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| George W. Bush, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg taking part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (Image: YouTube) |
I like to consider myself a charitable person. Whenever my friends are trekking up mountains for good causes, I am there to do my bit and support them financially. Whenever my friends are running the London Marathon and share their JustGiving page on social media, I am more than happy to give their worthy cause £5 here, £5 there. In addition, every March, I purchase a daffodil to raise awareness of Marie Curie Cancer Care, an organisation who support both those who're losing their battle from cancer and their relatives affected by the cancer. Every November, I purchase a poppy to remember those who tragically passed in World War I and World War II. Both events mentioned are occasions many millions can relate to and the charities involved have never needed to rely on social media in order to collect donations.
Don't get me wrong, as an avid use of Facebook, Twitter and the like, I wholly support social media and its role in society. It is a great, modern way to communicate and I am grateful to be in touch with people I both like and respect using these networks. Obviously, social media has its faults - some argue that it exploits young people getting involved in things that have been ill advised. Others argue they distract people from reality. Both arguments are valid, however, my personal problem with are "Internet Sensations" - an event, a particular video that becomes so viral that millions get involved. Millions getting involved is perfectly fine by me but there are some online sensations that have lost control of its true meaning.
One internet sensation that has dominated the press recently is the "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge". Sponsored by ALS Association, a charity that supports those with MND (Motor Neurosis Disease) and popularised by a young American lad (Corey Griffin) who has a friend suffering from the condition, the objective of this challenge is to film yourself and pour a large bucket of ice water on your head, and then dare three of your mates (or nemesis') to do the same.
Unfortunately, Griffin tragically lost his life after drowning in Massachusetts a few weeks ago but nonetheless, the challenge has been an overwhelming success for ALS Association with A-List celebrities and politicians among those involved. Countless number of videos have been uploaded to social media websites. A recent source suggests 2.4 million short clips have been shared but that statistic is likely to escalate rapidly over the coming days, potentially weeks.
The challenge has been of great help to ALS as, according to reports, they have scooped over $15 million worth of funds which has boosted their cause and message somewhat, which is absolutely great for them, that is despite charities like MacMillan Cancer Care claiming that they too, are the sponsor of such sensation, even though that this isn't the case. Either way, the lives of those affected by such diseases are being helped by the generosity of the public across the world.
While I am glad to see charities receive the funds they deserve, I feel somewhat angered by this particular internet sensation. I have not done the Ice Bucket Challenge, despite being challenged by a friend or two, and it may disappoint readers that it isn't my intention to take part.
My decision may be an unpopular one but to me, other than the fact that the last thing I want to do is to soak myself with ice cold water, this challenge has not only lost its true and original meaning of what it is like to help charities like ALS Association, but it also beats the point of donating for worthy causes. Internet sensations are just that - sensations. Although this Ice Bucket Challenge has lasted for two months so far which is quite impressive, once this viral event comes to a gradual end, not only may the charity involved suffer in the long term in regards to crucial funding, but also they'll likely to be forgotten because another charity organisation has come up with the next 'big hit'. It is a bit like the X-Factor effect where someone gets 15 minutes of fame, and are then instantly forgotten as if nothing happened.
Having an internet sensation like this is also quite depressing for the charities involved. In the world of austerity, it is very sad to see organisations such as ALS going through such lengths to claim their fame. It is also a shame that the only way the general public would get involved is if their favourite, or worst celebrity gets involved and encourages others to search for their pennies to help someone else in need. Heavens forbid, if George W. Bush is doing it, then I should do it.
The challenge itself is something I have a problem with. Doing something for charity is a choice, but if you are challenged to pour a bucket of ice water over your head, and have "24 hours" to complete the challenge or you must donate "$100 to ALS Association", you feel as if you have no choice, or bad karma is coming your way. To me, there is no flexibility or freedom when it comes to fundraising. It's ironic that the same people who complain about churches "forcing" religion down others' throats, are the same people who shove such challenge down people's throats. Of course, donating for a fantastic cause is an honourable thing to do, but I feel that I would need to do it under my will rather than doing it whenever someone else tells me to. It sounded like a great challenge when it started but for me, it has gone out of hand.
I am all for educating people about illnesses that don't receive a voice like MND, but if I wanted to donate to a charity like ALS Association, I would have done it in the first place. I don't need celebrities to influence me. Barack Obama declined to take part in the challenge from five famous people including Justin Bieber, does that make him a bad person?
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