Does online "activism" (blogging, discussion, petitions, etc.) encourage or detract from offline activism?

To begin, I would like to acknowledge the points made by Amelia. We are all very privileged in many ways. I have said at times that political activism is a luxury of the rich and by that I mean our lives are not consmumed with basic survival. We have the time and opportunity to discover areas of interest and become involved in matters not of an immediate nature.

I think part of what is missing is what is "actvism"? The definition will change from person-to-person and some will see organizing as integral to activism, others will say education, everyone might agree it is consciousness raising, and some might argue activism must include a component of direct action while others will argue, no, activism, to have value, must be pacifist.

For me, I would reduce activism to a very simple definition: active dissent. And in that sense, activism becomes the act of speaking out whether it be on-line or in person or merely placing a sign in one's front window.

The reason on-line activism is critical is because it makes alternative voices available in a way that otherwise has never been possible. Your voice, my voice, your neighbour's voice, is seldom reflected in the mainstream media other than when there is tragedy or crime or a human interest that enables others to glimpse behind the social fences if only for a moment.

Blogging, alternative on-line media, sites like this, give everyone an opportunity to contribute to the dialogue and to read and recognize their own voices, or voices like theirs, saying the things we believe or feel or expressing the ideas that receive no play or no acknowledgement within the mainstream media. All of that is critical to knowing we are not alone.

But how does that translate into real and meaningful change in the real world? It doesn't. Not at all if we don't speak the truth loudly and without fear in public.

There is a sense among many that radical politics cannot succeed within mainstream institutions. But I believe radical politics cannot succeed unless it is injected into mainstream institutions.

Today, in your city, they are debating urban growth and sprawl. The proponents of continued growth cite jobs and the economy and denigrate those opposed as "socialists" and "anti-growth". On the otherside the argument centers around managing and paying for growth while protecting woodlands and other natural features.

What is missing from the debate are simple truths and radical ideas.

One simple truth is that the subdivisions being built today will not be sustainable tomorrow and they rob all of us of precious resources that could be used to fund a radical idea: rebuilding our inner-cities and transportation systems  on a human scale and with an eye to an uncertain future in a changing world and with simple principles at the heart of every plan -- everyone needs a home and everyone needs food.

On-line activism is the sharing of voices but it must be met with activism in the places where activism is least welcome.

If my last post to this thread seemed like I wasn't addressing the question...

the site networks like-minded individuals in activism and community events/activities and discussion. what aids the the creation of community where people are engaged with eachother and not walmart for example is political. therefore, online "activism" as we are calling it is progressive to me. As I stated earlier, the forum is a privilegde. having an opinion is not a priviledge, having a forum for discussion, computer access and the freedom to express yourself (for the mostpart in Canada compared to other countries) is priviledge. We don't have to necessarily work 50 hrs a week, live in squalor or live in a warzone. can we recognize that? we are working on making the site a place where people feel respected. this is a time of general confusion, anxiety, "terror" and mass-manipulation. We are all responsible to civilize ourselves, and I am sorry that we don't yet all feel respected on this site. For the mostpart i feel that many of us are working on this common goal.