I have no money left to donate. I donate to several causes. I donate my time most of all.
Good causes need sustainability. They need to provide support to families, much more than just doing research.
Showing posts with label slacktivism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label slacktivism. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 August 2014
Slacktivism is a horrible disease - why the Ice Bucket Challenge is wrong
Does this ever make me mad. ALS Canada has taken down its information site to provide quick links to the Ice Bucket Challenge. I have a client with ALS, whose symptoms are worsening. I want to learn more about this disease to prove better respite care. What are they thinking? This hijacking is awful. It's slacktivism at its worst.
I have no money left to donate. I donate to several causes. I donate my time most of all.
Good causes need sustainability. They need to provide support to families, much more than just doing research.
I have no money left to donate. I donate to several causes. I donate my time most of all.
Good causes need sustainability. They need to provide support to families, much more than just doing research.
Monday, 5 December 2011
Twitter ads – save me
I have a Twitter account. I believe in social networking. Not that I have much to market, and I don't play well with others, but I like keeping in touch, especially during those cold, frozen Muskoka winters, like Snowmageddon in Dec., 2009 (we had 60 cm of snow, other parts had 100+ cm). The Internet, specifically Twitter, kept me in touch with our recent federal, and more recent provincial election.
When turkeys fly from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Twitter is desperate to make money. I can understand it. The only reason Facebook exists now is to make money. Same with YouTube. I've since gone over to Vimeo, where I can control more of the content.
There are two ways to make a profit through Twitter.
Firstly, self-promoted, paid-for ads like this:
See the orange arrow?
"Promoted by" Official AARP Tweets.
I do NOT follow AARP. Firstly, it is the American Association of Retired Persons. But I can't block the ads. They are a pretty right-wing group, that engages in self-promotion: white, upper-middle class Tea Party afficionados. They have a Canadian group affiliate, which publishes US data, and the data simply doesn't apply in my three areas of interest: healthcare (a totally different US system from Canada), education (ditto) and politics (circle of influence).
The Canadian CARP, pretty much seems to flog itself, and it is owned by the Zoomer media group. A for-profit conglomerate owned by Moses Znaimer. This doesn't bother me, except that they engage in self-promotion and much government lobbying, while claiming that CARP is non-profit.
Back to Twitter...
The 2nd way individuals make money off of Twitter, is by being paid to pretend to be a real person and selling things. There are ubiquitous, no-name, tweets by people who do not self-identify. Companies have become smart and hire people to send out tweets on their company's behalf. Pretending to have found a terrific 'new' product or services.
This is pretty sad. Here is a great graphic, a timeline of the advertising Twitter began:
Healthcare
The worst is in my area of advocacy: senior healthcare. Many self-promote by posting tweets about dire data, especially US-based healthcare insurance companies, or for-profit retirement homes, home care services, who are simply not unbiased in promoting their services to those with money. I tend not to follow those whose identities I cannot determine.
For more reading on big name stores:
Advertising Laws
The law says, in both the US and Canada, that if you are posting an ad, you must say so.
One of the CBC shows I follow is "The Age of Persuasion": and they then wrote a book, "The Age of Persuasion: How Marketing Ate Our Culture" Plus they have a good reading list on advertising.
An interesting show if you want to know more about how advertisers suck you in. When I taught media literacy to my gr. 8s, this would have been an effective tool.
From an advertising lawyer:
The misleading advertising laws apply to "any" vehicle used to promote a product, no matter how minor in nature the promotional vehicle is.
The Canadian Code of Advertising Standards is clear. Even disguised advertising techniques are specifically addressed. Canadian consumers can and should submit complaints.
Movember
Advertising campaigns are taking into account the impact of Twitter. In fact, many of the fundraisers are doing so, too. Take the Movember campaign. On December 1st, there were a huge number of special galas for those who raised a significant chunk of change. This bothers me, as there is no information I can find on how much of there money actually goes to prostate research or services.
The Movember hashtag (#Movember) garnered a lot of attention, and managed to get a lot of men to encourage friends and family to contribute to the Movember fundraising. I don't know where the money goes. The Movember webiste is a bit vague. I believe this is slacktavism at best, and a waste of money at its worst, but there is no accountability for the money.
