I was involved in activism against the shell multinational which was participating in offshore drilling in my country without any of the benefits being reaped by our state, and also drifted in and out of the occupy movement.

While it was somewhat satisfying, its quite hard to relax in such environments where people are real riled up.

The question continually arises in my mind whether there's any use in trying to change the way society is. I'm beginning to think I can only effectively change myself.

What does the Tao say?

Some kind of Eastern thing?

I think we should participate in activism when it's not too exhausting. For example, running out and protesting with a sign outside a building with everybody yelling and screaming and being well, undude, that's exhausting. Of course if the atmosphere was more dude then it might be ok. But boycotting a product, service, or company, because you want to protest their wrongdoings isn't exhausting at all. In fact, it's an example of wu wei (doing by not doing). I myself protest against Microsoft and Apple by using Ubuntu (http://ubuntu.com) and Android for my PC and Phone OSs, and against the Federal Reserve by using Bitcoins (http://weusecoins.com). Yes I know I'm a computer geek but the idea can be used by anyone for anything else you want to protest. Just boycott them and use better alternatives. I think the Dude would think that's far out.

What does the Tao say?

Chapter 55

I attract the cooperative power of the Tao
when I release the need to control anyone's life,
including my own.

from my android Tao Te Ching app.

Slacktivism dude. Wave of the future.

Fuckin' eh.

So a great example of Slacktivism is the "Iran loves Israel", "Israel loves Iran"campaign on Facebook. As the fucking fascists on both sides have upped the war rhetoric, these dudes have organized online meet ups etc for the purpose of helping Israelis and Iranians meet face to face. The latest is a series of photos of normal folks from each country with "not ready to die for your war" written on them. Slacktivism, sometimes in order to stop a war, all you have to be ready to do is Not be willing to die face down in the muck.

Slacktivism huh? That's fucking interesting man. That's fucking interesting. I think it's exactly like what I said earlier about being an activist without trying so hard. I like the name of it. I like it's style.