Week 8

This week we discussed amplifying prosocial behaviors and "slacktivism". First, let's start with this idea of amplifying prosocial behaviors. The internet (social media) allows us to connect so easily with other people around the globe that share the same interests as us. In Shirky's novel "Here Comes Everybody," he makes some good points. The easy access to social media and connecting to others who share similar interests as us can be both good and bad. Some people form groups that help organize movements towards (for lack of a better phrase) making the world a better place. As much as people can do good through forming these groups, others can do equally as bad. For instance, Shirky brought up a great example of the "pro-Ana" group on the internet. This group is where girls can join together by a common interest--anorexia. So, this group acts as a security net and support system that keeps this disease propagating. Girls feel better about what most people frown upon because it is always easier to go against the norm when you have others behind you. So, as long as social media acts as a platform for good groups to form, it is also a platform for bad groups. So, is the amount of good worth the bad? I don't know.
     Another thing we talked about was this thing called "slacktivism." Basically, slacktivism is when people try to be activists without putting in any effort. For instance, it is super easy to share a post regarding all of the starving people around the world, but is that post that you shared going to keep a child from going to bed hungry? No. I do think there are cases where sharing a post is as much as you can do. One cannot do anything about world hunger in Africa if they are here in the United States (in most cases). So, by sharing, it allows more and more people to come together and bring attention to an issue, that perhaps, someone else could do something about. So, sometimes all we can do is share a post or show our support. The real meaning behind slacktivism is the person who is sharing posts about the amount of starving people in their community, yet they are laying on the couch and not actually doing anything about it. It's so simple to share something or let your followers/friends know how heart broken you are about something, but it is another when you actually take time our of your day to work at a soup kitchen or send clothes to a homeless shelter. If everyone acted on the feelings they portray on social media about issues, then I truly do think the world would be a better place (as cliche as that sounds).