A philosophical difference?
Acivism or slacktivism is the phrase used in an opinion piece in the NNews here . Isn't it interesting that we have the supporters of the Ruling Party slagging the Facebook groups for not being inovolved, in a real sense, and now we also have a word coined to describe the action - slacktivism. The use of Social Media and web 2.0 has been a great part of the discussions in my circle, can the web make a difference in people's lives, does the web encourage or discourage social interaction? Can we get the basement dwellers away from their computers and into face to face conversations? The answer is obviously Yes. The Northumberland "tweat-ups" are coming together on a regular basis and the attendance is growing. I am sure that all types of people meet there and the Dairy Queen certainly wasn't like an episode of the "Big Bang Theory". The facebook group, opposing prorogation now has over 200,000 members and as the sceptics will point out not many of those will attend the upcoming demos. But that's not the point. All parties who depend on votes should be soiling their drawers at this point because if over 200,000 people, who would not normally be drawn to political activity can come together so quickly just think what might happen when you don't even have to leave the basement to vote.
Slacktivism is not Slacktivism
A postscript
Just found this piece by Shilo Davis, an organisor of the facebook writing about the impact of Facebook on modern politics - very insightful.
Slacktivism is not Slacktivism
A postscript
Just found this piece by Shilo Davis, an organisor of the facebook writing about the impact of Facebook on modern politics - very insightful.
3 comments:
Hi Ben. We didn't slag the Facebook group for not being involved, we simply wondered if they take it to the next level and attend the rally or will they end their involvement at the click of the mouse?
Isn't that a legitimate question when 200,000 people sign up for a Facebook group? You've denounced online petitions numerous times on this blog, and isn't joining a Facebook group against something essentially the same thing?
Rick Norlock seems to think it's only "Liberal or NDP activists" who are against prorogation, and the rally on Saturday will be an interesting experiment to see if he's right.
But, personally, I think that even if the turnout at the rally is only 20 people, the PM's decision has made regularly apathetic people at least take notice of his doings, and that can't be a good thing for him and his quasi-dictatorship.
Only the ruling party and sceptical or right leaning pundits are doing the slagging and I understand that
Dwight's comment that Rick Norlock has dismissed this movement because it's "only liberals or NDP activists" illustrates why the action is so necessary.
Norlock and all the other tories routinely cover their ears to avoid hearing from anyone without a party membership, so sending them a letter or attending their bogus so-called budget consultations is a waste of time.
They need a figurative bomb dropped on their heads before they will pay attention, and this is it.
Whether or not thousands turn up across the country on Saturday, many citizens have had their political awakening with this proroguement, and the impact will range far and wide for a long time to come.
The dinosaurs' days are numbered, about to be slain by the growing democratic benefits of technology.
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