Facebook activism succeeds not by motivating people to make a real sacrifice but by motivating them to do the things that people do when they are not motivated enough to make a real sacrifice.

- Malcom Gladwell in The New Yorker (via theweekmagazine)

Haven’t read the article yet (tonight, promise), but seems to me it succeeds because it easily lets people stand up and be counted? 

I can imagine someone coming to me and pitching a means by which the majority of the population can easily make its collective views known on any topic. A poller’s dream! Facebook is, or could be, that. Who cares if a voter doesn’t lift a finger. They’re still a voter, their opinion still counts, and it’s good to know about it. 

(via rickwebb)

It’s a bit amazing that Gladwell ignores all but two, three? social networks.  And one (Twitter) has indeed brought on activism, in the form of fundraising, amnesty abroad, and a communication platform in support of real life events (a la Iran election).

But, he ignores platforms like Ning (my former employer) which for better or worse, has become a de facto destination for conservative organizers as well as cause organizations. (see http://about.ning.com/spotlight/) Participation in networks like The List Project (helping Iraqis resettle abroad) indeed require “real” sacrifice.

I don’t know why he’d expect a monolithic uprising in an era that differs in every way imaginable from previous generations.

(via rickwebb)

Source: theweek.com