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Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the UK?

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:11 pm
by wub
Taking to the streets in the Ukraine vs. clicking 'Like' or signing an online petition. One seems a lot more viable than the other.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:15 pm
by m8son666
Yes, especially when nothing 'massively' bad is happening to us, there is no real motivation to take to the streets properly (I don't mean marching around for a couple of hours with a stupid sign) and risk arrest or death imo.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:16 pm
by wub
m8son wrote:Yes, especially when nothing 'massively' bad is happening to us, there is no real motivation to take to the streets properly (I don't mean marching around for a couple of hours with a stupid sign) and risk arrest or death imo.
What would constitute 'massively bad', to make you take to the streets?

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:22 pm
by m8son666
Conscription lol.

Nah I dunno i think it would have to be something incredibly bad for me to ever 'take to the streets' cos i'm too apathetic. But i guess i really mean something that would affect the people who are in more of a position to protest i.e reasonably well off students. Or if the police started killing people or something. The prospective change or whats happening would have to be more negative to people than losing their jobs/going to prison, which to be honest i don't see happening anytime soon.

What do you think?

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:24 pm
by Pedro Sánchez
m8son wrote:risk arrest or death imo.
Would that not constitute as' massively bad' in your books? The fact that you would be arrested, beaten or even worse for taking a stand against things you consider wrong your country.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:25 pm
by magma
1. We're two years on from the worst riots in living memory.
2. I've been on two protests already this year.
3. Slacktivism gets people informed and involved in a form of protest (however toothless) that wouldn't normally bother to turn up to a march at all... that can only be a good thing.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:27 pm
by Forum
If you look at the London riots...

Only a few people need to really care deep down about the original issue, the rest just get swept along for the ride

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:30 pm
by m8son666
Pedro Sánchez wrote:Would that not constitute as' massively bad' in your books? The fact that you would be arrested, beaten or even worse for taking a stand against things you consider wrong your country.
Perhaps, my point is that if you were to protest against it you would have to consider getting it changed would be more important than your freedom/life.

Do you think the people causing massive damage in Ukraine, for example, shouldn't be arrested?

Yeah i wouldn't call the London riots a protest, perhaps it started as one but quickly turned into a riot where people just wanted to join in and/or get a new telly.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:30 pm
by Pedro Sánchez
Wait until them nice new water cannons get the green light, things will then get turned up a level.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:32 pm
by Pedro Sánchez
m8son wrote:Do you think the people causing massive damage in Ukraine, for example, shouldn't be arrested?
If you wanna make an omelet you have to break a few eggs

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:33 pm
by magma
Quite... it's tough to keep a physical protest on message. At least when you keep it digital, your message doesn't keep getting diluted by people who are out with their mates for a ruck in the sunshine. I once went on a march protesting Israeli actions in Lebanon and had to leave when the leaders got everyone chanting "We are all Anti War, We are all Hezbollah!" :roll:

A great deal of the time when anyone takes to the streets they get dismissed as crusties and troublemakers. That's been the case at least since I was a kid and swampy was blocking the Newbury Bypass.

Protest of all forms has its benefits and drawbacks. But I sincerely doubt the British public have anything they need to be rioting on a Ukraine level about. It's a slightly different kettle of fish to Student Fees.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:35 pm
by wub
magma wrote:1. We're two years on from the worst riots in living memory.
2. I've been on two protests already this year.
3. Slacktivism gets people informed and involved in a form of protest (however toothless) that wouldn't normally bother to turn up to a march at all... that can only be a good thing.

Were the riots actually about something for anyone other than maybe a few people in North London, or was it mostly just urban yoot out on the rob from JJB?

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:35 pm
by wub
southstar wrote:Only a few people need to really care deep down about the original issue, the rest just get swept along for the ride
The Deep House of social unrest.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:37 pm
by m8son666
Pedro Sánchez wrote:
m8son wrote:Do you think the people causing massive damage in Ukraine, for example, shouldn't be arrested?
If you wanna make an omelet you have to break a few eggs
Where do you draw the line though? If someone thinks they are paying too much rent and they go firebomb the estate agent should they not be arrested?

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:37 pm
by m8son666
What do you think wub? Or once again are you gonna avoid giving your opinion? lol

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:38 pm
by wub
m8son wrote:
Pedro Sánchez wrote:
m8son wrote:Do you think the people causing massive damage in Ukraine, for example, shouldn't be arrested?
If you wanna make an omelet you have to break a few eggs
Where do you draw the line though? If someone thinks they are paying too much rent and they go firebomb the estate agent should they not be arrested?
Hold up...if you're paying too much rent, move somewhere cheaper. I can't afford a Koenigsegg, doesn't mean I'm putting a brick through the dealership window.
magma wrote:Protest of all forms has its benefits and drawbacks. But I sincerely doubt the British public have anything they need to be rioting on a Ukraine level about. It's a slightly different kettle of fish to Student Fees.
Too many people thinking that Tweeting/sharing is "doing their part" though.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:40 pm
by m8son666
wub wrote:Hold up...if you're paying too much rent, move somewhere cheaper. I can't afford a Koenigsegg, doesn't mean I'm putting a brick through the dealership window.
I agree, also: If you don't like the country you live in move to a better one. If you don't get paid enough get a better job.

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:42 pm
by wub
magma wrote: I've been on two protests already this year.
Which were?

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:42 pm
by Forum
m8son wrote:
wub wrote:Hold up...if you're paying too much rent, move somewhere cheaper. I can't afford a Koenigsegg, doesn't mean I'm putting a brick through the dealership window.
I agree, also: If you don't like the country you live in move to a better one.
You're the one bigging up ukip and saying immigration should be cut :lol:

Re: Is Slacktivism becoming the norm for protesting in the U

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:42 pm
by Pedro Sánchez
m8son wrote:
Pedro Sánchez wrote:
m8son wrote:Do you think the people causing massive damage in Ukraine, for example, shouldn't be arrested?
If you wanna make an omelet you have to break a few eggs
Where do you draw the line though? If someone thinks they are paying too much rent and they go firebomb the estate agent should they not be arrested?
Well no :lol: but I think when the police are being overly heavy handed (which has always been the case in the few protests I've been on that got out of hand) you have to push back and protect yourself, physical violence should always be the last resort to anything.