Let's talk about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Started by Honest August 30th, 2014 7:51 PM
  • 1144 views
  • 20 replies

Honest

Hi!

Age 27
Male
New York City
Seen March 19th, 2023
Posted November 7th, 2022
11,676 posts
14.7 Years
I feel like almost everyone knows what the ALS ice bucket challenge is, but in case you don't, it's a challenge that was created to bring and spread awareness to ALS, a devastating disease that kills so many people each year, and help bring us a step closer to finding a cure. The way it works is you pour a bucket of ice water on yourself and/or donate to the ALS charity. Good intentions, right? Howeverrr, lately, people have been making arguments against it, for multiple reasons. We have "people so it for attention" and "it's a waste of precious water" amongst those arguments against the challenge. What do you guys think about that, and the challenge in general? Feel free to share your own video, if you'd like. Gonna shamelessly plug mine in the spoiler below :p

(oh yeah, minor expletive in the video. It was cold, ok ]: )
Spoiler:

DJTiki

absolutely should have never given me the internet

Male
Florida, USA
Seen November 23rd, 2022
Posted April 11th, 2021
1,256 posts
9.2 Years
If it is for a good cause, I am ALL for it. Who gives a damn, if it is "wasted", better to waste water than have people die. So ALS Bucket Challenge = Good.

Phantom

Uh, I didn't do it

Age 32
Female
Minnesota
Seen September 18th, 2017
Posted September 18th, 2017
1,182 posts
11.8 Years
I am all for it. It's raised a lot of money and brought a lot of awareness to something that went under the radar for a long time.

If you haven't seen this video yet, I highly suggest it.

Taemin

MOVE

he / they
USA
Seen January 6th, 2023
Posted December 9th, 2022
11,196 posts
17.8 Years
I like to see so many people participating in one cause / challenge together, but at the same time, there are charities and causes that could use some of the money that's all going towards ASL. It's even been admitted that only 60-70% of the donations are even going towards ASL research.

Though, there are some people that are doing the challenge with the intent to donate to other research foundations, and charities, etc. I think that's a brilliant way to still participate, but donate to other causes that also need help.


I can't leave this spot that's empty without you
It's an area that no one else can fill
The night's never gonna be the same.

SHINee - Area

paired to Palamon

£

You're gonna have a bad time.

Age 31
Male
"england would also be acceptible"
Seen November 3rd, 2019
Posted November 5th, 2017
947 posts
9.2 Years
Been there, done that.

Not sure how I feel about the ALS foundation trying to TRADEMARK the challenge, since idk if it's something that gets people giving to charity even if it doesn't end up being ALS (Macmillian Cancer Research is being donated to a lot over here) then is that truly a bad thing? It's a bit selfish of a charity to put a trademark on something that just happened to heavily benefit them by chance.

But oh well, not fussed enough to raise hell over this!
Sarcasm, its what social able people have, you know wen you go out and meet chicks just not on forums 1,000,000 miles away from you and you ask them what color underwear they have. - Aristotle, 355 B.C

$ ¥ £

Shining Raichu

Expect me like you expect Jesus.

Age 32
Male
Australia
Seen October 17th, 2020
Posted December 21st, 2017
8,958 posts
12.3 Years
I'm kind of over it now, the same way repetition makes me get over a lot of things. I still watch the ones from people I find interesting though, like my high school French teacher and this guy above me ^
Moderator of General Chat

Lusus

Age 23
Non-binary
Ljubljana
Seen April 18th, 2018
Posted February 17th, 2018
1,405 posts
10.4 Years
I'm all for it since it's for a good cause.

Waste of "precious" water? I find lives of people that are dying way more precious.

People only do it for attention? Who really cares? At the same time they also bring attention to the illness, so it is still for a good cause.

gimmepie

Age 27
Male
Australia
Seen 12 Hours Ago
Posted 15 Hours Ago
24,970 posts
11.1 Years
I'm all for doing things to benefit charities and all that but I refuse to take part in this one on principal. Don't get me wrong, if you do it and donate good on you I'm glad to see the charity earn some money, but I find it kind of morbid and unappealing that this has become more about the fad of pouring cold water over yourself than the cause behind it.

I do a lot of charity work anyway, so I don't feel guilty for skipping out on this one because of something that irks me about it.
RPWLA&MVGGaming Journal

Oryx

CoquettishCat

Age 30
Female
Seen January 30th, 2015
Posted December 27th, 2014
13,184 posts
12.2 Years
I like to see so many people participating in one cause / challenge together, but at the same time, there are charities and causes that could use some of the money that's all going towards ASL. It's even been admitted that only 60-70% of the donations are even going towards ASL research.

Though, there are some people that are doing the challenge with the intent to donate to other research foundations, and charities, etc. I think that's a brilliant way to still participate, but donate to other causes that also need help.
I find it really ironic when people complain about the challenge and don't even know the name of the disease they think we shouldn't be donating to.


Theme * Pair * VM * PM

Not all men...

