Forget What You’ve Heard About Slacktivism

NXNEiJune 17, 2011

Toronto

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anonymous9000/4281777022/

People Sometimes Have the Right to be

Angry

And They Have Always Tried to Do Something

About It

Hugh Macleod . . . http://www.gapingvoid.com/

Slacktivism is not the problem

Morozov/Gladwell think

Weak ties can become strong ties

Reading a blog entry

Write a comment

Join a forum

Become a local volunteer

Collect signatures on street

Internship with advocacy group

Job with advocacy group

ONE ACTIVIST’S PATH

“Although it is not possible to determine a consistent impact of Internet campaigns on real–

life decisions, there is no evidence of the substitution thesis. If anything, the Internet has a

positive impact on off–line mobilization. Accordingly, there is little evidence to support the

accusation of Internet campaigns being slacktivism.”

Slacktivism is a consequence of weak

organizers

The obstacles that prevented sharing on a global scale are now gone. Social tools provide action by

loosely structured groups, operating without managerial direction and outside the profit motive.

--Clay Shirky

Groups Assemble Differently

BEFORE . . . • People ‘gather’ (meeting,

demonstration, party) • Then they ‘share’

(exchange ideas)

NOW . . . • People ‘share’ (Facebook,

Flickr, blog, IM) • Then ‘gather’ (coalesce

around dissatisfaction, complaint . . . party idea)

Social Web . . . More Than Angry

Personal

NetworkRelationship

Share

Reward

. . . And Not Just About Selling Stuff

14

Connection Engagement Influence Action

Democratic Participation Flow