The Ice Bucket Challenge Has Left Me Cold

By Rupert Truscott-Hughes on October 23, 2014 in Other

Having recently delved into the world of social media (don’t bother trying to find me; I exist online under a pseudonym), I have become aware of the fads that fill up my newsfeed for a few weeks at a time and then quickly flitter away into the ether. The latest of these (and by the time this comes out, I assume/hope that it is nothing but a distant memory) is the Ice Bucket Challenge (IBC).

Obviously I’m well aware that this all started out as some good harmless fun and it is undoubtedly a clever way to raise some awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – I think we usually call it motor neurone disease over here – and some funding for research into the condition. I’m actually surprised it took so long for a charitable initiative to follow the format of the infamous Nek Nominate videos to take their cause viral.

That aside, there are a number of things that get my goat about what has now become a global campaign. Given my word constraints, I’m only going to elaborate on a couple of them, but these are just the tip of the ice… bucket.

Firstly, to the people whinging about the participants who have posted IBC videos and not made a donation, get stuffed. It’s great that you did and you’re a really good person and all that, but now it’s time to get off your high horse. There is no obligation to donate, and getting all weird about it only strengthens the resolve of non-donors (like myself). Yes, if everyone donated, a whole hell of a lot of money would go to the cause, but I think it’s done pretty well anyway. Stop being so greedy and be thankfully for the money and awareness that has been raised instead of getting flustered about what hasn’t. And always take time to remember that there are probably numerous other causes that the non-donors do donate to, like the starving children in South Sudan (who would probably like to drink the water you’re pouring on your head).

Additionally, I must say that these sorts of campaigns are only really one step away from the ‘pass this on to ten friends or your cat will die, you’ll contract herpes and your children will be born with no limbs’ posts. Stop trying to guilt me in to doing something I don’t want to do. I’m not ten years old and I will not succumb to your peer pressure. I am, funnily enough (and despite the paragraph above), more than happy to make a donation if you provide me with the appropriate link (please make it to an Australian charity associated with ALS rather than an American one).

In closing, I will not be videoing myself pouring a bucket of iced water on my head. I have other ways of seeking attention, such as driving around marginally too quickly in a louder than necessary bright red Porsche convertible. I’m more than happy to post a video if it’ll get all the do-gooders off my case.