There always seems to be a craze driven by television, music, the media, social networking, and often all four. Remember planking, those number games, and now even selfies. Now you are seeing these cold water challenges all over social media and even the news.
It started out as seemingly a good thing, given the summer weather and all. Many people I know that were/are doing it had sincere purposes. They were raising money for charities , ALS, or their churches. However, it has gotten out of hand and ugly as the phenomenon has grown nationwide.
Many people now are diving into cold pools, rivers, sitting in buckets of ice, all trying to see who can withstand the freezing the longest. It has turned into something more annoying than a Facebook game. This seems like something daring Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and the gang from Jackass would do. Consequently, people have been getting hurt and sick, trying to fit in with the crowd and help others simultaneously.
Many cities and even water conservation societies have issued warnings and disclaimers due to this widespread behavior. You can do it safely and innocently. However, you can still get hypothermia during the month of June, and even drown. One must exercise good judgment and be cautious if you are going to join the masses keeping cool to be cool.
I am leaning towards not doing it. Most of you know I am not the type to follow the herd, and I do not like fads and social media-spawned games. Also, given all of the negative publicity, it may be best for myself, and maybe you, not to partake.
Have you already did a cold water challenge? Did many others you know participate? Were there any dangers involved?
No comments:
Post a Comment