ALS disease or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or
most commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease is a nervous system disease
that weakens muscle and impacts physical function. Before the summer of 2014
many people didn’t know or had never even heard of ALS. Until the ice bucket
challenge became popular.
The ALS ice bucket challenge was
arguable one of the largest social media movements in 2014. Filling a large bucket with ice-cold
water and then pouring the content of it out over your head was a major fad.
According the Castells; concepts this social movement was a success. Castells
says at one point that “ the faster and more interactive the process of
communication is the more likely the formation of a process of collective
action becomes, rooted in outrage, propelled by enthusiasm and motivated by
hope.”
I think Castells
concept applies to the ALS ice bucket challenge in many ways. This challenge
happened so quickly and brought so much awareness to people who had no idea
what ALS really was and how many people it affected. People are always up for a
challenge. It excited other when they know that not everyone can complete a
task, even something as trivial as pouring water on your head. It motivated celebrities and everyday
people to donate money to a cause that before that summer, not many people knew
or thought about.
According to (http://www.ibtimes.com/how-much-money-has-als-ice-bucket-challenge-raised-more-100-million-has-poured-where-will-1677980)
the ice bucket challenges, “Raised over $100 million” during the course of the
summer. Raising that amount of money to find a cure for ALS brings hope to
those who suffer from the disease and their family members.
If pouring a bucket of ice cold water
turns out to be a major way to raise awareness and donate proceeds to a
disease, then why wouldn't people do it?
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