Slacktivism and city planning

Interesting articles by Foreign Policy and the Globe and Mail and a segment on CBC’s Spark tackle the issue of slacktivism:

“[A]n apt term to describe feel-good online activism that has zero political or social impact. It gives those who participate in "slacktivist" campaigns an illusion of having a meaningful impact on the world without demanding anything more than joining a Facebook group.”

I have turned down several (possibly dozens) of Facebook group invitations that basically ask for members to state opposition or support simply by clicking and forgetting (Popeil activism might be another apt term).

Still, I don’t think that all Facebook activism is intrinsically ‘path of least resistance’ community engagement.  I see Facebook as a good starting place and meeting place for local planning and development issues.

Facebook has played a role in gathering support for alterations to the original North of Union project proposed by the city.  Community members concerned about Tannery Court have exchanged ideas and plans on Facebook and on blogs. 

As I’ve posted before municipal officials and planners are wise to become and remain aware of online activism as a means of communicating with and, most importantly, hearing from citizens on issues impacting our communities.