Ice bucket challenge

If anybody was alive and online in 2014, they will surely remember a viral trend "The ice bucket challenge". But very few people knew what it was beyond the surface level.

The ice bucket challenge was an awareness campaign towards research of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this challenge, whoever has been challenged would either get ice water thrown on their head or would donate $100 to the research of ALS. After completing the challenge the person should nominate more people to do the same challenge.

Ice water challenge became a viral trend on social media. It became more viral with celebrities. One celebrity would do the challenge and make a video. In that video it would be shown how ice cold water gets poured on them; how they react to the ice cold water; and then they would nominate other celebrities, friends, or family members to do this challenge.

This challenge sure was entertaining. Especially their reactions after the ice water was poured on them. They would scream, squeel, curse, or shout. Also there would be an excitement towards who are they going to challenge. Most people (celebrities or non celebrities) did the ice bucket challenge and also donated money towards the research of ALS. It was a win win.

According to me, it was a wholesome challenge. It was a harmless trend. It did not involve a prank or a harmful activities. The ice water would not do any damage. Sure it was cold and the participants required blankets after completing the challenge. But it still did not cause any permanent harm or injury. This challenge resulted in entertainment as well as it raised funds for a noble cause.

For every good deed there would be critics. The people who criticized this trend said that plenty of water is being wasted. This argument was fair. However in most cases the water that was poured on the participants was not drinkable. A lot of people tried to snatch the limelight by saying they stayed away from this trend because they understand the value of water. In reality, they just wanted to be relevant in the moment. They could do it only by commenting on a viral trend.

Some people started their own trend "rice bucket challenge" where they donated a bucket full of rice to charities. This was a noble initiative by itself. It did not require to bring down the ice bucket challenge. Because both were to create awareness towards good initiatives.

Ice bucket challenge definitely became one of the best viral internet phenomenon. It is an evergreen trend. Even today we can watch old videos of ice bucket challenge and get entertained. A viral trend that helps research and awareness is still a great initiative.

Most viral trends make people do stupid acts, dance like a lunatic, or trouble others by playing pranks. But trends like ice bucket challenge win the hearts over the internet. These trends become immortal. I wish that such thoughtful trends rule the internet once again. I wish internet could become less self absorbed and more self aware. We need more such wholesome trends now than ever.