The attention economy established the idea of quickly taking a stance for or against something. It’s a stance that is foremost visible. We’ll see it in changed profile pictures, using light to transform the looks of trees, buildings, stadiums, or alike, or in many other small details mainly becoming visible on social media.

It is a stance that is there to show emotions, to show the like or dislike of something, and search for an impact based on the reaction of the crowd. It is there to show how agitated people are about something. This is, however, a passive reaction. It is there to be seen and happens in the hope that others will react to it.

As important helping is, it most often is a reaction to one’s agitation in the situation and the desire to help those in need. Seeing people in need is important, helping them too. People receiving help know though, that the help they receive when there is an urgent need is a very different one from the help that is given based on long-term priorities.

Taking an active stance requires more work. While it requires analyzing the situation in depth, it only requires using the tools available to us. These include reading reliable news sources, giving oneself an overview through multiple sources, the ability to synthesize the information, common sense, personal values, and the ability to use all of this to conclude. It must be a conclusion one can explain and share with others.

Having a stance allows deciding on one’s ability and desire to impact the situation one is taking a stance on. It also helps to know how one can have an impact.