Comments | ms_jinxme: Slacktivism

ms_jinxme

Slacktivism

Mar 09, 2011 18:18

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? ( Read more... )

Comments 8

vampyresheep March 9 2011, 22:48:38 UTC

I hate those silly FB status update things, "to raise awareness". Serves nothing but to give people a moral high ground to think that they are doing something better than you are by participating in the childish game ( ... )

ms_jinxme March 10 2011, 09:34:18 UTC

The first one was vaguely entertaining - but even then I remember thinking it seemed rather pointless; I don't think anyone got the slightest more 'breast cancer aware' by it. The ones after I really stepped away from!... but I did find it hard to say anything as the people who did it are people I really like, & I was loath hurting anyones' feelings. I sort of pretended I hadn't gotten the invite to participate... *heh*

I have joined a petition group, but I have currently suspended any monetary giving because I am so uncertain where I can give without it being misspent. I really badly would like to give towards starvation (I saw some horrible pictures a year ago which really took my breath away), but that is the most corrupt of all - just a fraction reaches these people. I mean, how disturbing is it that Haitians are still waiting to get the monetary help that was given a year ago ( ... )

vampyresheep March 10 2011, 09:44:35 UTC

I used to know someone who had a PR role for a certain well known charity (mentioning no names) and was shocked to learn just how well paid her job was, along with flash company car etc. It made me think about where exactly the money goes to, which people donate in good faith.

I like to think that petitions *might* do some good, at least its a public notice of support or opposition for a cause. However, this is also a victim off too much bandwagon jumping. People rush to sign stuff to feel morally worthy without reading into the background of the situation, which I think devalues the impact of a petition.
The forestry thing being a good example - I was amazed by the comments of some people on FB, just how ill informed people were (ie thinking we were going to loose all our National Parks, which are absolutely nothing to do with the Forestry Commission!)
So yes, I do sign petitions if it is for something I believe in but not without checking the facts first.

ms_jinxme March 10 2011, 13:53:01 UTC

yeah, the 'flash company car' was the story I heard from the vet too... I really wonder how these people can sleep at night. :-((((

Petitions is a bit hit & miss, but at least it's a way to draw attention to things and highlight that there is a concern. That said I am probably guilty of not always knowing the full background - although I am careful not to profess more than what I do know. For me it always seems a complete gamble releasing anything to the private sector, no matter the assurances given; I'd like things to stay in government hands as much as possible. I may have precious little trust in them, but I have even less trust in private interests!

Thread 6

void150 March 10 2011, 12:38:57 UTC

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 ( ... )

ms_jinxme March 10 2011, 17:47:33 UTC

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 ( ... )