As Strong as Our Signal

This week’s featured post from the Civil Society Zine is Mana Mostatabi’s As Strong as Our Signal, which looks at the clicktivism phenomenon. Online petitions and letter writing campaigns make it easier for more people to take action in support of a cause, but what’s next? The author asks us all to think of ways of transforming clicktivists to sticktivists. Social movements can last lifetimes no matter how clear the justice of a particular cause may be. How do we do what it takes to sustain movements?

Mana takes a look at social networking in the wake of the flawed 2009 presidential election in Iran and the resulting uprisings:

Social media’s kinetic energy became more apparent after the 2009 election – it wasn’t invented because of it. Iranian activists have long used internet platforms to engage, discuss, and organize; to petition and further their goals, aspirations, and demands; and to disseminate information and offer the Iranian people an alternative to the State’s propaganda machines.

She also presents a number of examples, including the use of internet technology by the Million Signatures Campaign and the use of Second Life to host virtual events and take action.

It’s a good read. And one that demands thought and conversation.