One of the popular social networking website, Facebook (FB) has gone colorful. Syllables speaking single word or phrases are representing color. Since the afternoon of 8th January 2010, a trend is seen where females are updating their FB status with the color of their bra like Pink or Black and White Polka dotsor Beige and so on. Many were in fact puzzled status updates. And the majority does not have any idea about the Pink Ribbon as well. Is the bra color FB status a conspiracy to make Facebook hotter? Facebook status colors have already become a hot search on the net. Or is there something absurd and specious going on?
A rumor is on air that it is a way to raise awareness for breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today. Interestingly, breast cancer is about 100 times more common in women than in men, but survival rates are equal in both sexes. It is the month of October which is celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During October, people raise money by organizing activities such as theme parties or a Pink Day (when employees wear pink clothing or accessories) at work. The money raised is donated to the organizers choice of breast cancer care or research programs. But amusingly, no reason for the timing as such is yet seen for this so called awareness campaign in FB, when it is January now. By the way, it’s a general notion that men can't take to the bra color FB status. However, if you are a male and your mood is colorful, who says you can’t write colors in your status? Interpretation does not matter much.
One of the most interesting things about this effort that went viral is that no one seems to know who started it, or the motivation behind it. So, it will be interesting to see what information comes to light in the coming days and who might capitalize on it.
Some folks aren't so high on this campaign. There is aFacebookBraFAIL tag on Twitter now where some are criticizing it as a lost opportunity for advocacy, given the lack of clarity or clear call to action in the status updates. But regardless of what you think - brilliant viral marketing or a missed opportunity, the fact of the matter is that people are talking.
Facebook Inc. said it hasn't been able to find out who came up with the idea, circuitously stating we are clean in this matter. Andrea Rader, a spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, said the group was not behind the campaign but said, "It is a terrific tool for raising awareness. We just hope people act on it - get educated and get a mammogram”. Komen group is one of the pioneer foundations which have taken the breast cancer movement globally. The other speculation for this clarification from Andrea Rader was also because of Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Camp, incidentally seems like a 3 day campaign in FB, which in fact is anytime register kind of 3-day camp program and the proceeds goes for the cause.
Whatever be the actual reason for this FB hit, updating your bra color will not help much but only end up in fun. Someone updated this FB status, “Black texts spelling colors, revealing your privacy (if u r true :-)) is GOOD for fun rather than a campaign. But getting a "MAMMOGRAM" done is even BETTER...”
The message communicated by the above quoted status seems loud and clear. There's no word yet on the origin or the ultimate goal of the campaign. But if you really want to support this cause which is yet to be concluded, the foremost step to be a part of this campaign is to better consult a doctor for yourMammogram first. If you are in addition much interested to support this cause you can volunteer for breast cancer awareness. But only updating your bra colors will get yourself exposed. And just in case this campaign gets going, and reach new dimensions will you be willing to see your profile stating30 or 31 or 32 or 33… A/B/C/D… and so on? Give it a thought.
No comments:
Post a Comment