I tweeted, after listening to someone speaking of a party they attended with their boyfriend:
#Movember = December 1st: a series of GALA PARTÉS - is this where the money raised for cancer goes?
Yup. They sponsored big parties for those who raised big funds. Where is the accountability for such?
When turkeys fly from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Twitter is desperate to make money. I can understand it. The only reason Facebook exists now is to make money. Same with YouTube. I've since gone over to Vimeo, where I can control more of the content.
There are two ways to make a profit through Twitter.Firstly, self-promoted, paid-for ads like this:
"Promoted by" Official AARP Tweets.
I do NOT follow AARP. Firstly, it is the American Association of Retired Persons. But I can't block the ads. They are a pretty right-wing group, that engages in self-promotion: white, upper-middle class Tea Party afficionados. They have a Canadian group affiliate, which publishes US data, and the data simply doesn't apply in my three areas of interest: healthcare (a totally different US system from Canada), education (ditto) and politics (circle of influence).
The Canadian CARP, pretty much seems to flog itself, and it is owned by the Zoomer media group. A for-profit conglomerate owned by Moses Znaimer. This doesn't bother me, except that they engage in self-promotion and much government lobbying, while claiming that CARP is non-profit.
Back to Twitter...The 2nd way individuals make money off of Twitter, is by being paid to pretend to be a real person and selling things. There are ubiquitous, no-name, tweets by people who do not self-identify. Companies have become smart and hire people to send out tweets on their company's behalf. Pretending to have found a terrific 'new' product or services.
This is pretty sad. Here is a great graphic, a timeline of the advertising Twitter began:
The History of Advertising on Twitter [INFOGRAPHIC]
mashable.com/2011/05/26/twitter-advertising-infographic/
 | by Todd Wasserman - 26 May 2011 – Twitter has to make money somehow, and it won't be by charging for access. Here's an infographic explaining Twitter's foray into advertising. |
Healthcare
The worst is in my area of advocacy: senior healthcare. Many self-promote by posting tweets about dire data, especially US-based healthcare insurance companies, or for-profit retirement homes, home care services, who are simply not unbiased in promoting their services to those with money. I tend not to follow those whose identities I cannot determine.
For more reading on big name stores:
Zellers is Killing Itself to Live on Social Media
Advertising Laws
The law says, in both the US and Canada, that if you are posting an ad, you must say so.
One of the CBC shows I follow is "The Age of Persuasion": and they then wrote a book, "The Age of Persuasion: How Marketing Ate Our Culture" Plus they have a good reading list on advertising.
An interesting show if you want to know more about how advertisers suck you in. When I taught media literacy to my gr. 8s, this would have been an effective tool.
From an advertising lawyer:
The misleading advertising laws apply to "any" vehicle used to promote a product, no matter how minor in nature the promotional vehicle is.
The Canadian Code of Advertising Standards is clear. Even disguised advertising techniques are specifically addressed. Canadian consumers can and should submit complaints.
Movember
 |
| Slactivisim? |
The Movember hashtag (#Movember) garnered a lot of attention, and managed to get a lot of men to encourage friends and family to contribute to the Movember fundraising. I don't know where the money goes. The Movember webiste is a bit vague. I believe this is slacktavism at best, and a waste of money at its worst, but there is no accountability for the money.
I tweeted, after listening to someone speaking of a party they attended with their boyfriend:
Yup. They sponsored big parties for those who raised big funds. Where is the accountability for such?
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Slacktivism vs. making a difference
Slacktivism (sometimes slactivism or clicktivism) is a portmanteau formed out of the words slacker and activism. The word is usually considered a pejorative term that describes "feel-good" measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing it feel satisfaction. The acts tend to require minimal personal effort from the slacktivist.
'Walk for the cure', as if walking will do anything. Those who participate believe they are 'raising awareness'. As if no one has been aware of cancer before? They suck friends into donating.
"It is always with the best intentions that the worst work is done," observed Oscar Wilde.
Unfortunately, these fundraisers have high overhead costs, and much of the money goes into administration, rather than research.
