"Click like and save a puppy, the rainforest, banish poverty . . . etc" are all-too common calls-to-action we see peppering our Facebook threads and pop-ups. Eye rolls inevitably ensue. Alas, there may be more to the infamous "clicktavists" than we think. They click, feel better about themselves, and nothing really changes, but it doesn't have to be that way. There are myriad apps that do help make the world a better place, if you choose to click wisely.
Micah White writes for "The Guardian," arguing "The trouble is that this model of activism uncritically embraces the ideology of marketing. "He believes that applying the same marketing tactics used to sell consumer goods to incite change is, putting it mildly, a bad idea. But, what if, instead of using social tools to gain traction, we use them to appeal to "The Golden Rule?" In fact, there are many social apps that do just that-- they're golden because they result in more than just a click and a false sense of service. For some social networking apps, the bottom line isn't solely dollar sign; it's also an improved life.
1. Where There's a Will, There's a Waze
In New York City last year 7,979 motorists were involved in accidents in one month alone; involving hundreds of injuries, and countless irritated people trying to get to work. The app, Waze, can't stop every fender bender-- but it is powered by the people for the people- those who hate traffic and want to reduce the dangers involved in a traffic-jammed world. They call themselves "a personal heads up from a few million of your friends on the road." Accidents and traffic are like death and taxes-- they're going to happen, but at least Waze's sole desire is to reduce them, and it seems to be working.
2. Budge Will Make You Want To
It was Anne Frank who said "no one has ever become poor by giving." Suffice to say, according to the National Philanthropic Trust; American families are giving steadily more to charitable funds each year, with a whopping 95.4 percent of families giving to causes they believe in. The app, Budge, rides the tide of this wonderful trend by combining the fun of personal achievement and friendly competition into a give-a-thon. Users simply download the app, challenge a friend to anything they want; see who can run a faster mile, reach a career goal, read more books . . . and the "loser" must donate an agreed upon amount to the "winner's" charity of choice, although with Budge there never truly is a loser. Even the name of the app itself subtly pokes at trend is seeks to abolish.
3 Recyclebank Helps Earth, Saves You Bank
Americans recycle at a meager rate of 34.5 percent, and they recycle plastics at an even more lamentable rate of 14 percent, notes Eliza Barclay for NPR. However, a simple Recyclebank download can help educate and incentivize users to recycle through a point-based system that also helps locate simple recycling solutions. The app/site also inspires users to learn which foods can be biodegradable, and how to find the simplest route to reducing and reusing consumer goods and packaging. Earned points can be redeemed as coupons, or for shopping on their environmentally sustainable website. Even if you're not about to chain yourself to a tree and bathe in patchouli oil, this app/ site is a logical, effective way to pat yourself on the back for doing some good.
Although clicks and screens won't change all of our real-world problems anytime soon; if they can be used to help someone injured in an auto accident, make charity into a self-bettering game, or reduce the amount of garbage in the world . . . then why not click away?