Slacktivism: The Subtle Art of Appearing to Give a F*ck
“I love fake people provided they are mannequins.” With all the energy into the art of appearing to give a F*ck, why not just give a F*ck?
“I love fake people provided they are mannequins.”
―Pushpa Rana
When an elderly person trips and falls on the ground, then ten busy folks walk past the ordeal only to ask other nearby slacker activists if she is okay. Yet, the person across the street comes to the lady’s rescue. Can you guess who the slacktivists are? Slacktivism is the subtle art of appearing to give a F*ck.
Or how about when a sick child sits in the hospital, and their life is in the balance? However, only the parents are there in this desperate time of need. Slacktivists often emerge online, hiding behind electronic “thoughts and prayers” for the world to see. When instead, these real-life slackers should be at the hospital in-person surrounding the child with familiar faces and supporting the parents.
Here’s another example: How about when a car drives off the road and crashes into a tree? Why do several witnesses keep going about their day before someone finally stops and helps the person in the crashed car? Some people may even pull over to capture the event on video, then post it to Social Media.
These bad News Reporters stick around merely to capture someone suffering in their darkest moment. Instead of lending a hand, they film others taking action. The priority of recording video even becomes more important than calling 911 for fear they may miss that “viral” moment. This performer eventually asks if the person is okay, capturing that question on video as well, only for the world to hear just how much they care. All while their hands are on the phone instead of helping save a life.
Meanwhile, additional drivers continue on by snapping photos, then sharing online while “asking for thoughts and prayers for whoever’s in that smashed car.” Followed with concerned commentary, “OMG! Did you stop and help?” And replies such as, “No, someone else already stopped.”
Another example would be the initial online support for Ukraine shortly after Russia invaded their country in early 2022. People worldwide changed their profile pictures on Social Media displaying the yellow and blue Ukraine flag. Others wrote about the atrocity online and sent out their virtual thoughts and prayers to all the Ukrainians. All while the Ukrainians fled their homes seeking refuge. Likely, most Ukrainians didn’t hear the message over the bomb blasts and gunfire — deafening sounds as the Russians destroyed everything they knew and loved their entire lives. Regardless, did any of this slacktivism help the situation in Ukraine? Today, the war continues. On the other hand, the public outcry has nearly disappeared.
Although, most individuals could never physically help Ukrainians. And while solidarity is a prudent approach, it then lies on the leaders to offer real-life support. But then the leaders are guilty of slacktivism during an international travesty when they take no action. In contrast, when leaders fund global distress and then get opposition from taxpayers, should we blame the President?
So where does that leave the hypocritical, patriotic, taxpaying slacker activists? You know. The ones with a Ukraine flag on the same pole as the “Let’s Go Brandon” flag. This stellar performing citizen also sent out digital thoughts and prayers to Ukraine from afar. Yet the same ‘oxymoron’ still complains about Biden sending tax dollar support Ukraine desperately needs? Such a person deserves an Oscar for their incredible performance.
Nonetheless, the example demonstrates that citizens can also be guilty of slacktivism after worldwide mayhem, especially when appeals for help contradict the objections against them. Performances that come from the same Academy Award Winning “slacktors.”
It’s a safe assumption that most slactivists don’t actually pray for those they claim to think about. With all the energy put into the subtle art of appearing to give a F*ck, why not just give a F*ck? Lastly, giving a damn takes less time and effort than being fake. And more respectfully, not giving a F*ck requires absolutely no effort. So why be a slacktivist at all?