Friday, August 22, 2014

Thoughts on the Ice Bucket Challenge

The Ice Water Bucket Challenge is a craze sweeping the nation, while raising millions & millions of dollars for a very worthy cause; but what are the rules? I feel like everyone is doing it because it’s the cool thing to do, but aren’t fully informed on the details (that’s how Obama got elected…twice).

It doesn’t bother me that the video’s fill up my newsfeed, they are much better than the plethora of the useless personality quizzes. Nobody really cares what element from the periodic table your personality is most like. (We all know its helium anyway: full of hot air). Plus it’s interesting to see the different techniques that are used. Some use the same amount of ice that goes into a drinking glass, while others actually use like a five pound bags worth. Rules? I also enjoy seeing what everyone has laying around the house to use as a bucket. How long until someone markets a bucket to be used just for the ALS Challenge? Some using mixing bowls, other’s coolers, flowerpots, vases…anything that holds water.

The thing I really don’t understand and have yet to find a definitive answer (Yes, I looked on Google) is do those who soak themselves make a monetary donation? It’s my understanding that the choice is to either get wet or pay $100. Everyone is proudly posting the video of them getting drenched, but what’s the honor in choosing that route over paying? I’ve taken many cold showers, so what hurts me is opening up my wallet. The purpose of the Challenge is for ALS to make money, not for everyone to get their fifteen seconds, actually it’s usually closer to 45, seconds of fame on Facebook. I’d be curious to know how many people actually know what ALS even stands for, or if they took the challenge just because everyone else is doing it?

Obviously someone is paying, and understands the rules, because millions of dollars have been earned. That’s great, and I’m truly glad to see a disease other than breast cancer get some attention, but I at least understand the rules of a 5K run. I can’t do it, but I understand it. I can withstand being doused with cold water, especially in August. Want to be praised? Take the ice water bucket challenge in the middle of winter.

On the bright side, it is heart warming to see the entire country come together for a common cause. The challenge is something all ages, colors and genders can partake in. Everyone from elementary aged kids to President George Bush have participated. Entire sports teams, work places and probably neighborhoods have partaken. Just don’t let the real cause get lost in all the attention.
The dollar amount raised is very impressive, if the government had came up with the idea the national debt could be solved in less than a months time.

Furthermore, how did everyone suddenly become such experts on video recording? Parents miss capturing their child’s first step on film because they can’t find the right button to push. I’ve seen videos of weddings where nothing but the ground was recorded, because the cameraman messed up. However, every single ice water bucket challenge is filmed perfectly, centered and with high quality sound, and we know it was all one take because nobody would dare go through it twice.

Here’s my challenge for you, and you have more than 24 hours to complete it…share this with three readers. I want to go viral too. (I’m kidding)


No comments:

Post a Comment