6 Critical Apps for the Social Activist

6 Critical Apps for the Social Activist
DJ Miller
8/7/2013
Updated:
4/24/2016

With the rise in social media use, many people are looking for ways to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and opinions with others in the world. Some like to connect with like-minded individuals, while others enjoy debating with people who are on the opposite side. Even if you are not actively involved in such issues, you may appreciate the option to get involved in a cause from your smartphone.

Twitter

One of the most popular tools to share and learn information is Twitter. This social media platform boomed over the past six years, registering more than 500 million users. There is at least one Twitter app available in every application store, so smartphone users can share their thoughts (in 140 characters) from anywhere. Thousands of celebrities, news personnel, and other well-known personalities have Twitter accounts, and fans can follow their tweets to see photos and learn more about their lives or opinions.

Another benefit of Twitter is its search capabilities. When users place a # (hashtag) in front of a word or words, it becomes a clickable link which searches for other tweets with the same hashtag. This allows those in the Twitter universe to connect and communicate with others across the globe. Many sporting events and television programs advertise their own hashtags, which help generate buzz and discussion about the entertainment.

Avoid Companies You Dislike

Those who prefer to use apps to take a stronger stance can check out Buycott, which organizes spending and helps you understand what your money is funding. You may have strong feelings against a certain company, so you avoid purchasing their products. However, they could be the parent company for other products that you use often. Buycott allows you to scan a product and receive detailed information about the brand and company that manufactures it. It saves a list of those companies that you have committed not to support.

Share Your Images

App #3 on the list is a photo sharing application, since a picture can say a thousand words. Instagram is a popular choice, with editing capabilities and the ability to promote and communicate directly with big companies and small businesses.

Audio File Sharing

If you’re looking for ways to share your opinion via audio files, check out Audioboo. This app takes recordings from your smartphone and publishes them to your account. You can access them from anywhere, and follow the recordings that others post on the site. An app like this could have lasting effects in situations like media blackouts, or in areas of social unrest. Allowing people to anonymously share information quickly and easily gives the people more power and allows important intel to get to where it needs to go.

Read What Matters

Stay current on news that appeals to you with Pulse, an app that combines all of your favorite sites into a user-friendly mosaic. You can scroll through the interactive pages easily, taking in the latest updates without having to visit each site individually. This will give you the ability to react to world events as they happen. You won’t have to go from site to site to get the information that matters.

Fight For Power

The solar power industry is moving quickly to advance their technologies and with greater adoption comes a greater need for a user friendly experience. Take SolarCity for example: They’ve created a highly optimized application called SolarGuard that allows users to monitor their solar output in real time. As technology like this grows, it will allow users to remotely control their solar panels to follow the sun, ensuring maximum productivity. The more people using solar, the more companies will invest in it as a serious alternative to fossil resources that are decimating small nation states around the globe.

The Energy Debate has a massive long term impact on social justice around the globe. The expenses associated with energy play a critical role in the development and sustainability of territories and countries ravaged by the plunders of global, capitalistic imperialism. Many 3rd world countries have lost the means to produce enough food for themselves, as they only way they can afford to exist is by producing the high value crops to be able to afford to simply power their towns. As renewables like solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal and wave power are improved and adopted many small nations can gain an equal footing. 

Stay active in causes and concerns that you care about with a variety of apps for your smartphone. These social applications will make sure that you’re up-to-date with all of the latest information from around the world.

 

 

DJ Miller is a graduate student at the University of Tampa. He's an avid gadget geek and spends most of his time reading or writing. He is a huge fantasy sports fan and even runs his own advice site for Fantasy Help.
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