Elitism and conferences

[Guest guest]

Dear colleagues,

I feel that I must comment on one aspect of

Merritt Clifton's well drafted and informative email on conferences. He says

the following: " As the cause and the conference have grown, those of us who

became involved early have evolved into something of a leadership

elite--because we know each other now, & know what each can do & bring to

the table. "

My personal view is that any kind of elitism should be viewed with some

amount of scepticism. Not that I deny the usefulness of good leadership(and

thus obviously accept the axiom that not everyone can be a leader) but there

are obvious pitfalls of elitism. I have noticed how elitism in press

conferences leads to a small coterie of journalists covering every one of

them at the cost of others and how these people are inveigled by the

organisers to write puff pieces. The same thing can happen in conferences

that promote charitable causes where elitism might lead to a small group of

people from a specified clutch of organisations attending all the

conferences all over. Focussing too much attention on one congregation might

lead to others being left out of interactions and denied opportunities.

As far as Asia for Animals conferences are concerned, I have attended two,

the one in Singapore and the one in Madras. Whilst I applaud the organisers

of both, I found elements of elitism at the one in Madras. In at least two

instances, the Madras AfA conference smacked of elitism that I found to be

discriminatory and disappointing. I sincerely hope that such elitism will

not be repeated in future AfA conferences. Elitism worming its way into

anything is disconcerting and we need to be on our toes regarding this.

Otherwise, committed and dedicated people may opt out of these conferences

like the proverbial rats leaving the sinking ship!

A conference is a good place for cross pollination of ideas and I do hope

to attend the AfA conference in Bali and learn from others and share

information on a common pedestal. I also hope that as many people from as

many countries are able to attend the AfA Bali gathering.

Best wishes and kind regards,

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

,

I enjoyed ur note on elitism. Another term used is arrogance. But I think

that where ever you find humans, you will find one or the other of these

behaviours displayed. This behaviour should not be viewed with scepticism,

but squashed completely. These behaviours have no place within a group

trying to improve the lives of others, nor at a conference of such beings. I

suggest that you bring specific examples to the table, and let that be aired

in hopes of future remedy, or ³lessons learned.² In my experiences at

conferences of all types, arrogance is often a behaviour of non-intent, or

in other words, the arrogant idiot is not aware of his or her behaviour.

When groups of like idiots congregate based on this common behaviour, an

outsider might see this as an elitist group. It¹s easy to break up this kind

of group with a little awareness raising, ie. confront the behaviour

head-on. And if that does not work, just resort to primal animal behaviour

and bite the fools. I think that¹s what I love the most about animals. They

don¹t have these kinds of human trappings that disrupt social progress.

Animals just do, and know, and are. Sure, they get confused and make

mistakes, but I have never met an elitist arrogant animal.

Hoping we all can behave more like animals,

Jigs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fri, 6 Jun 2008 22:12:32 +0530

<aapn >

Elitism and conferences

 

 

 

 

Dear colleagues,

I feel that I must comment on one aspect of

Merritt Clifton's well drafted and informative email on conferences. He says

the following: " As the cause and the conference have grown, those of us who

became involved early have evolved into something of a leadership

elite--because we know each other now, & know what each can do & bring to

the table. "

My personal view is that any kind of elitism should be viewed with some

amount of scepticism. Not that I deny the usefulness of good leadership(and

thus obviously accept the axiom that not everyone can be a leader) but there

are obvious pitfalls of elitism. I have noticed how elitism in press

conferences leads to a small coterie of journalists covering every one of

them at the cost of others and how these people are inveigled by the

organisers to write puff pieces. The same thing can happen in conferences

that promote charitable causes where elitism might lead to a small group of

people from a specified clutch of organisations attending all the

conferences all over. Focussing too much attention on one congregation might

lead to others being left out of interactions and denied opportunities.

As far as Asia for Animals conferences are concerned, I have attended two,

the one in Singapore and the one in Madras. Whilst I applaud the organisers

of both, I found elements of elitism at the one in Madras. In at least two

instances, the Madras AfA conference smacked of elitism that I found to be

discriminatory and disappointing. I sincerely hope that such elitism will

not be repeated in future AfA conferences. Elitism worming its way into

anything is disconcerting and we need to be on our toes regarding this.

Otherwise, committed and dedicated people may opt out of these conferences

like the proverbial rats leaving the sinking ship!

