Slacktivism

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Slacktivism (sometimes slactivism) is a portmanteau formed out of the words slacker and activism. The word is considered a pejorative term that describes "feel-good" measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing it feel satisfaction. The acts also tend to require little personal effort from the slacktivist.

Examples of activities labeled as "slacktivist" include signing internet petitions, the wearing of wristbands ("awareness bracelets") with political messages, putting a ribbon magnet on a vehicle, joining a Facebook group, posting issue-oriented YouTube videos, altering one's personal data or avatar on social network services, or taking part in short-term boycotts such as Buy Nothing Day or Earth Hour.

An early example of using the term "slacktivism" appeared in Barnaby Feder's New York Times article (May 29, 2002) called "They Weren't Careful What They Hoped For." Feder quoted anti-scam crusader Barbara Mikkelson (of www.snopes2.com) who described activities such as those listed above. "It's all fed by slacktivism ... the desire people have to do something good without getting out of their chair."

Monty Phan, Staff Writer for Newsday, was an early user of the term in his 2001 article entitled, "On the Net, "Slacktivism' / Do-Gooders Flood In-Boxes." (Newsday; Feb 27, 2001; page A.08)

The term appears to have been coined by Dwight Ozark in 1995 for the Cornerstone Festival.^[1]