It’s hard to argue the importance of social media in changing the political world as we speak. Not only
For good or bad, it’s a way people are becoming accustomed to getting their news and interacting with each other about politics. And Facebook, one of the key sites which people use to engage in this kind of conversation – wants to actually try and put a positive spin on the political angle through a new feature called Community Actions (as reported in TechCrunch) which will allow users to notify their local officials of actions that they’d like to see happen
The new feature is first being rolled out to residents of the United States tomorrow where people will be able to create a petition, tag relevant public officials or organizations, and get their friends to support their cause. Supporters for any given petition will be able to discuss the topic with fellow supporters on the page, and will also be able to create events and fundraisers.
It’s a noble idea to help generate some positive interaction between elected officials and their constituents, but one that you just know I going to be quickly abused by the masses of the internet and instead of seeing a lot of positive petitions getting drawn to fix problems at school or in neighbourhoods, you know petitions targeting fanboy things like video games and movie are going to get the most excitement (You know that Half-Life 3 or Justice League Snyder-cut petition is going to happen). I personally can’t wait to see how quick a petition to ban Facebook takes to get made, because you know it’s inevitable.
There is no worked yet on whether Facebook is planning a wider rollout of this feature, though it will possibly all depend on the success of its adoption in the US before it gets released elsewhere. Which means once the petitions and comments descend into the typically oppressive vitriol they normally od, its unlikely it will come out here at all.
Last Updated: January 21, 2019
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 21, 2019 at 14:27
If you use Facebook for news, you deserve to feel duped.
Dutch Matrix
January 21, 2019 at 13:00
Oh dear. I see the South African fools already. Petition your local municipality to do something about the street lights, the reeds growing in the road, the potholes, the electricity, the crime, the lack of good state sponsored hospitals and the like.
Oh dear. I see our wonderful government ignore that too.
Pariah
January 21, 2019 at 13:01
Was just about to say “yeah that’s just something else for them to completely ignore”. XD
Admiral Chief
January 21, 2019 at 13:30
They successfully ignore because they cannot read
Pariah
January 21, 2019 at 14:21
Makes you wonder what they’re doing on their phones instead of doing their jobs. Probably looking at the pictures.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 21, 2019 at 14:27
Our politicians are way smarter than they lead us to believe. Feign ignorance and incompetence, and the furore allows you to do other things with no attention on it.
Pariah
January 21, 2019 at 14:41
I was making reference to the Home Affairs staff that were openly just sitting on their phones at their desks instead of helping people. But yes, you are correct for the most part.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 21, 2019 at 14:47
Ohh I see.. Nobody really pays any attention to them anyways lol
Magoo
January 21, 2019 at 14:07
Petition created: Look at this bad thing (sources: buzzfeed, memeworld, cindy’s travel blog)
20 million clueless teenagers: Petition against bad thing