I’m in the camp of if someone is choosing between online solitaire and slacktivism, then slacktivism isn’t so bad. But there has to be a ladder of engagement to somewhere else more meaningful than changing a profile picture. Perhaps that is Marnie’s point about abundance—those child protection orgs need to be nimble enough to provide the ladder of engagement beyond the profile picture, even if it wasn’t their idea in the first place.
I think its interesting how people just sign up to a campaign - with no call to action and believe they have done something charitable. However the campaign generated over £100k for the NSPCC and increased Facebook fans by over 40% - so some good did happen. What happens next is what I am interested in…..
Thank you both for sharing your thoughts here! I totally agree - “slacktivism” needs to be defined in context, if the choice is signing an online petition or playing Angry Birds, I will take the small victory with the petition. Especially if there is a strategy in place so that as the organization behind that petition, we can capture their email or other contact information to continue to engage them, provide opportunities to get more involved, and eventually take larger actions. The “what happens next” bit that Lucy references isn’t just what is interesting, but what is really needed.
Do either of you work in organizations who have tackled the slacktivism-to-activism engagement ladder? Would love to hear if you have recommendations!
COMMENTS
BY David Geilhufe
ON December 8, 2010 11:03 AM
I’m in the camp of if someone is choosing between online solitaire and slacktivism, then slacktivism isn’t so bad. But there has to be a ladder of engagement to somewhere else more meaningful than changing a profile picture. Perhaps that is Marnie’s point about abundance—those child protection orgs need to be nimble enough to provide the ladder of engagement beyond the profile picture, even if it wasn’t their idea in the first place.
BY Lucy Gower
ON December 9, 2010 03:27 PM
I think its interesting how people just sign up to a campaign - with no call to action and believe they have done something charitable. However the campaign generated over £100k for the NSPCC and increased Facebook fans by over 40% - so some good did happen. What happens next is what I am interested in…..
BY Amy Sample Ward
ON January 7, 2011 09:20 AM
Hi David and Lucy-
Thank you both for sharing your thoughts here! I totally agree - “slacktivism” needs to be defined in context, if the choice is signing an online petition or playing Angry Birds, I will take the small victory with the petition. Especially if there is a strategy in place so that as the organization behind that petition, we can capture their email or other contact information to continue to engage them, provide opportunities to get more involved, and eventually take larger actions. The “what happens next” bit that Lucy references isn’t just what is interesting, but what is really needed.
Do either of you work in organizations who have tackled the slacktivism-to-activism engagement ladder? Would love to hear if you have recommendations!
Thanks again,
a