Challenge Not Accepted

I'm just going to come out and say it: I don't get internet challenges. This is something I've been thinking about for a while now, and I need to get it out of my system. I understand the base concept: do something outrageous (usually involving subjecting oneself to physical discomfort or consuming hideous amounts of food), film yourself doing it, post the video online. I understand that I just don't see the appeal.

A few years ago, the Ice Bucket Challenge happened. The basis for that was to raise awareness of (and money to fight) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). There there was a reason, a method behind the madness. However, most challenges seem to come from nowhere and mean nothing. I don't even watch internet challenge videos, really. I just look at the title and the video still, and think, 'Why? Why are you subjecting yourself to this torture? Are you really this desperate for views?' And that's with the more reasonable challenges.

I remember seeing some video listing internet challenges that have resulted in people's deaths. I actually predicted one of the challenges on the list: Neknominate, a challenge which involves drinking very, very heavily. The surprise was the challenge at the end, though. Apparently, there is an internet challenge that involves setting yourself on fire. I did not then, and still do not understand how someone could be so stupid that they would actually go through with this.

Sometimes, I wonder if internet challenges are in fact some new form of natural selection at work. Or maybe they're just highly sadistic practical jokes that highly sadistic individuals trick other people into playing on themselves.