Hey Raena - Latest Comments in Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

Ryan — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:00:45 -0000

Interesting and thoughtful, but I totally disagree. If people feel better about themselves for doing an arguably meaningless act (which seems to be what you’re getting at), there is no harm- some good might even happen as a result.

Simple acts like this spread awareness. Would you criticize (I realize that probably isn’t the right word) people for putting up yellow ribbons for lost soldiers? What does wearing a pink shirt and walking for three days actually do? The money might have a direct impact but I would not agree that the walking serves no purpose and doesn’t “help”. A moment of silence? The reading of an Amber Alert sign?

If we had twitter and facebook in 1994 perhaps 60 million profiles shaded red might have raised awareness and encouraged decisive actions against the Rwandan genocide. Maybe not.

For me, the chance that through the constant scrolling of twitter updates around the world that my profile is viewed by someone directly affected in Iran, outweighs any negative thoughts of me not really doing anything.

I’ve had people ask me why my profile is shaded green. That alone tells me it truly is serving a purpose. I’m rarely asked what I think about democracy in Iran.

You call it slacktivism. I call it a voice, a part of a louder voice, and that is really what democracy is all about!
Good talk!

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

Raena — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:52:13 -0000

I really don't agree that your *only* two options are to colour an icon and fly to Iran to chuck bottles at the Government.

Is it really so hard to muster up the words to have an original thought of our own? Surely that shows more evidence of our passion, interest, support, and concern than chucking our avatars at a webapp?

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

someToast — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:47:59 -0000

It reminds me of this cartoon on "Levels of Commitment" from '04, when ribbon magnets were all the rage.

http://allsmall.net/as753.htm

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

Leah Cross — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:14:29 -0000

The green hue is like those charity wristbands that were popular a few years ago, by wearing them, you weren't changing the world, or making poverty history, but what you were doing, is showing that you care, showing your support for the cause.

I would agree, that most of twitter would like to think that by changing their avatar to lime that they've played an important part in the revolution, but realistically, we all know that's not true.

When you're on the other side of the world and you want to show your support, the green hue is the easy option, the other being, boarding a plane and fighting alongside the Iranians, and if we can't be bothered to even colour the avatars ourselves, I can't see that's very likely.

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

Raena — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:56:44 -0000

If it's made a genuine difference to someone you know, then awesome sauce; and if it makes a deep difference to you, double sauce.

I'll punt on you being in quite a small minority, though.

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

dragonfly — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:51:41 -0000

I'm skeptical about what it does other than solidarity/providing more numbers for the talking heads to wax lyrical about "the twitter revolution". Good publicity for twitter though......and

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

Disgruntled Recipient — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:29:13 -0000

It is, on one hand, an easy way for people to say, "OMG LOOK I AM MARGINALLY AWARE OF THE WORLD!" However, advertising why I'm doing it isn't any better than complaining about why others are doing it. It's very, very personal to me and it made a difference to the once person who needed it to make a difference. Plus, my baby photo looks sexy covered in mint jelly.

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

Stephen Michael Kellat — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:15:41 -0000

One of my network's producers would give you an "amen" on this one. I agree with much of what you say, too.

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

DrCris — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:11:24 -0000

Niice. I was wondering how much anyone who can make a difference cares that some random people there have a green avatar. I always had enough trouble believing that Amnesty made a difference, except now I can imagine the irritation of bagsful of mail landing on your desk.

Re: Hey Raena - Green Avatars for Iran: An Exercise in Slacktivism

Sabrestyle — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:09:49 -0000

I now need a slacktivism badge on my Twitter avatar! [rushes off]