— Musings —05.03.2016 10:22 AM
When social media becomes an excuse
Talk minus action equals zero, sayeth DOA.
It's no revelation, but man: hashtags provide people with the false conviction that they're actually doing something.
— Warren Kinsella (@kinsellawarren) May 3, 2016
As someone who uses hashtags on social media for causes, I tend to use them only in the wake of an action. If I’ve made a donation to a charity like Heart & Stroke, that’s where I’d do it–especially tomorrow is the #BigBikeRide and I’ve supported my wife’s participation in said event.
But unless there’s an action already undertaken, or a pledge to take some action, posting up a hashtag is kinda like a Share on a Facebook post stating that if this page gets 10,000 Likes, an unhealthy young child will get a heart transplant. Because, y’know, doctors base their moral necessities on Facebook shares.