If you doubt the validity of some information, do challenge it; critically analyze information; think for yourself.

I think it does help. Even if it just increases awareness like with Kony Facebook posted "25 people are talking about KONY 2012!" So I clicked. I watched the video and felt compelled to do something. There are a lot of people who try to do things if it is only clicking LIKE so what! It will get people talking which eventually leads to opening check books like I did.

You know I was really impressed with this and like the Darfur Crisis I was very embarrassed that I wasn't aware of what was happening. In college I started a national chapter of a club for Darfur because I wanted to help and felt I had to since no one knew what was going on there. (I did a survey and the common response was who is that?) With the whole Kony thing I even bought the "activist kit" but then the guy in charge of it had that debacle.

After that I was about to try to get a refund because I don't care what the circumstances are you would never see the leader of a “real” non-profit act that outlandish and it completely discredits him. So basically his actions negated anything I was going to do. Even though the package is shipping I still feel iffy about it. People are just going to take this as a joke now, which people were already doing before he had the public breakdown. I am a fundraiser for profession and I know the heads of my organization or any of the organizations I've been involved with would never act like that.

Karen - that's very interesting... I am waiting to get the Time issue so I can read that...

I'm an activist - and a fairly hard core one at that on a number of issues. Any organizer will tell you that your message has to touch people three times. Yesterday, I was chatting with my 20 year old cousin who is admittedly a political neophyte. Yet - she sees my posts on Facebook and they spark conversation so she can start to develop her opinions. Social media can be a powerful tool but it can't stand alone - like any other one outreach follow up activities are required. I'm still annoyed by the Kony2012 campaign because it didn't tie to a clear action to address the problem unlike the successful Planned Parenthood social media that forced Susan Komen to reinstate funding.

More on the “Kony 2012″ video: The Chronicles of Philanthropy reports today that the nonprofit behind the video, Invisible Children, has been unwilling (over 6 years and 18 requests, including by certified mail) to undergo any financial or governance review by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, an accreditation site for nonprofits. Makes me wonder...
here is the link to the chronicles:
http://philanthropy.com/blogs/social-philanthropy/charity-behind-viral-video-failed-to-respond-to-watchdog-requests/30267?sid=pt&utm_source=pt&utm_medium=en

Very intersesting VERY articulate interview, thank you! I just wanted to add the reminder that some people, though genuinely concerned with the world, may simply not have the time or strength to do even one more thing, except push the "like" button. They may have two jobs, health issues, kids - well, you get what I mean - and may simply not have another ounce of strength.

Thank you for an excellent segment

The first Gulf War happened when I was in fourth grade. I wore a sandwich board to school that said, "Give Peace a Chance" and wrote out little pamphlets about why I thought war was "bad". In fifth grade, I not only organized a protest for dolphin-safe tuna in our school cafeteria, I also organized a petition for girls to be allowed to play on our school's soccer team. I haven't really stopped - I volunteer, I organize documentary screenings or lectures or films (movies that show the human side of Iran, veterans from Vets for Peace and IVAW to talk at the local college about their stories, etc).

To share a video like this does increase awareness... Signing a petition online does make me feel good... but I frequently feel like it's not enough. However, I feel like everyone has to pick their cause - pick their battles - and fight for it. Get off the computer and go out and make this cause known. Sharing a video or signing a petition doesn't make you an activist - it just means you sympathize with the cause.

Its easy to create labels to denergrate people's sincere interest in an issue. The world has changed much from when we protested over vietnam, civil rights, women's, etc., etc. We have new ways to communicate and gain momentum for issues and ideas. Besides people are busy and engaged in keeping their jobs so passive involvement may be best they can afford. If just one person is motivated to pick up a banner and get actively involved there is an installed base of public support for that person. "Slacktivisim" just a label.

I just heard your "interview" with some republican "strategist". You state that the tide is running against republicans in favor of your man Obama -- when most recent polls show the opposite --
Obama Approval Rating Down in New York Times/CBS Poll. You asked this strategist leading questions and try, as you always do, to promote radical left wing views while masquerading as an honest news gathering effort -- indeed, those views of your man, Obama. Those of us familiar with Pravda during the soviet days are quite familiar with these media techniques and have learned how to glean the truth through your biased reporting. You are NOT a news organization but simply a propaganda entity. Very sad what you have become . . .