A conference is a good place for cross pollination of ideas and I do hope

to attend the AfA conference in Bali and learn from others and share

information on a common pedestal. I also hope that as many people from as

many countries are able to attend the AfA Bali gathering.

Best wishes and kind regards,

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

>I have never met an elitist arrogant animal.

 

 

Know any cats?

 

 

 

 

 

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

[ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations.

We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year;

for free sample, send address.]

[Guest guest]

Ha! I¹ve lived with a few in my day. But a cat is just being what it is: not

a pack animal by birth. If we were to attend a cat conference, the females

would probably all be in the snack bar networking, while lone males would be

wandering around outside spraying things. I had a cat once raised as a

kitten with a litter of pups, and he grew up thinking he was a dog, to the

point of wanting to walk in the park with the rest of them

jigs

 

 

 

 

Merritt Clifton <anmlpepl

Fri, 6 Jun 2008 20:49:54 -0700

<aapn >

Re: Elitism and conferences

 

 

 

 

>I have never met an elitist arrogant animal.

 

Know any cats?

 

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl <anmlpepl%40whidbey.com>

Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

[ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations.

We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year;

for free sample, send address.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

 

It would be useful if you could let me know the two instances where you

felt that there was a “hint of elitism” at AfA2007.

 

This will certainly be useful as a “lesson learnt”. If you want, this

could be sent to me in a personal message.

 

Thanks and regards.

 

Chinny Krishna

 

 

 

aapn [aapn ] On Behalf Of

Herojig

07 June 2008 08:55

; aapn

Re: Elitism and conferences

 

,

I enjoyed ur note on elitism. Another term used is arrogance. But I

think

that where ever you find humans, you will find one or the other of these

behaviours displayed. This behaviour should not be viewed with

scepticism,

but squashed completely. These behaviours have no place within a group

trying to improve the lives of others, nor at a conference of such

beings. I

suggest that you bring specific examples to the table, and let that be

aired

in hopes of future remedy, or ³lessons learned.² In my experiences at

conferences of all types, arrogance is often a behaviour of non-intent,

or

in other words, the arrogant idiot is not aware of his or her behaviour.

When groups of like idiots congregate based on this common behaviour, an

outsider might see this as an elitist group. It¹s easy to break up this

kind

of group with a little awareness raising, ie. confront the behaviour

head-on. And if that does not work, just resort to primal animal

behaviour

and bite the fools. I think that¹s what I love the most about animals.

They

don¹t have these kinds of human trappings that disrupt social progress.

Animals just do, and know, and are. Sure, they get confused and make

mistakes, but I have never met an elitist arrogant animal.

Hoping we all can behave more like animals,

Jigs

 

<journalistandanimal

<journalistandanimals%40gmail.com> s

Fri, 6 Jun 2008 22:12:32 +0530

<aapn (AT) (DOT) <aapn%40> com>

Elitism and conferences

 

Dear colleagues,

I feel that I must comment on one aspect of

Merritt Clifton's well drafted and informative email on conferences. He

says

the following: " As the cause and the conference have grown, those of us

who

became involved early have evolved into something of a leadership

elite--because we know each other now, & know what each can do & bring

to

the table. "

My personal view is that any kind of elitism should be viewed with some

amount of scepticism. Not that I deny the usefulness of good

leadership(and

thus obviously accept the axiom that not everyone can be a leader) but

there

are obvious pitfalls of elitism. I have noticed how elitism in press

conferences leads to a small coterie of journalists covering every one

of

them at the cost of others and how these people are inveigled by the

organisers to write puff pieces. The same thing can happen in

conferences

that promote charitable causes where elitism might lead to a small group

of

people from a specified clutch of organisations attending all the

conferences all over. Focussing too much attention on one congregation

might

lead to others being left out of interactions and denied opportunities.

As far as Asia for Animals conferences are concerned, I have attended

two,

the one in Singapore and the one in Madras. Whilst I applaud the

organisers

of both, I found elements of elitism at the one in Madras. In at least

two

instances, the Madras AfA conference smacked of elitism that I found to

be

discriminatory and disappointing. I sincerely hope that such elitism

will

not be repeated in future AfA conferences. Elitism worming its way into

anything is disconcerting and we need to be on our toes regarding this.

Otherwise, committed and dedicated people may opt out of these

conferences

like the proverbial rats leaving the sinking ship!

