You can't scroll down your Facebook feed without seeing videos of your friends throwing buckets of ice water over their heads and doing the #ASLIceBucketChallenge.
Mashable is calling this the "Harlem Shake" of the Summer. So, why this? What makes something go viral?
Let's start by examining the early days of the #ASLIceBucketChallenge.
According to Wikipedia, the origin of the Ice Bucket Challenge stems from other cold water challenges. In late June of 2014, the hosts of Morning Drive on the Golf Channel, performed a live on-air challenge and changed the focus to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Soon after, other notable celebrities from LeBron James, Matt Lauer and James Franco to Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears took the challenge. Even former Presidents got in on the action when former President, George W. Bush did the challenge and nominated Former President Bill Clinton. President Barack Obama opted out of the challenge and instead chose to donate.
Why does something go viral?
No one can predict what makes something go viral. It's a very organic phenomenon. We can look at factors that most likely helped. Obviously, it's a good cause.
- This disease is seriously scary and we really need to do something about it.
- Celebrity buy-in. Celebrities left and right were doing the challenge. This helped promote the challenge.
- It's entertaining. Who doesn't want to see their friends get a bucket of ice water over their heads?
- It's easy. No special equipment is needed - just a bucket, ice water and someone strong who can lift the bucket.
- Social media pressure. Publishing your video via social media creates social pressure and a desire to be part of something big.
Criticism has also mounted around the challenge. Early on, in one version of the challenge, participants could take the challenge and opt out of donating money to ALSA.org. This version of the challenge trivializes this horrible disease. I get it. Dumping ice water over your head does nothing to truly raise awareness or money that's needed to discover a cure or a ways to treat the disease. I admit that I was getting tired of seeing the videos in my Facebook stream. That changed however, when I watched the video below. I knew what ALS was, but fortunately I have not been personally affected by this disease. I have been deeply touched by other devastating diseases though. Seeing a loved one suffer and feeling helpless is the worst.
http://youtu.be/h07OT8p8Oik
After watching this young man's pain and fear, it hit me. Something needs to be done. If the #ALSIceBucketChallenge is the way that brings about awareness, compassion and serious funds to research and discover a cure. It's a success.
Our Challenge to You
We challenge our compassionate, caring team at ArcStone and our dear clients. Learn about this disease, do the challenge, discover ways you can help and make a donation.
