Originally Posted by Pedestrian

I think that doing fuck all and believing you are a hero is even worse than apathy, and if this is the way activism is headed, society is just as fucked as if it didn't know or care. Watching a video is not activism. Posting a status is not activism. Formulating an opinion through second-hand information and social propaganda is not activism.

I respect the hell out of anyone who makes an informed effort towards positive change, but I have nothing but contempt for most of these piggybackers. That's why there is backlash over these issues. It's not because we skeptics are selfish or against change, it's because facebook-activism makes a travesty of humanitarian work.

If someone could show me that five million facebook updates made a real impact, not just a sanctimonious public scene, I would put both my feet in my mouth on the spot, but I see no reason to be optimistic about change based on a viral video.