Are all men stupid?

That's right.

Altairis

take me ☆ take you

Female
database database
Seen December 29th, 2022
Posted October 5th, 2018
5,170 posts
11 Years
I'm all for it since it's for a good cause.

Waste of "precious" water? I find lives of people that are dying way more precious.

People only do it for attention? Who really cares? At the same time they also bring attention to the illness, so it is still for a good cause.
I've heard a lot of people here point out the waste of water, because California is going through a pretty serious drought right now and this is definitely not helping. There isn't anything you can do though, people are still going to do it anyway.

ORAS/XYBW

Synerjee

Atra du evarinya ono varda.

Everywhere and anywhere.
Seen May 28th, 2016
Posted February 25th, 2016
2,901 posts
10.6 Years
In my opinion, the ALS ice bucket challenge is extremely useful in order to raise awareness for causes that, without such a challenge in the first place, would never have been made known to the world in such a short period of time. Before this, people wouldn't even have known that such a terrible disease exists. This challenge has managed to raise a lot more money as compared to last year in the same time frame, so this proves it effectiveness. I fully support it.

One thing I am against in such challenges though is that people feel only obligated to donate just because they have been nominated, not because the urge to help comes directly from the heart and the true desire to make a change. They succumb to peer pressure: "Everyone is doing it, so should I". It's like if you don't accept the challenge, people are going to think you chickened out and that you're a mean person because don't want to help. This sort of thing has to stop imo. If you are being asked to donate, it's best to not donate at all.

£

You're gonna have a bad time.

Age 31
Male
"england would also be acceptible"
Seen November 3rd, 2019
Posted November 5th, 2017
947 posts
9.2 Years
I find it really ironic when people complain about the challenge and don't even know the name of the disease they think we shouldn't be donating to.
The username of Jude Mathis is also a little bit ironic now! Probably should've stayed at Med School instead of wandering the world with a certain Lord of Spirits, I'm thinking.

(I'm ashamed to say I didn't even notice that mistake until it was expertly pointed out, gg Nicole, gg.)
Sarcasm, its what social able people have, you know wen you go out and meet chicks just not on forums 1,000,000 miles away from you and you ask them what color underwear they have. - Aristotle, 355 B.C

$ ¥ £

Corvus of the Black Night

Wild Duck Pokémon

Age 30
Non-binary
With the Birds
Seen January 9th, 2015
Posted January 9th, 2015
3,416 posts
14.3 Years
I don't have a problem with it. I just hope that they're not wasting water in California or other drought ridden areas and come up with a more feasible alternative. I heard in some places in the world they're doing the "Rice Challenge" instead of the "Ice Challenge". Here in Michigan though it's definitely not really causing a problem with the resources because the water drains back into the lakes.

I like to see so many people participating in one cause / challenge together, but at the same time, there are charities and causes that could use some of the money that's all going towards ASL. It's even been admitted that only 60-70% of the donations are even going towards ASL research.
You do realize that that's actually exceedingly good for a charity?

Also, your stats are wrong - only 21% of funding goes to internal uses, which, might I add, contributes to the association still existing. The rest goes to helping people, education and looking for a cure. They cannot donate all of their money to those things because it costs money to keep a charity running. Those kinds of statistics are absolutely outstanding for a charity. Please research before spreading misinformation, especially for organizations that are actually doing good.

Taemin

MOVE

he / they
USA
Seen January 6th, 2023
Posted December 9th, 2022
11,196 posts
17.8 Years
You do realize that that's actually exceedingly good for a charity?

Also, your stats are wrong - only 21% of funding goes to internal uses, which, might I add, contributes to the association still existing. The rest goes to helping people, education and looking for a cure. They cannot donate all of their money to those things because it costs money to keep a charity running. Those kinds of statistics are absolutely outstanding for a charity. Please research before spreading misinformation, especially for organizations that are actually doing good.
I did research, though apparently it varies depending on where you find it. Much like anything else on the internet. It is nice to know that the rest of the funds are going towards good things, though. I was concerned before when I read that not all of it was going towards research. @[email protected]

I find it really ironic when people complain about the challenge and don't even know the name of the disease they think we shouldn't be donating to.
Don't know the name? It's called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, though I think most people call it Lou Gehrig's disease, that people tend to get confused with Parkinson's (which some people are doing this as a Robin Williams tribute oAo), even though they're different enough.. If by me not knowing the name of it, you were referring to my typo the second time around, then I apologize for misleading. :/


I can't leave this spot that's empty without you
It's an area that no one else can fill
The night's never gonna be the same.

SHINee - Area

paired to Palamon

Nick

Seen 4 Weeks Ago
Posted July 28th, 2021
17,572 posts
18.6 Years
I mean, it's for a good cause and helps raise awareness, so it's whatever. It's become this huge fad that everybody is doing, and some of the people who are doing it don't even know what its for, and that bothers me a little. Some of them just view it as a challenge like the cinnamon challenge, and that bothers me.