I know where my time and energy goes: directly to a human being. There is so much to having direct services.
That is my preference, especially with the Pink Ribbon, Inc. machine that has hijacked the cancer cause. Even the Cancer Society has highjacked Jack Layton's death to promote their 'fight against cancer'. His loss is their gain.
Not all my hospice clients see themselves as victims. They see themselves as people who need someone. And we get so much back from helping another person.
If you do not donate, click on the button, sign the petition, 'friends' feel you do not care. I'm tired of my 'friends' who are actually causes. People looking for press for their cause.
Then there are the discussions that range from bizarre to ignorant. Hijacking a cause for marketing purposes, or comments that are off-track, off-topic, or worse, selling something. Purported horror stories that convince us of a horrible wrong. There are three sides to everything: theirs, theirs, and the truth.
Then there are the ubiquitous Facebook groups:
| Facebook
I support Jack Layton in his fight against Cancer - Showing our support for Jack Layton | Facebook.
As if joining a group like this something will be done. The caregivers and care recipients are busy working hard.
We know how to change our lives to prevent some cancers: eat well, fresh foods, mostly plants; exercise, keep your weight down; reduce salt intake, but no one is immune. Marathon runners have heart attacks. We don't know why the body breaks down.
But it does.
In fact, the title of this post -- "Slacktivism or Activism" -- is the title of a panel I'm sitting on this weekend at American University's Social Learning Summit.
28 Apr 2010 – But aren't online petitions still just "slacktivism"? Let's look at ... Bottom line, the assumptions behind "slacktivism" are just plain wrong.
8 Oct 2010 – This ridiculous campaign is only the latest example of "slacktivism," and ... The problem with slacktivism is it makes people feel they've made a difference.
 |
| Dancing to the music |
"It is always with the best intentions that the worst work is done," observed Oscar Wilde.
Unfortunately, these fundraisers have high overhead costs, and much of the money goes into administration, rather than research.
I know where my time and energy goes: directly to a human being. There is so much to having direct services.
That is my preference, especially with the Pink Ribbon, Inc. machine that has hijacked the cancer cause. Even the Cancer Society has highjacked Jack Layton's death to promote their 'fight against cancer'. His loss is their gain.
Not all my hospice clients see themselves as victims. They see themselves as people who need someone. And we get so much back from helping another person.
If you do not donate, click on the button, sign the petition, 'friends' feel you do not care. I'm tired of my 'friends' who are actually causes. People looking for press for their cause.
Then there are the discussions that range from bizarre to ignorant. Hijacking a cause for marketing purposes, or comments that are off-track, off-topic, or worse, selling something. Purported horror stories that convince us of a horrible wrong. There are three sides to everything: theirs, theirs, and the truth.
Then there are the ubiquitous Facebook groups:
I support Jack Layton in his fight against Cancer
I support Jack Layton in his fight against Cancer - Showing our support for Jack Layton | Facebook.
 |
| Wii bowling |
We know how to change our lives to prevent some cancers: eat well, fresh foods, mostly plants; exercise, keep your weight down; reduce salt intake, but no one is immune. Marathon runners have heart attacks. We don't know why the body breaks down.
But it does.
Facebook mobilizes masses - but what for? - The Globe and Mail
7 Dec 2009 – It's called "slacktivism," and it runs rampant on social media. And for good reason. ... Because what drives slacktivism is mostly ego.
Slacktivism
or activism on Facebook? - USATODAY.com
In fact, the title of this post -- "Slacktivism or Activism" -- is the title of a panel I'm sitting on this weekend at American University's Social Learning Summit.
Slacktivism: Why Snopes got it Wrong About Internet Petitions
...
 |
| Concert in long-term care |
CBC.ca | Day 6 | Sophie Kohn: Disliking
Slacktivism
8 Oct 2010 – This ridiculous campaign is only the latest example of "slacktivism," and ... The problem with slacktivism is it makes people feel they've made a difference.
No Slacktivism Here - The Agenda - The Agenda Blogs - Steve Paikin
25 Jan 2010 – After all, "slacktivism" is all the rage these days, with many pundits looking skeptically at the "commitment" it takes to click your disapproval.
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