A Small Change Article Analysis Essay

If you look at the news or anything that tells you what is happening in the world, you'd see the mass revolutions occurring. From the BLM movement to the Dreamers movement,people have taken to the streets and the internet to let their voices be heard. And as much as those actions taken may rile people into action, Malcolm Gladwell in his article, “A Small Change”(2010) begs a differ as he goes to suggest that the social media aspects of activism are “Platforms built on weak ties “(45), pointing out that one of the only selling points of activism on social media isn't all that since as Gladwell goes to prove its cons outweigh its few pros.Gladwell also goes on to claim that social media activism isn't that effective as it has made a change or helped  with revolutions and if anything made them weaker by only getting participation online.Gladwell supports his claim by showing his thoughts on how social media isn't as effective in getting people to take action but successful in riling them up; having a i’ll post about about it on my instagram but do nothing aside from that situation ensue.Gladwell's purpose is to suggest that social media is just not all that everyone makes it out to be in regards to its help in activism.Gladwell establishes an earnest tone for the activist who may read his article and tries to get them to see the low points in social media activism although he also does admit to its somewhat good points.

Throughout the article Gladwell makes a point of stating that “The new tools of social media have reinvented social media activism “(Gladwell 42) . Although to most this might have a good tone he makes sure to show us the reasons why it is not. For example when saying how”weak ties seldom lead to high-risk activism”(Gladwell 45). Gladwell made that statement after talking about how social medias weak ties are good in the short run since they increase participation while more or less lowering motivation and how they ultimately fall short since the people participating don't make any real sacrifices (46).Gladwell even makes sure to correct the little snippets  of “proof” within his article, like in p.46, that may make it seem like social media activism is a good form of activism , so that his readers activist or not don't fool themselves into thinking that it will make people act.

Gladwell also goes on to talk about the structure of traditional and the new activism. Gladwell firstly talks about how the traditional activism is built on a hierarchy and how they are a “strategic form of activism which was mounted with precision and discipline” (Gladwell 47).Gladwell then goes on to contrast new activism to it by stating that “ social media is not about about the hierarchical organizations''(Gladwell 47) and that  social media networks arent controlled by a single central authority which ultimately leads them to have difficulty when reaching a consensus ,setting goals, and thinking strategically( 48). But as not to leave it looking total downsides Gladwell also points out that networks are good in low-risk situations since they are adaptable and resilient; and how they could get work done fast  since they have networks of thousands(47).This goes to show that structure can also be a deciding factor in activism and that no one wants something that will make little to no change in the long run, it also shows that although not for the new form of activism Gladwell can see the few good points it has.                   

 And lastly Gladwell goes to show yet again that social networking is not good for much.In the last paragraphs of his article Gladwell goes on to decimate an  essay(?) written by Clay Shirky, who wrote about a girl who lost her phone and through the army of people via the internet they got it back. Gladwell states that Shirky may be right in saying that that would never have happened in the post internet age but Gladwell then sarcastically states to refute Shirky”A networked, weak-tie world is good at things like helping Wall Streeters get phones back from teen-age girls. Viva la revolución. “(Gladwell 49). Like most people in this day and age would of probably have agreed with Shirky but any who read Gladwell's article would see the point he makes when claiming that social media activism doesn't make that big of a difference in a movement.Gladwell nowadays would have a bigger amount of people who disagreed with him  (gen z mainly).

To conclude the article “A small change” by Malcolm Gladwell shows that we have lost sight of what true activism is and are buying into how useful social media activism really is. Gladwell shows all of those points by comparing their structure to show the superior and by explaining how it lacks change affects. Gladwell's claim of social media activism not having a real lasting change sticks firmly all throughout the article as it doesn't waiver even when using his counter argument.