Also, I kind of don't really get why someone would spend the time to watch videos of people doing the challenge either, because all the challenge videos are pretty popular, but that's whatever.

To the people complaining about the wasted water, there are charities available that they can donate to to help support the cause of giving water to countries in need that are a quick Google search away. So maybe instead of complaining about something they don't really care about, they take the initiative and donate to support the cause. People just like to find something to complain about, and a lot of people just like finding the negative in a positive thing.

It's a real shame, because a lot of good has come of this. They've raised a ton of money, and in this world money is necessary to progress.
Age 36
Seen 2 Hours Ago
Posted 2 Hours Ago
10,149 posts
17.1 Years
My main problem with the challenge is that quite a few people don't even explain what it's for. When I first saw the challenge on my Facebook feed, no one said what it was for, and I brushed it off as some stupid fad.

Once it was explained that the challenge was to raise money and awareness about ALS, I looked at it more favorably. My maternal grandfather passed away from the disease, so it's always been something that I wish had more media attention attached to it. This helps raise money and awareness to help other families affected.

Avatar credit: Fairy
Non-binary
New York
Seen November 7th, 2014
Posted November 7th, 2014
27 posts
8.7 Years
I think it's a really good idea! I haven't been challenged yet, but it looks super fun, and a lot of people donate AND dump a bucket of ice on their head. It's the same kind of random internet challenges we usually do, but it's also raising awareness for an important cause!
fc: 1006-0195-1943
friend safari: ground type
phanpy ♡ marowak ♡ palpitoad
Age 29
Male
Melbourne, Australia
Seen January 2nd, 2015
Posted November 28th, 2014
910 posts
12.1 Years
It's so frustrating that this is the only thing in my Facebook news feed. Like I don't care that you're dumping water on yourself and wasting my time. I could be watching something worthwhile but instead it's just Neknom's V2.
Honestly it feels like people trying to bring back the Harlem Shake for me.

Nihilego

[color=#95b4d4]ユービーゼロイチ パラサイト[/color]

Male
scotland
Seen September 28th, 2018
Posted March 16th, 2018
8,874 posts
12.1 Years
i think it's cool. i did mine, didn't donate to als because i thought it a better idea to donate to the uk equivalent since it's where i live and both organisations get some funding that way. two heads is better than one, right? also donated to mind uk which is a mental health charity because i think that, while awareness of mental illness is well on the rise, physical health charities tend to take precedent over mental health ones. in honesty i rarely donate to charities but i thought that it might feel good for once, and it did. 8)

i feel like these issues of people not realising what it's for / not donating / not being able to give 100% of the money to the researchers is kinda missing the point. some awareness is better than no awareness and some funding is better than no funding surely? and even failing that, the people doing it are at least enjoying it, so i don't see the drawback really. it's all for the greater good and there is no real downside to someone just pouring water over their head if they feel so inclined.

It's so frustrating that this is the only thing in my Facebook news feed. Like I don't care that you're dumping water on yourself and wasting my time.
in all fairness though it'd be a stretch say that you'd load facebook any day of the week and expect quality content d:
s͎̭̚ ̪ͭͩy͔͚̰̻̗̩̺ͣ́ͨ̌͡ ̩̳̙̖̖̺͡m̷̱̘͎̝̘̣͒͌͒̚ ͇͖̔̐̔b̝̪͚̞̦ͬ ̢͔̱̟̞̝͙̮͌̅̈̓̿̿i͐̈̃͊ͯ̎҉̟̠͓ ͕̥̣̪̠̃͑͞ỏ̵͕̠̱̬̬̞͛̋ ̨͈̻̱̟̱͓̪n͒̒͂͊̀ ̻̰̰̜̅̃͒̂͞tͭ̍̈́ ͙͇̘͕͍̜̖ͫ̌̊̿ͫ̂̀:̵̾͒̔͂ ̟͉̜̽͒͌͜p͎͇͎̦̺̙͒͆͋́ͅ ̨̠̠̘͚͖̺ͫ͛̎̉a̲͍̫͖͗̄ ͓͖͍̯̤̼͙̿̆̂̂̄r̬̟̮͖̥̼̆̓͑̃̾ͬ̉͟ͅ ̬̼̗͊͛a̛̯̮ ̮̬͍̙̮̤́ͪŝ͊ͬ̒̎̃ ̧̝̮͎͙͆̓ì͈̹̻̱̾͝ ̘͉͕̭̊ͤ̉̓tͩͯ̉̐ͨͬ̚͏̻̺̖̮ ̞̘͂̋̋ͯ͑ͦ͗e̞͔̎̇ͫ͊͗

Shining Raichu

Expect me like you expect Jesus.

Age 32
Male
Australia
Seen October 17th, 2020
Posted December 21st, 2017
8,958 posts
12.3 Years
I could be watching something worthwhile but instead it's just Neknom's V2.
Aaaaaa I remember neknoms, what a great time to be alive.

Moderator of General Chat