rite, the groups that we join and the causes we support. It is easy to support a cause that a friend invites you to, but do we truly back these causes? Monica Hesse's article in the Washington Post about "Click Through Activism" focuses on the ways that many social networkers join activist groups without the intention of further supporting the cause. Some of the reasons for joining could be guilt or simply fallowing friends. Few of the people joining truly support the cause. Sometimes people do not even know anything about the group that they are joining. An example of this is the "No to Demolition of Stork Fountain" group, which was fictitiously created for the purposes of a psychological study, yet reached over 27,000 members.
When it comes down to it the numbers that join these causes show a public outcry and support, but do little else. It is easy to join a cause on Facebook, however it takes more of an effort to fallow through and act on that issue. Because of this many of these causes loose support and fail fairly quickly. Instead of this "click-through activism," taking a more proactive approach is the best way to give support to a cause you believe in.
I myself do not join groups since I feel that even if I do join a group I won't have an impact on the situation. However I think that if leaders of groups that truly want to make an impact and support there cause should take action and set actually events for protests and etc. I feel that if you join a group you should be committed to the group and take action instead of clicking accept on Facebook. Outside of Facebook and on the streets is where you can truly make an impact for your cause.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the people that join these groups don't do much to support the cause other than click the button to join. It is sad because it is actually a great idea to make these groups for people to get the word out and help fundraising and have events, but then the people who join dont even see what is going on or details about what they can do to help. I only join the groups that my friends make because they are passionate about it and i will help them out, but other than that i tend not to join. And sometimes i feel bad not joining some groups with the saddest pictures of orphan kids or something, but i know that i am not going to do much besides join. i can be a more active supporter of a group on BC's campus than on facebook.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you brought up this point because I was just discussing this issue in my Courage To Know class last Tuesday. I absolutely agree that clicking a button is a sad attempt at changing a real problem. I believe that the only reason people do it is because it makes them feel better about the horrible circumstances that some of their peers or acquaintances deal with and it is easier to pat ones self on the back for doing something small like that instead of getting out there, finding the problem, and making a real attempt to find a solution or for that matter just giving a helping hand to someone who needs it the most.
ReplyDeleteI hate Facebook groups and causes because they are so worthless. My news feed is constantly filled with people joining new causes or groups, and most likely these users will forget they joined such groups an hour later. The stork fountain is a terrific example highlighting the American public's fervent need to have their voice expressed, without looking into the issues they are "so passionate" about. The feelings of significance that come with expressing one's opinion is what drives an individual to join such groups as they believe they are simply making a difference. In reality, going out into the world and working to solve that problem is the real way to make a difference, not through this superfluous Facebook groups. I hate how lazy Americans are getting and using the internet for all their needs. I may be traditional, but it really angers me when individuals will get worked up over an issue but never act on it. Yet, that is the reality today as Monica Hesse points out concerning Facebook groups in her article.
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