The Internet: An Instrument, Not An Instigator, Of Change
Lessons Learned
While it might initially appear that a couple days of Facebook awareness-raising or hash tag trending led to a reversal in course for both the Komen decision and the SOPA/PIPA legislation, the truth is that it was in the making for quite some time and involved the participation of individuals in and out of the internet.
Regarding SOPA and PIPA, Reddit and 4chan users began paving the way months ago to “stop the death of the Internet,” while members of the hacker collective, Anonymous, began operations against pro-SOPA Congressmen and women. And for Komen to retract its decision, support was needed from the online community, members of Congress, as well as from defecting members of Komen. In other words, social media was not the sole instrument to incite change, it was merely instrumental.
Internet Activism: Humanity At Its Best And Worst
The best and worst thing about Internet activism is that you don’t have to leave your home to participate: posting links has replaced holding poster boards, and “sit-ins” are increasingly being associated with occupying office chairs. With every golden opportunity for the most efficient exchange of information there is another equally enticing chance to engage in prime social loafing.
Case in point: according to Gladwell’s piece, while there are over one million online members of the largest “Save Darfur” coalition, the average member donation is a paltry seven cents. Combine that with general ignorance toward the region and its conflict and it shouldn’t be too shocking why the only real change that’s been brought there is via the spare coins that jingle in the pockets of people’s Levi’s.
Thus the question still begs to be asked: in general, is the Internet really a useful tool in meaningful activism? Or is it just another self-congratulatory outlet where we may display our awareness of current events of which we have little understanding and in which we have limited interest? Furthermore, are we active because we truly care, because it’s easy, or simply because it’s easy and we want to look like we care?
If anything, the online reaction that aided in reversing SOPA, PIPA, and the Komen decisions have proven that the Internet can be a useful tool, much like paper was for the dissenting views of our founding fathers and the television was for those against the Vietnam War. However, it should not be seen as anything new or revolutionary. Rather, it should serve as a reminder of what people can accomplish when they work together—even if for low-risk causes.
Nevertheless, the future of SOPA and PIPA legislation may remain uncertain, and more partisan members of the Komen Foundation may still linger at future board meetings. But for now, at least we’ve saved the LOLcats.
