The ice bucket challenge

3_Octave_Fart · Aug 19, 2014

Dude- everyone knows you're the smartest one here.

Donny in his element · Aug 19, 2014

Because it's apropos of the topic (or debate) here. From Seth Godin:

According to recent data about the ice bucket challenge making the rounds, more than 90% of the people mentioning it (posting themselves being doused or passing on the word) didn't make a donation to support actual research on an actual disease. Sounds sad, no?

But I think these slacktivists have accomplished two important things at scale, things that slacktivists have worked to do through the ages:

1. They've spread the word. The fact is that most charities have no chance at all to reach the typical citizen, and if their fundraising strategy is small donations from many people, this message barrier is a real issue. Peer-to-peer messaging, even if largely ego-driven, is far better than nothing. In a sideways media world, the only way to reach big numbers is for a large number of people to click a few times, probably in response to a request from a friend.

2. Even more important, I think, is that they normalize charitable behavior. It's easy to find glowing stories and infinite media impressions about people who win sporting events, become famous or make a lot of money. The more often our peers talk about a different kind of heroism, one that's based on caring about people we don't know, the more likely we are to see this as the sort of thing that people like us do as a matter of course.

Spreading the word and normalizing the behavior. Bravo.

The paradox? As this media strategy becomes more effective and more common (as it becomes a strategy, not just something that occurs from the ground up as it did in this case), two things are likely to happen, both of which we need to guard against:

1. Good causes in need of support are going to focus on adding the sizzle and ego and zing that gets an idea to spread, instead of focusing on the work. One thing we know about online virality is that what worked yesterday rarely works tomorrow. A new arms race begins, and in this case, it's not one that benefits many. We end up developing, "an unprecedented website with a video walkthrough and internationally recognized infographics..." (actual email pitch I got while writing this post).

2. We might, instead of normalizing the actual effective giving of grants and donations, normalize slacktivism. It could easily turn out that we start to emotionally associate a click or a like or a mention as an actual form of causing change, not merely a way of amplifying a message that might lead to that action happening.
Click to expand...

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/08/slacktivism.html

Let the debate continue...

Songbird · Aug 19, 2014

Which MLB team has planned the challenge at home plate after a walk-off win?

My money's on Maddon and the Rays.

DeskMonkey1 · Aug 19, 2014

ChrisLong said:

Been kinda fun and for a great cause. Jimmy Fallon was challenged by Justin Timberlake and last night accepted the challenge with guest Rob Riggle and the Roots, a mass ice bucket dumping. Fallon then challenged the NY Jets.
Click to expand...

Did they miss?

LongTimeListener · Aug 19, 2014

Songbird said:

Which MLB team has planned the challenge at home plate after a walk-off win?
Click to expand...

Whoever is playing the Tigers.

LongTimeListener · Aug 19, 2014

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge reaches the highest exalted honor that can be awarded to a trend, meme or other cultural phenomen.

Slate hates it.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/08/12/icebucketchallenge_you_don_t_need_an_ice_bucket_to_donate_to_als_research.html

Moderator1 · Aug 19, 2014

Cranberry is the man

YankeeFan · Aug 19, 2014

Eric Fisher ‏@EricFisherSBJ 1h

MLB Commish-elect Manfred and large group of MLB employees taking ALS ice bucket challenge outside NYC HQ tomorrow morning

YankeeFan · Aug 19, 2014

Andrea Mitchell challenges Hillary Clinton and John Kerry:

http://bit.ly/1vf0W1K

cranberry · Aug 19, 2014

Moderator1 said:

cranberry said:

Moderator1 said:

I call out Cranberry, right now in front of the SportsJournalists.com world.
Click to expand...

OK, Moddy, I'll do it for you and ALS. What are the rules? Within 24 hours, check to ALS and another call out?
Click to expand...

Technically, but I'm not a stickler for the 24 hours. Do it when you can - nd if you do it, the check is optional. Call out 2-3 people and away they go.
Click to expand...

Ok, done.

YankeeFan · Dec 15, 2014

The wife did it today:

http://youtu.be/y-ei096ZvU0

A big bucket, and lots of ice was used:

Bob Cook · Aug 20, 2014

The Foo Fighters' version, which parodies the prom scene from "Carrie," is epic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5NjvFuPChU

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The ice bucket challenge

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The ice bucket challenge

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