples of activities labeled as "slacktivist" include signing internet petitions, the wearing of wristbands ("awareness bracelets") with political messages, putting a ribbon magnet on a vehicle, joining a Facebook group, posting issue-oriented YouTube videos, altering one's personal data or avatar on social network services, or taking part in short-term boycotts such as Buy Nothing Day or Earth Hour.

How many petitions to end the war have you signed? How's that going for ya?

Did you sign Dennis Kucinich's petition to Impeach Bush? How'd that end for us?

There is even a website http://www.rallycongress.com/signup/browse/ with 622 PAGES of petitions to Congress for you to sign on to. Included on the first page of the website are such gems as "Tell Congress to protect the Pledge of Allegiance",

Tell Congress to support Judges who respect the Constitution.
Senate Resolution to Honor the Monuments Men
Revoke Peta's Tax-exempt Status
U.S. citizens for stopping illegal immigration
Tell Congress To Support The Safe Climate Act
Tell Congress To Support The Fuel Economy Reform Act
Amend or End HR 811
" Mr. President, U. S. Senators & U. S. Representatives, Show Us You Stand For Liberty, For Democracy And For Human Rights In Ethiopia!!! "
SHOW US!!!
Tell The Senate To Support The Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act
Introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, this is an important first step in reducing carbon emissions in the US
Tell The Senate To Support Strong Renewable Electricity Standard
End Chinese Communist Party Torture And Murder Of Falun Gong Practitioners

This does not and will not accomplish anything except make the petition signer FEEL like they DID something without even having to leave the comfort of your computer.

So I guess the real question is do you feel better?

And, no, I'm not going to organize a movement, or have you sign a petition to do something, I am going to try to get myself and my family ready for the day, coming soon, when we'll wish we had paid attention to our grandparent's stories about how they survived during the Great Depression. I'm reading The Urban Homesteader, trying to save for a few acres out in the country, building a chicken coup, and practicing growing a few crops.


Flame on

[Brickbat]

1. The phrase "virtual march" cracked me up, I have to admit.

[virgogal]

2. No flaming here,the sixties in-your-face activism would never have

happened had the internet been around.

[arcadian]

3. What about th Twitter revolution in Iran?

Which had the CIA's fingerprints all over it.

[Earth_First]

4. Meh

I'm a big fan of snacktivism.

I have a straw as a makeshift air duster here next to the keyboard.

[Posteritatis]

5. I'm always baffled at the intensity with which some will defend things like online petitions. (nt)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. This hit piece just pisses me off.

I'll update my avatar accordingly, when I get around to it.