As many of you probably already know, yesterday was World Aids’ Day. What you also might or might not have already heard about is the ‘different’ fundraising method that some celebrities like Alicia Keys, Usher, and Lady Gaga have opted for this year. Spearheaded by Alicia’s charity, Keep a Child Alive, it has developed a revolutionary way to raise awareness and collect donations. Digital death, i.e. no twitter, no facebook, no digital ‘life’ of any kind till donations reach the million dollar mark hence buying the celebrity’s life back. While some of you might find it an ingeneous way to raise awareness, I can’t help but feel uncofortable with this concept. I must admit that I think that some ‘celebrities’ participating in this campaign are better off silent, but that’s besides the point. It’s as if, out of their desperation, they have resorted to some kind of an emotional blackmail. Wouldn’t it have been easier if each had donated some money? I’m pretty sure they could have put together millions of dollars rather easily in a short time. They are exploiting the love and devotion that their fans have for them in an unorthodox manner. Some of you might think that after all the end justifies the means, but to what extent does that apply to. Today it might be for a good cause but what if this phenomenon expands to other fields. I admit, it’s a little premature to think that it might catch on since it has just reached barely over a hundred thousand dollars, but it sort of makes one wonder how far can you bend the rules to get your way even if your intentions are good?

Keep in mund that I highly respect this day and pray for a cure for this disease but I’m a little disturbed by the means some have resorted to this year….

Here’s the link to this campaign http://buylife.org/