"raising awareness" not $: classic or dud

(or maybe.. just... y'know think about it... and stuff)

It is interesting to see that when I type "raising awareness" into ilx it comes up with a thread about Live 8.

Was this the first time the phrase was used in the context of a large multinational event organized with the aim of changing something for the better? I believe it was and that it set the wheels in motion for a change in people's thinking and not a good one.

Note for example the viral movement over Facebook over the last few days to change one's profile pic to that of a a cartoon character to "raise awareness of child abuse". I refused to participate in this charade, said so via the comments, and walked into the inevitable shit-storm. It is interesting to see that among my fb friends opinion seems to be divided pretty much 50:50 between those who consider it a good thing and those who consider it a waste of time at best and a diversion from actual action at worst.

One friend came up with what I consider to be a fairly apt name for it - "virtual non-action".

To give to a tin shaker in the street or to sign up to sponsor someone via JustGiving.com or similar is occasioanlly derided as "salving one's conscience", a criticism I had always regarded as unfair -- not everyone has the time or talents to directly assist those in need after all.

But the whole "awareness" thing takes it up a notch! It had me cursing the computer and shouting "Has the world gone mad!".

Despite the debt repayment thing, despite allegations of mis-use of funds, I think Geldof basically had it right with Band Aid and Live Aid, these were a force for good, but with Live 8 he not only seriously lost his way, but, being an influential individual set off a chain of events that has been quite harmful if as I suspect it caused the whole "awareness" thing to burgeon.

What is the point of "raising awareness" of child abuse? EVERYONE is aware of it. If you have to be made aware of child abuse, please live far from me. Some people don't really care about child abuse because it's not their problem, what is the point in trying to change such scary people?

Sick of these pointless Facebook charity campaigns, they propagate the idea that good can only be done via computer.

I became more aware this weekend about which friends liked X-Men and which ones liked Ren & Stimpy. Don't beat kids.

at least you guys are raising my awareness of how raising awareness is stupid -- a much more noble cause surely

tbh i dont have any problem w/ this. im sure donations to certain orgs are up slightly. & complaining about this is more worthless than being in favor of it, so

basically, either put up or stfu

they propagate the idea that good can only be done via computer.

curious, did you mean "can be done solely via computer"? not on fb so cant speak on that specifically, do they just not follow through and ask for time/money at all? that would be annoying

annoying/pernicious? if it's just people shooting good intentions at each other i mean.