I think my biggest problem with the ice bucket challenge is the reinforced use of the words I and me. The challenge presents a binary between those who have done it and those who have not. By completing it, the challenged feels guilt-free and maybe even a little heroic - he or she cares - if you do not complete the challenge or post a picture of donating, you do not care. I cant argue against the viral-ness working. A lot of money has been raised for a good cause. I can, however, question motives. The whole thing works because of vanity, I think. Its a chance to look good, honorable, in touch with the bad things that happen. Vindication comes through proof of care, usually in the form of captured instances of wet clothing or donations. After the challenge is complete, youve done your work as a caring global citizen. Nice one, sportsfans. Thats not to say that everyone who has done it has done it for a vain purpose, but I am hesitant to think that there is a 100% lack of self-promotion in any video. But even with a questionable intent, good things come out of it. So why am I being an ass? Have you ever been complimented on being real? What kind of compliment is that? How else is a person supposed to be? Should we be unreal or surreal? Of course not. But being completely genuine seems to be a bit of a small commodity these days, and thats a damn shame if you ask me. How can you be acquainted with your individual inner workings if youre being told what to do from outside sources, though? These are the things we wrestle with. I think a lot about being genuine. Probably more than I should. And I always remind myself that Im not 100% genuine but I always grieve over the instances I see where Im not. I ask myself why do I do certain things that I dont totally agree with? Why do I act one way in order to look better? Why do I only care about hot button issues at fulcrum of zeitgeist? We all do it and sometimes good things come out of it. But if you ask me, we should also be making sure to be doing it for the right reasons. And if you really want to know my opinion on donations, I think they should be private, even though you might not get any Facebook likes for it.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 05:46:24 +0000
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