So I can’t help but notice that more and more people are starting to do this ALS ice bucket challenge. Although I think the thoughts behind it is great, I have serious questions as to WHAT is actually going on. From what I’ve noticed, the dialogue tends to go something like “I’ve been “CALLED OUT” by xxx to do the “als” ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE”!!! “ROAR!!!”.
OK. Are we forgetting what the actual point of this was? ALS? where’s the time and emphasis spent on talking about that and to point someone to WHERE we can actually do something (by something I don’t mean dumping ice) to help the cause? Businesses can have a focus on fair trade or integrate some sort of social service into the operations and people have a choice of proactively participating through resources (aka $$$) or time+effort. But this seems to be losing direction….. what about “if you choose not to dump ice, which would be great as well, you can goto alsa.org to donate?”
I wonder if the ALSA suddenly realizes they became social media marketers versus fundraisers for their cause. Wouldn’t it be fun to know what the ratio turned out to be in terms of ice dumping hits of social media vs donations? Do we dare take an over/under gamble on donation vs ice?
The Ice bucket challenge although an interesting way to use the virality of the internet to pass a message and indicates to a good cause, forgets that it is playing an infinitely looped version of telephone where the spirit and soul of the point seems to have been lost.
I realized, after spending some time talking to NGOs that technology may not be the best skillset that they have and that they are trying very hard to leverage the internet. Understandable and commendable. But at the end of the day they must not let something go out of control and become more an internet game and allow people to lose focus on what the actual point is!
Just in case, this is what ALS is.
This is not directed to anyone I know that has already DONE the challenge. Your videos were fun and keep calling people out to help. Just make sure to let them know donating is also an option.
Here’s an idea… why not dump AND donate?
the techathlete. 