What is Slacktivism? 

It’s any kind of action directed towards a social cause that involves little or no effort on the part of the participant. 

Slacker activism! 

Yes, typically awareness-oriented tasks, like joining online groups, wearing wristbands and ribbons, putting bumper stickers and magnets on your car, signing internet petitions, etc. 

But everybody does these things.  They are a great way of getting the word out, and getting tons of people involved, what’s wrong with that? 

Absolutely nothing.  The problem is that awareness does not always translate into action.  Slacktivists are those who satisfy themselves with the illusion of having an impact; those who would like to believe they are making a difference without lifting a finger or losing a penny, but are really just expending enough energy to rest their consciences. 

And pat themselves on the back. 

Besides, a lot of slacktivist campaigns barely succeed in educating people about the topic they are being made aware of. 

Like posting your bra color on your Facebook status, without even mentioning the whole breast cancer issue that it is allegedly aimed at. 

Exactly. 

Although it did succeed in giving everyone a legitimate excuse to talk about boobs. 

Isn’t that what it was really about? 

It is a bit odd that they decided to raise awareness for a disease that most people are already aware of. 

On the other hand, people can be aware of a product and not necessarily feel compelled to buy it. 

They do if they’ve been exposed to enough advertisements!  Imagine if people gave as much money to charities as they spend on things like soft drinks and body sprays. 

Well, activists could use the same types of marketing strategies as big businesses, pull at peoples’ heartstrings, manipulate their needs and desires, but that’s an awfully patho-logical solution, don’t you think? 

For a social cause or for a corporate cause? 

Both…don’t you love that SPCA commercial with Sarah McLachlan? 

I see what you mean.  But how are we suppose to get people to care about social issues? 

You educate them, inform them about the situation and explain why they should care about it.  Most importantly, it must be made clear that support begins with awareness, and does not end with it.

What about donating money?

Donating money is great, but donating time and skills is even better.  Always remember that the effort you put into a cause is directly proportional to the impact you make.   

-Ryan Shullaw