When is a "Challenge" not really a challenge.

The Tide Pod Challenge. Oh.My.Giddy.Aunt! Let it go already.

There have been numerous "challenges" on social media, more specifically Facebook, over the years. Some more rampant than others. Some more worthwhile than others.

These range from the "List three items starting with your first initial" to "post the 47th picture on phone" (I never know if they mean the 47th most recent or the 47th picture taken. And to be honest, the couple of times I have participated in this, I totally cheated and posted the picture I most wanted to practice my exhibitionism with.) to the "video yourself doing 'X' to prove you support 'Y.'"

And then there are the "click here to see who your celebrity doppelgänger is" (that's a fancy German word for "who do you look like") or click here to see what you would look like as the opposite sex. These apps can be very tempting to participate in. And I admit to caving to the pressure on occasion, knowing full well they are simple phishing sites who want access to all your Facebook information. Yes, you fully permit them access to all your photos and info when you "click here," usually without reading a damn thing they are disclosing.

Anyway, as usual, I am ranting off on a rabbit trail, so let's circle back around to the matter at hand: The Tide Pod Challenge.

Have you actually seen a for-real posting on Facebook from someone who has taken the challenge? No, I didn't think so.  It really hasn't happened all that often. Oh, to be sure, there are some dumbasses out there who have probably done it. thinking "everyone" is doing it. But the dumbasses are few and far between. I can promise you there are a lot more stupid things that a lot more stupid people have done in the last few months than eat a Tide Pod.

Remember a couple of years ago when the "Ice Bucket Challenge" was all the rage? This was an actual challenge that actual people did and actually posted the videos for all to see. With the intention to raise awareness for ALS, a terrible debilitating and fatal disease. This challenge was one that actually served it's purpose.

I'm always a skeptic, and doubt the effectiveness of how 'secretly posting the colour of your bra' on a social media site can really do anything for the real women who are enduring the battle with breast cancer. But I do personally know of someone, here in my hometown, who financially benefitted from the awareness and funds raised by the Ice Bucket Challenge. So don't let my ranting discourage you from participating in fun ways to create community and promote a cause.

But I am getting tired of the Tide Pod Challenge. It isn't really so much a challenge to participate as it is a way for the 'normal people,' like me, to make fun of and belittle someone else in an attempt to make myself feel smarter than. Sorry folks, The Challenge isn't nearly as much of a 'thing' as we would like it to be.

***end rant***

And just so you know, though I like to rant, I am not immune to succumbing. Here I am if I were a man:

I've always thought of myself as a "Cutting" and my brother Ted as a "DeBalinhard." However,  this phishing site, which I knowingly gave full permission to access my info, will prove we obviously share genes from both sides.