What is “Armchair Activism?
Armchair Activism refers to the enthusiastic and often exclusive use of e-mail to rally others around a cause because of the medium’s speed and reach. Most people who forward e-petitions and other calls for help mostly do so because it is easy. If their participation required more effort – say, copying and distributing paper fliers, going door-to-door to gather signatures, attending rallies, etc. – they most likely would ignore the cause. E-mail petitions are not nearly as effective as grassroots campaigns and letters to congressmen. But they are a lot easier and can be done from the comfort of our homes and, yes, our armchairs. Thus we’re more likely to participate, even when we’re not particularly passionate (or convinced) about the cause. The less effort involved, the more we are willing to take on faith.
