I began this by reading an article about the Ice Bucket Challenge which was posted by Steve Rose. I will be responding and evaluating whether I agree or disagree with his views, and evaluate the language he uses. I’m sure you’re all aware of what the Ice Bucket Challenge is, but some people have doubted the reasoning behind the challenge. It started with a man called Chris, who had been nominated for the task which had nothing to do with ALS. They decided to add the charitable aspect to the challenge to hopefully raise money for the charity and awareness of ALS.
Mr Rose is clearly against the Ice Bucket Challenge and his views are quite cynical. In the article he has no positives to say about the challenge and he feels that people are wasting clean water to pour over themselves to get involved. This is shown when Mr Rose states “if theres one counter trend to pour room temperature water on the craze, it is #droughtshaming”. This suggests that Mr Rose does not agree that the challenge is suitable and that it shouldn’t be happening as clean water is being wasted. This is displayed in the picture he had used where it shows a clueless young boy saying ‘you waste clean water as a challenge, in order to avoid raising money for charities’. He mentions the state of California is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts, and further countries are suffering. I disagree. I feel that they are doing it for a good cause and that those who are able to do it are and those who can’t are not participating in the challenge. His abhorrence for the Ice Bucket Challenge is an over reaction.
Mr Rose’s draws attention to the matter that the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge may be disrespectful towards other charities. They may feel that they are favouring this specific charity as the donating involves enjoyment, and not a serious approach to problems. ‘The US department has forbidden diplomats from participating for fear of favouring particular charities’. Diplomats, officials representing a country abroad have been told to stop donating in the form of ALS because it may be favouring other charities, this is ridiculous. Just because the challenge has spread to world wide communities as a fun way of donating, it should be stopped because other charities are not gaining enough recognition. Many charities use fun and exciting ways of trying to get the audience to donate, yet the ALS approach is deemed to be unacceptable amongst the critics. including Mr Rose. Countering how Mr Rose has presented his argument, I feel that it is pretty ironic of him to condemn the challenge, as it is after all for a good cause.
Furthermore, he proceeds to talk about the dangers which have occurred from the Ice Bucket Challenge. He again criticises the challenge but involves the matter of death. The publisher talks about how Corey had died from the challenge in a diving incident. A diving incident? What has pouring cold water over yourself cause someone to drown, this is an exaggerative comment. Death is obviously a serious matter, but for this instance, is it really the ice cold water causing people to die or is it their stupidity causing death. ‘Four firefighters were seriously injured in an elaborate variation on the challenge, in which a firetruck ladder got too close to overhead the power line’. This statement was intended to make the challenge look unacceptable, but it shows how people went to extreme measures and risked injuries. A simple ice bucket of water was needed, no diving, no ladders. It was unnecessary for Mr Rose to mention death to people as it was their own fault the challenge went out of hand, as they chose the complicated and dangerous way.
He also mentions in his article that doctors around the world have warned elderly people about the risks, as well as expectant mothers and people with heart conditions to stay away from the Ice Bucket Challenge. Additionally, Mr Rose is being deceitful. If you are unable to do the challenge due to health warnings, don’t, its not compulsory. Ice water can be useful in some circumstances, ice baths propose to reduce swelling and recovery time after hard sessions, leaving an individual feeling fresher and less sore each day. This would be helpful for elderly people who suffer from muscle soreness, as it helps reduce pain and would be advised, but the challenge is deemed unacceptable.
So, to conclude I feel that Mr Rose’s is very critical, I feel that criticism is not needed. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is for a good cause, it has raised money for the charity and more importantly it has raised the awareness of the illness. No harm was intended to be caused when the challenge was set up, it was meant to be for people to enjoy themselves whilst giving to the less fortunate.
React!