Are online petitions worth anything?

[Bullgrit]

It seems that online petitions are all the rage nowadays to get a point across or to support or counter something. But are they really worth anything at all? Do they prove anything at all?

Bullgrit

 

[Morrus]

They're another form of slacktivism, and while they can - on rare occasions - make a difference, I'd wager that 99.999% don't. But I guess for the rare occasion when it matters and it does work, it's worth it.

 

[Kramodlog]

Are traditional petitions worth anything?

 

[Jhaelen]

Nope. Online petitions are useless, unless they're only a small part of a larger effort to petition for something. And even then you would probably have had the same effect without it.

 

[Umbran]

Are traditional petitions worth anything?

My understanding is that, in local government issues, they often can be - they can serve as a form of unofficial referendum, informing the elected officials of how some number of people in an area feel on a topic.

On a national level, I don't expect traditional petitions mean much.

Online petitions, requiring even less effort (as Morrus called them - "slacktivism"), should mean even less. "Click 'Like' to show you care!" is such a low bar of entry that it doesn't show any real dedication to the ideal in question.

 

[trappedslider]

It seems that online petitions are all the rage nowadays to get a point across or to support or counter something. But are they really worth anything at all? Do they prove anything at all?

Bullgrit

I think it depends on the issue....

 

[Janx]

They're another form of slacktivism, and while they can - on rare occasions - make a difference, I'd wager that 99.999% don't. But I guess for the rare occasion when it matters and it does work, it's worth it.

Slacktivisim.

I remember the days when people who felt strongly about issues would confront their leaders directly at the Theater from behind with a cap to the noggin and then jump off the balcony while yelling their motto.

Now that at least shows some effort.

Note: Abe is my favorite president, and I do not condone busting a cap in anybody's head over any political or civil dispute.

 

[sabrinathecat]

No. Not online, and not even on-paper.
The best you can do is collect signatures to get a candidate or proposition/measure/law onto a ballot.

Letter Writing campaigns can occasionally get results, but the last one I know of was for Doctor Who in the 80s, which brought us 3 more years.