A conference is a good place for cross pollination of ideas and I do

hope

to attend the AfA conference in Bali and learn from others and share

information on a common pedestal. I also hope that as many people from

as

many countries are able to attend the AfA Bali gathering.

Best wishes and kind regards,

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Jigme,

I can now state that I have had a comprehensive

personal discussion with Dr Chinny Krishna over certain issues that I

construed as being elitist during the AfA conference in Madras in 2007 and

have found his explanation satisfactory and acceptable.

I also want to add that it is good that we are discussing the various

nuances of conferences on this forum for I have been enriched and

enlightened by every message posted. I should mention here that it is

extremely laudable that the AfA conferences are open to the public so that

in theory at least, the man on the street can walk in and listen to what the

participants are saying about animals.

There is another point that has struck me about the AfA conferences. That

is how some delegates overcome language difficulties to exude their passion

for animal welfare. Both in Singapore and Madras, there were some Chinese

delegates who had a bit of difficulty speaking in English but made brilliant

presentations nevertheless because the strength of their convictions was so

strong that they nullified their language impediment. That I note is one of

the reasons I feel it important to attend the AfA conferences since the

pooling of expertise, resources and knowledge is so beneficial. Meeting

passionate people is always an edifying experience.

I wish the AfA Bali conference organisers all success. Hope to meet you all

there.

Cheers,

 

 

 

On 6/7/08, Herojig <herojig wrote:

>

> ,

> I enjoyed ur note on elitism. Another term used is arrogance. But I think

> that where ever you find humans, you will find one or the other of these

> behaviours displayed. This behaviour should not be viewed with scepticism,

> but squashed completely. These behaviours have no place within a group

> trying to improve the lives of others, nor at a conference of such beings. I

> suggest that you bring specific examples to the table, and let that be aired

> in hopes of future remedy, or " lessons learned. " In my experiences at

> conferences of all types, arrogance is often a behaviour of non-intent, or

> in other words, the arrogant idiot is not aware of his or her behaviour.

> When groups of like idiots congregate based on this common behaviour, an

> outsider might see this as an elitist group. It's easy to break up this kind

> of group with a little awareness raising, ie. confront the behaviour

> head-on. And if that does not work, just resort to primal animal behaviour

> and bite the fools. I think that's what I love the most about animals. They

> don't have these kinds of human trappings that disrupt social progress.

> Animals just do, and know, and are. Sure, they get confused and make

> mistakes, but I have never met an elitist arrogant animal.

> Hoping we all can behave more like animals,

> Jigs

------------------------------

> **

> **Fri, 6 Jun 2008 22:12:32 +0530

> **<aapn >

> ** Elitism and conferences

>

>

>

>

> Dear colleagues,

> I feel that I must comment on one aspect of

> Merritt Clifton's well drafted and informative email on conferences. He

> says

> the following: " As the cause and the conference have grown, those of us who

> became involved early have evolved into something of a leadership

> elite--because we know each other now, & know what each can do & bring to

> the table. "

> My personal view is that any kind of elitism should be viewed with some

> amount of scepticism. Not that I deny the usefulness of good leadership(and

> thus obviously accept the axiom that not everyone can be a leader) but

> there

> are obvious pitfalls of elitism. I have noticed how elitism in press

> conferences leads to a small coterie of journalists covering every one of

> them at the cost of others and how these people are inveigled by the

> organisers to write puff pieces. The same thing can happen in conferences

> that promote charitable causes where elitism might lead to a small group of

> people from a specified clutch of organisations attending all the

> conferences all over. Focussing too much attention on one congregation

> might

> lead to others being left out of interactions and denied opportunities.

> As far as Asia for Animals conferences are concerned, I have attended two,

> the one in Singapore and the one in Madras. Whilst I applaud the organisers

> of both, I found elements of elitism at the one in Madras. In at least two

> instances, the Madras AfA conference smacked of elitism that I found to be

> discriminatory and disappointing. I sincerely hope that such elitism will

> not be repeated in future AfA conferences. Elitism worming its way into

> anything is disconcerting and we need to be on our toes regarding this.

> Otherwise, committed and dedicated people may opt out of these conferences

> like the proverbial rats leaving the sinking ship!

> A conference is a good place for cross pollination of ideas and I do hope

> to attend the AfA conference in Bali and learn from others and share

> information on a common pedestal. I also hope that as many people from as

> many countries are able to attend the AfA Bali gathering.

> Best wishes and kind regards,

>

>

>

>