Should you take the ice-bucket challenge?

The critics pour cold water on the latest web craze to sweep the celebrity world.

Like most people, I occasionally give to charity and sponsor friends who take part in sponsored runs or cycle rides. I've even done some fundraising myself. However, I'm not a big fan of these big collective events where everyone is encouraged' to grow a moustache or quit drinking for a month, and then brag about it on Facebook.

My objection is that they are more about self-promotion than the specific cause. So I'm glad the current ice bucket' craze, where people either have to donate money to any charity supporting people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or post a video of themselves being drenched, has led other people to admit similar feelings.

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