Slacktivism
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 dilute awareness campaigns and require minimal personal effort from the slacktivist.
Examples of activities labeled as "slacktivist" include signing internet petitions, the wearing of awareness ribbons or 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 Snopes.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 titled, "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 Ozard in 1995 for the Cornerstone Festival, but with a different meaning:[1] he was referring to those activities which had to be done individually, on a personal scale (such as planting a tree, as opposed to participating in a protest). Dwight used the term to counter the arguments that young people those days were not concerned with activism as the previous generation had been.
Radio host, political commentator Dan Carlin was using the term on his show in the 1990s and may have coined the present day meaning.
See also
References
External references
- The Word Spy: slactivism
- Observer Magazine: Armchair Warrior
- Snopes.com: Inboxer Rebellion (Internet Petitions) - discusses slacktivism in some detail
- Slacktivism: Why Snopes got it wrong about internet petitions
- Foreign Policy magazine: The brave new world of slacktivism
- Urban Dictionary: slactivism
- On turning slacktivists into activists
- NPR on slacktivism
- The Globe and Mail on slacktivsim - requires subscription