TimmyHFacebook Activism
July 23rd 2008 01:03
Are Millennials really socially aware and politically active? Even though many are able to express their supposed social conscience through public action and demonstration, most Gen Y’s still like their Facebook activism. It’s simple, it’s easy and it does make a public statement, all be it a very small one. But although many might see Facebook activism as self-indulgent and irrelevant, the numbers alone suggest that Generation Y doesn’t.
The top Facebook groups at the moment, for social activism, are intimidating. Although not necessarily ranking as high as “Richard Dawkins = Cooler than Jesus” or “I FLIP MY PILLOW TO GET TO THE COLD SIDE” they are widely appreciated and have broad appeal.
The growth last year of “FUCK OFF JAPAN, LEAVE OUR WHALES ALONE!” was staggering, and was one of the Rudd government’s primary motivations for its strong stance at the International Convention in May.
But what are the big ones when it comes to worldwide activism on Facebook?
1. Reduce the Drinking Age to 18! - 82,009
2. Legalize Same-Sex Marriage - 81,516
3. Americans for Alternative Energy - 72,333
4. Support a Woman’s Right to Choose - 69,911
5. Support Stem Cell Research - 58,305
6. Abolish Abstinence Only Sex Education - 52,847
7. Government Religion = Disaster - 49,102
8. AIDS / HIV research - 26,819
9. Equal Rights for Gays - 24,912
10. Pro-Life - 22,699
There are others which are anti-Iraq or support refugees in Darfur, but few have links to websites which actually organise protests and demonstration. In a sense, they other Gen Y’s an avenue to display their social conscience without having to take any action to support their views.
Facebook Activism is a cop out. But it is also a reality.
The top Facebook groups at the moment, for social activism, are intimidating. Although not necessarily ranking as high as “Richard Dawkins = Cooler than Jesus” or “I FLIP MY PILLOW TO GET TO THE COLD SIDE” they are widely appreciated and have broad appeal.
The growth last year of “FUCK OFF JAPAN, LEAVE OUR WHALES ALONE!” was staggering, and was one of the Rudd government’s primary motivations for its strong stance at the International Convention in May.
But what are the big ones when it comes to worldwide activism on Facebook?
1. Reduce the Drinking Age to 18! - 82,009
2. Legalize Same-Sex Marriage - 81,516
3. Americans for Alternative Energy - 72,333
4. Support a Woman’s Right to Choose - 69,911
5. Support Stem Cell Research - 58,305
6. Abolish Abstinence Only Sex Education - 52,847
7. Government Religion = Disaster - 49,102
8. AIDS / HIV research - 26,819
9. Equal Rights for Gays - 24,912
10. Pro-Life - 22,699
There are others which are anti-Iraq or support refugees in Darfur, but few have links to websites which actually organise protests and demonstration. In a sense, they other Gen Y’s an avenue to display their social conscience without having to take any action to support their views.
Facebook Activism is a cop out. But it is also a reality.
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