5. The truth about the “Ice Bucket Challenge”

Over the last few weeks the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was spread all over media news feeds across the world. These are the parameters of the challenge: If you are elected by somebody else, you must pour a bucket of ice water over your head or make a $100 dollar donation to the ALS Association, or both. You have 24 hours to do so. The video for this challenge has gone viral everywhere. This campaign has the intent to gather support and awareness against the fight for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hence ALS. This disease is a neurodegenerative illness that affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord and the brain cells. It causes a progressive breakdown of the motor neurons, which then leads the person to lose control over their body and eventually can lead to paralysis or death. It is a cureless disease. Between the months of July and August the campaign has raised nearly $4 million dollars. However the challenge has drawn some criticism. Jacob Davidson from Times writes “’Want to help fight this disease? No? Well, then you better dump some cold water on your head. The challenge even seems to be suggesting that being cold, wet, and uncomfortable is preferable to fighting ALS.’”    

Sarah Grey wrote a very agreeable article. She used a formal language and had good supporting evidences for the statements she made. What gave great emphasis to her article was that she showed both good and bad sides for the challenge. She did not try to convince the reader to whether the challenge is good or not, she was stating the truth about the worldwide known challenge. Her evidences came not only from her own research but also from other magazines like Times, also another impressive thing from Grey’s article is the interview she showed she had with Robert Frank, a economic teacher from Cornell University. During her interview with Professor Frank he states that people become nicer once they have the attention of others therefore people accept the challenge. A person cannot nominate others unless he does the Ice Bucket Challenge. Both Professor Frank and Sarah Grey agree that most end up doing the challenge and donating $100 dollars anyway.

        http://www.salon.com/2014/08/16/the_truth_about_the_ice_bucket_challenge/