PRESENTATION |
Saturday, 08.09.2018 10:30-11:20 Room A |
Like, sign & share - Is online activism killing the movement? |
Viktor Gebhart |
Why shall I stand outside in the cold/heat and protest fruitlessly, if I can save the world by a few clicks online? More and more people participate in online activism, trying to make the world a better place. One of the main topics: animal welfare. But online activism has become a well-known tool to address animal rights topics, as well. It seems to be a proven way for non-profits and advocacy groups to demonstrate support for the causes they care about and to gather their supporters. While the numbers of signatures, likes and shares seem to be rising, the numbers of offline protesters seem to be stagnating or even declining. This presentation wants to take a closer look at the disproportion of online and real life activism and prompt questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of "clicktivism". Is it productive or counterproductive? Is it leading to success or is it welcome by politics and economy as a useful tool to channel real resistance? So, is online activism benefiting or harming the movement? |