While scrolling on Instagram or Facebook, you are bound to find a video showing a biker saving ducklings from a sewer or a homeless person giving 20 dollars to another homeless person on the street. Sometimes, the video is taken by a bystander who just wants reward the person doing the good deed by posting their video on Facebook. These videos will then go viral, making the person who did the good deed an inspiration to others. But when the ones doing the good deed take the videos of themselves, that is what I think is wrong.

When filming a video of yourself, it seems to me that you will only save that dog from a raging river if you can post it on Facebook. The real question is, would you still save that dog if you didn't have a camera on you? You obviously wouldn't get the recognition since the only people watching you are the ones that witnessed the tragedy. Would you ask yourself: is it worth it?

Personally, I try to do my best whether I am being filmed or not. If someone drops a 20 dollar bill, I will be happy to give it back to them. But will other people do the same? Is the only reason a passing biker gives his water bottle to a thirsty animal because he is being filmed? Does filming this and posting it on Facebook make you feel better about yourself?

There is no single request or reflection I can ask of these people, but instead, consider this: rather than posting videos of yourself saving animals, just the save the animal and walk away knowing you did the right thing. If a bystander films you, you will get the recognition you deserve but do not go out of your way to film yourself being a 'hero.' Your character is who you are and what you do for others when no one is looking.