I stared at the multi-colored, squishy pod, and I did not suddenly have a desire to bite into its contents. There I was, looking back and forth between the vivid gusher-looking pod and back down at the washer patiently waiting to start a cycle. I knew I had to make a fateful choice, a choice between biting into cleaning fluid that would indubitably poison my gastrointestinal tract for the sake of a few minutes of fame or having clean clothes in time for school the next day. I do not know why I chose to do my laundry.

I do not know what came over me: why did I not subject myself to the challenge that other people were willing to do instead of having clean clothes? Everyone else seems to be doing it because it is a challenge. I remember when everyone was hyped over the cinnamon challenge where people died eating too much cinnamon. I balked at several articles explaining to me that it is dangerous to consume that much cinnamon in one sitting because everyone else seems to be doing it. They throw boiling water on each other for a challenge, hold ice until it burns for a challenge, and suddenly I start to attribute a negative connotation to the word challenge.

Just because something is daring does not make it worthy of virtues like valor and courage. We previously attributed the word “challenge” to solving complex puzzles, saving people from rough situations, and defying the terrible odds of a bad occurrence. Just because someone dares someone else, or the world, to commit an act that risks their life does not make it a courageous act. Courage and valor are about being brave in the face of evil, like oppression, prejudice, or discrimination. When did we start attributing such worthy virtues to trying to barely escape death for the sake of youtube attention? This is not courage. This is a desperate attempt for fame without the virtues of hard work and talent.

Do you not remember when your teachers and parents would ask you, “if *insert name of person you admire here* jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?”

I thought to myself, of course not, but maybe everyone else may have nodded their heads and started to jump one after another like a lemming brigade.

Instead, I could be a lemming. I would fit in the crowd, and everyone would accept me for being just like them. They would accept me for making a fool out of myself for their acceptance. They would accept me for keeping a façade of equality by doing everything that they do when they do it. That is not equality, but it feels like some sort of equality is established. It is a desperate attempt to build a façade of esteem and acceptance without the virtues of kindness, compassion, and understanding.

No one should have to make themselves look foolish to gain acceptance or fame of other people. When did we turn fame into a contest of who could look or act more shocking and ridiculous? When do we draw the line and tell people that they should not have to eat poisonous chemicals to feel accepted by society?

No, I did not take the Tide pod challenge, and that is okay. When do we explain that being a lemming is basically being a part of a meaningless brigade?