Have you taken your Ice Bucket Challenge yet?

The Ice Bucket Challenge, basically, is dumping a bucket of ice water on one's head. In case, it has been associated with some diseases to promote donations to research.

The current version of the challenge dares nominated folks to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and challenging others to do the same. The nominated person has 24 hours to complete the challenge or make a donation to a charitable foundation. If they complete the challenge, the can call out a challenge to other people.

There can be various versions of the challenge:

1. If participant completed the challenge, they can donate amount; if they don’t, a multiple of x
2. Donate only if challenge not completed
3. Donate without attempting the challenge
4. Donate as well as complete the challenge

Off lately, challenge has gone viral with Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, politicians, athletes, and public in general are going through this and challenging others to do the same.

My peeve with all this is:

1. All the hoopla around the challenge seems to be taking the seriousness of the diseases out of it. While researchers might be grateful for the inflow of funds; would it not be having a negative impact on people suffering from the diseases? Samsung has taken this opportunity to promote the waterproof feature of S5. View the video here
2. Where has the good old anonymous donation gone? Why the race to claim the glory and prove that you did donate?
3. Whether you donate or not, what’s the point of wasting so much water and ice, all the energy went into making potable water and cooling water sufficiently for it to become ice?

Image source: http://www.golfwrx.com/228683/icebucketchallenge/