Facebook groups cannot save the world
Eve Samborn
Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: Forum
I've recently learned that I can join Facebook groups to ensure that a stranger will shave his head, a girl will make herself a sandwich, a man will kill his first-born child or a man will change his name to Homer Simpson. One group even guarantees that the Cubs will win the World Series if enough people join.
Apparently "If this group reaches 100,000 people" has become the new "when hell freezes over."
Sure, plenty of groups acknowledge how pointless they are, promising that nothing will happen if I join. What's troubling, however, is that these groups are merely parodies of groups that are serious about their ability to change the world.
I have no problem with Facebook. It's a great tool for staying in touch with old friends, spreading news of upcoming events, procrastinating when I should be writing essays and even raising awareness of a good cause. But Facebook is not enough.
Clicking on "Join this Group" informs others that you care about this cause. That's it. We cannot stop genocide though Facebook. We cannot fight AIDS. We cannot protest a war. We cannot change the outcome of a presidential election.
Activism requires more of us than a simple click of the mouse. The Internet does provide some valuable opportunities for activism. Online newspapers, respected blogs and candidate Web sites can supply information that is a crucial beginning to activism. Groups like Save Darfur and ONE send regular e-mail updates informing supporters of actions that can often be taken from the comfort of their laptops.
Yet that is still not enough. I know that Wash. U. students are caring and intelligent people with the potential to change the world. I challenge each of you to become more politically active.
Go to a campaign rally. Write a letter to Student Life or another newspaper. Call or write your representatives. Make phone calls or go door-to-door in support of a candidate.
Politics is only boring when you refuse to get involved. Reading the recent updates of how many Facebook users have joined your favorite group will never be exciting; attending a campaign event and listening to a presidential candidate speak in person is pretty cool.
The problems faced by our generation are real and significant. Our country is at war, our climate is changing and our budget deficit is increasing. We need to stop relying on our parents' generation to solve these problems for us; we are the ones who will face the consequences.
Ten years from now, what will you say about your response? "I tried to stop global warming by joining a Facebook group?"
Eve is a freshman in Arts & Sciences. She can be reached via e-mail at actorels@comcast.net.
Apparently "If this group reaches 100,000 people" has become the new "when hell freezes over."
Sure, plenty of groups acknowledge how pointless they are, promising that nothing will happen if I join. What's troubling, however, is that these groups are merely parodies of groups that are serious about their ability to change the world.
I have no problem with Facebook. It's a great tool for staying in touch with old friends, spreading news of upcoming events, procrastinating when I should be writing essays and even raising awareness of a good cause. But Facebook is not enough.
Clicking on "Join this Group" informs others that you care about this cause. That's it. We cannot stop genocide though Facebook. We cannot fight AIDS. We cannot protest a war. We cannot change the outcome of a presidential election.
Activism requires more of us than a simple click of the mouse. The Internet does provide some valuable opportunities for activism. Online newspapers, respected blogs and candidate Web sites can supply information that is a crucial beginning to activism. Groups like Save Darfur and ONE send regular e-mail updates informing supporters of actions that can often be taken from the comfort of their laptops.
Yet that is still not enough. I know that Wash. U. students are caring and intelligent people with the potential to change the world. I challenge each of you to become more politically active.
Go to a campaign rally. Write a letter to Student Life or another newspaper. Call or write your representatives. Make phone calls or go door-to-door in support of a candidate.
Politics is only boring when you refuse to get involved. Reading the recent updates of how many Facebook users have joined your favorite group will never be exciting; attending a campaign event and listening to a presidential candidate speak in person is pretty cool.
The problems faced by our generation are real and significant. Our country is at war, our climate is changing and our budget deficit is increasing. We need to stop relying on our parents' generation to solve these problems for us; we are the ones who will face the consequences.
Ten years from now, what will you say about your response? "I tried to stop global warming by joining a Facebook group?"
Eve is a freshman in Arts & Sciences. She can be reached via e-mail at actorels@comcast.net.
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