Mia Lucci

ENG 110

Jesse Miller

27 November 2023

The Downfall of Activism

Activism is defined as the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. These days people use social media as a platform of spreading awareness and making a difference. Some people may argue that actions taken today should not be considered activism when giving thought to past forms and events. From sit-ins to rallies and protests, people took charge to fight for what they believed while people today simply sign a petition online from the comfort of their bed and call it a “movement.” Malcolm Gladwell’s essay “Small Change” discusses the contrast of today’s activism versus that of the past. In a similar way, Sherry Turkle talks about online versus face-to-face conflicts, and the effect of modern technology on our conversation in her essay “The Empathy Diaries”. Activism through today’s measures is not the true meaning of activism, but is merely a lazy attempt to gain attention or make change without having to go out of one’s way.

The execution of old activism has gone out the window and has turned to signing anonymous petitions. As the world becomes drawn to technology, activism in our lives becomes digital much like everything else. These petitions are shared through various social media platforms, but the real question is: Are they effective? Gladwell brings up the term “strong-tie phenomena” (Gladwell 6), and “weak-tie phenomena” (Gladwell 7). This strong-tie refers to the thought that old activism was achieved through word of mouth and the more friends that an individual had within the cause, the more likely they were to join in on the movement. Meanwhile, weak-ties refers to today’s era of activism. This is where everything is spread through a post on social media between acquaintances. It is possible that a person can have over 1000 “friends” within a platform that will be able to interact with the cause. In this he is claiming that there is a vast difference between old ways of activism and the new ways. He believes that this “weak ties seldom lead to high risk activism” (Gladwell 7). I believe this to only be partially true, for although more people will gain the knowledge of the issue and could attract large involvement to the point that it becomes high-risk activism, it is greatly possible that individuals will scroll past without a second thought. However, due to the fact that almost everything online has the opportunity to be anonymous with someone hidden behind a screen, this could lead to harsher arguments because people are more willing to be bold with their words when there is not a name attached to their identity. Turkle provides an interesting perspective on online disputes that backs up this thought. She says, “…I hear families say they air their differences on email to avoid face-to-face conflict.” This has become normal these days. People would rather hide behind a screen to argue than settling something in person even if they are as close as family. This is the same situation for activism. Many would prefer to hide behind a screen to fight than stand up and make their points in person as if they are scared or maybe just too unmotivated to do so.

Individuals will not join in on activism unless they are passionate about the topic, but many also seem afraid that it will become a riot. Gladwell tried to use the argument of “strong-tie phenomena” in the sense that more friends make it more likely to join because it spreads by word of mouth. However, Turkle brings up the perspective that people will only talk about what they want to. She states “They allow themselves to be vulnerable. They are fully present and open to where things might go…It was a question people wanted to answer” (Turkle 347). People get excited and more willing to talk about topics they are passionate about, this is what truly drives individuals to take action on topics that require activism. Even so, it is rare that people will take charge and organize any sort of protest or other “high risk activism.” Rather they will create a petition and look for signatures. This way they are hidden behind a screen and prevent themselves from being vulnerable and subject to conflict. Many will rarely even go door-to-door anymore out of fear that someone else will not align with their views. It is as if they have the fear of rejection. If activism were to happen in person rather than over the internet, it is still possible for it to remain civil. It is not required for protests to be aggressive and argumentative, rather entirely possible for it to be a conversation. Turkle uses an example from a class setting in which “conversations with a good teacher communicate that learning isn’t all about the answers. It’s about what the answers mean” (Turkle 347). Using this idea, it is entirely possible to settle opinionated subjects by sharing ideas. There is no saying that it is a requirement for an argumentative conversation to arise when explaining differing perspectives, but it can open up a conversation. “I understand what you are saying, but THIS is why I believe something else.” It seems simple enough, it is all just about the execution. Going door to door does not mean there will be arguments, but rather the experience to gain other perspectives and broaden your outlook.

People will do anything to gain attention these days and love to be noticed which makes it surprising that they would not be willing to do more for activism. Signing a petition anonymously does not gain any sort of attention to themselves except for when they repost it on a social media platform, and even then there is no say as to whether others will click on it or view it. Many will only do it if it gains them some sort of recognition. Gladwell discusses a situation where an individual was in need of bone marrow. After a simple post online, “nearly twenty-five thousand new people were registered in the bone-marrow database…” People are more inclined to do this for the fact that it is a good deed and will gain them recognition. Gladwell states, “In fact, it’s the kind of commitment that will bring only social acknowledgement and praise.” Being the center of attention is a hope that most people have even if it is only for a brief moment of time. People want to be known as a good person and this is the best possible way to do so. After doing a good deed, people love to post about it on social media as much as possible whether it is trash pickup or redoing a garden for the nearest church. Turkle says, “Why not focus on the positive…We like to hear these positive stories because they do not discourage us in our pursuit of the new…” (Turkle 349). People would rather hear the positive stories than the negative in order to create a sense of happiness. On the other hand, people love to share positive stories and pictures because they want their lives to seem better and more exciting than they are in reality. This in return gains them the positive comments and feedback about how great they are doing and how great their life is which gives them the validation they are craving. This is how “activism” through social media gets people. They feel good about themselves and don’t feel the need to go out and do more for the cause because that positive feeling is enough for them to think they have made positive change. This is ultimately what led to the downfall of true activism. 

Activism today is strictly executed through technology unlike the past when people would join a movement to make change. There is a vast difference in the effectiveness of these methods. It is difficult to go unnoticed when people are visible in public no matter how calm or aggressive they are. Through technology, it is much easier to ignore what is happening and press a “do not show similar items in this feed” button. It would take much more effort to make change through technology. Even sites like “CHNGE” that advertise all over instagram and other popular apps becomes forgotten until the next ad pops up. Activism has turned from a movement for good to a chance for attention and in today’s terms should not even make a close consideration to the true definition of activism.   

Works Cited

Gladwell, Malcolm. Small Changes. The New Yorker, 2010

Turkle, Sherry. The Empathy Diaries. Penguin Press, 2021.