It's true..... unfortunately too many people get involved in good work and volunteerism based solely on it being a "cool" thing to do. Not necessarily bad though, at least they are getting involved even if for the "wrong" reasons. In fact, is there really such thing as a "wrong" reason if it is making a difference in someone's life?

This is why we need celebrities, musicians and people of influence to make charity work and environmentalism the new "it" thing. ;)

"Casual caring" is an excellent turn of phrase, I like it.

Anyway, I'm fine with casual caring, in the sense that it's a gauge of the public's values and priorities. Ideally, legislators and policy makers would see what people care about and act accordingly. So it's not so much that buying a trinket can save the world, but taking part in symbolic acts can shift public opinion, and by extension, can (or at least, should!) shift what our elected employees in Washington, DC do with their time.

I realize that the haste of my idealistic projections often falls short of my expectations. Even if it’s passive, at least it’s activism, right? Although I would love to say my involvement in my favorite causes is mostly “hands on,” I am guilty of pledging a dollar amount, flaunting a product, or buying green before I render my precious time... unless, of course, the active activism engenders a social activity. I think it’s true with everyone, unless Oprah tells you to do it.

I think we're all guilty of this to an extent...I personally am reluctant to do anything unless I really believe in it passionately. If I don't have a huge interest in it, I'm much more likely to just donate a dollar here and there instead of actively getting involved in something. I have lofty ideas ahead of time, and often fail to follow through. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a product of my generation :/

Ah, this is an excellent point and I like how you coined “casual caring.” I do agree that most people would rather do something “easy” and that others are doing, but I think it’s really important for us to find our way back to volunteering our time, which is really one of the most important and inexpensive donations—well at least monetarily! It’s so hard though because our time is so precious to us and we all lead such busy lives. I remember when I was back in high school my friends and I would enthusiastically volunteer just about ALL of our free time at local soup kitchens, after school programs, marathons for various causes and such. We were community service junkies! But once work and college took up our time we felt as though we lost our way a little bit. Sure we’d donate money here and there but it’s just not the same. I think it’s time for everyone to recognize this shift and do our best to make our way back to actively volunteering. You don’t need to start big. It could be a few hours one Saturday morning or a few hours after you get off work. =) Anything is better than nothing, and it’s always fun when you drag a friend along!

Roman, I WIN! Maybe that was the Tanqueray talking....

First, you and Karen look supremely fab in front of the Tanqueray sign!

Second... I think "casual caring" is hot. I'm all for anything that gets people engaged. And if it's a simple act, something you'd be doing anyway, and GOOD is generated from it, all the better!!! Now, I'm not discouraging people from spending more time/money on important issues for sure - by all means, please, everyone, do more. But the more bracelets, parties, t-shirts, whatever makes an impact, the merrier.