Why are we here?
What is the purpose of a social networking site?
What are we doing with this site?
Why are we here?
Are we really interested in nature, conservation, ecology and in other peoples experiences?
Social networking sites (like Eco Watch) are internet based sites where people of similar interests can get together from all parts of the world and from any culture to make friendships, exchange ideas, share experiences and help promote shared values and concerns.
When we started Eco Watch we hoped that we could create a membership of peoples from all around the world who would give of their time, energies and determination in the efforts of helping ecological and wildlife conservation issues.
On several occasions I have tried corresponding with the larger Conservation Groups who to be honest, seem to have deserted their Mission Statements and have become so big that all they are concerned about seems to be income generation for their own salaried positions. I even encountered this with Universities and individuals (during their PhDs) who proclaim their eco-awareness and support. The PhD'ers use nature, conservation or wildlife issues to study and then seem to turn their backs on the very subjects which gave them their qualification
With all this in mind, I had hoped that writing to these institutions as a large and active group may, just may, have made a difference but, you have to have active members participating and sharing. Influence only comes from persuasion but how can we hope to persuade anyone (or anything) if we can't even give time to our own membership.
I have written a number of blogs on here and made remarks, posted photographs and Diana has posted videos as well as shared thoughts but, for whatever reason, socialising, the joining together, just hasn't happened as yet.
In our efforts of living, coping with our own situations, our concerns for our well-being, our home-life, our jobs, our families, we seem to be filled to the brim and not having ANY room for additional issues. Whilst this partly understandable, it is these points that the world uses when a species becomes extinct ~ "we are too busy to....." Or, when an oil leak devastates the coastline of somewhere ~ "we were in effect too busy cutting corners to make money....." Or, as the world sinks inexorably lower under the weight of apathy, "we didn't make the choices that would have avoided....."
Social network sites can be and should be fun, they can be and should be informative but, they should be "social" where people can share, help and support those issues that lie at the centre of its focus.
If anyone disagrees, please tell me because I for one, believe that we all have choices. We can and should choose to set aside just a few minutes or whatever, to be congruent with the world and with her troubles.
The Red Backed Squirrel Monkey mother and father being slaughtered, butchered, so that their offspring, their baby, can be snatched up and sold on the streets to some ignoramus who will keep it in a cage thinking they are helping.
Or the indigenous ignoramus' who raids the nests of Sea Turtles because they believe the eggs are an aphrodisiac (which they have the total opposite effect in reality).
What on earth is 'man' thinking about. Its selfishness. And not doing or making some excuse for "not doing" is also selfishness and directly contributes to these types of behaviours continuing. There's no need for it but yet, we hear the pat phrase "but its a cultural thing". What a sad situation.
I am interested in nature, wildlife, ecology, conservation. I want to try to make a difference. But as an individual its next to impossible. Please, lets start, lets
So, my apologies if this hurts or offends anyone. But I really do think we should be making progress with this site rather than letting it stagnate. There are so many of you who could help in a positive way. Please, lets start helping.
Michael
What are we doing with this site?
Why are we here?
Are we really interested in nature, conservation, ecology and in other peoples experiences?
Social networking sites (like Eco Watch) are internet based sites where people of similar interests can get together from all parts of the world and from any culture to make friendships, exchange ideas, share experiences and help promote shared values and concerns.
When we started Eco Watch we hoped that we could create a membership of peoples from all around the world who would give of their time, energies and determination in the efforts of helping ecological and wildlife conservation issues.
On several occasions I have tried corresponding with the larger Conservation Groups who to be honest, seem to have deserted their Mission Statements and have become so big that all they are concerned about seems to be income generation for their own salaried positions. I even encountered this with Universities and individuals (during their PhDs) who proclaim their eco-awareness and support. The PhD'ers use nature, conservation or wildlife issues to study and then seem to turn their backs on the very subjects which gave them their qualification
With all this in mind, I had hoped that writing to these institutions as a large and active group may, just may, have made a difference but, you have to have active members participating and sharing. Influence only comes from persuasion but how can we hope to persuade anyone (or anything) if we can't even give time to our own membership.
I have written a number of blogs on here and made remarks, posted photographs and Diana has posted videos as well as shared thoughts but, for whatever reason, socialising, the joining together, just hasn't happened as yet.
In our efforts of living, coping with our own situations, our concerns for our well-being, our home-life, our jobs, our families, we seem to be filled to the brim and not having ANY room for additional issues. Whilst this partly understandable, it is these points that the world uses when a species becomes extinct ~ "we are too busy to....." Or, when an oil leak devastates the coastline of somewhere ~ "we were in effect too busy cutting corners to make money....." Or, as the world sinks inexorably lower under the weight of apathy, "we didn't make the choices that would have avoided....."
Social network sites can be and should be fun, they can be and should be informative but, they should be "social" where people can share, help and support those issues that lie at the centre of its focus.
If anyone disagrees, please tell me because I for one, believe that we all have choices. We can and should choose to set aside just a few minutes or whatever, to be congruent with the world and with her troubles.
The Red Backed Squirrel Monkey mother and father being slaughtered, butchered, so that their offspring, their baby, can be snatched up and sold on the streets to some ignoramus who will keep it in a cage thinking they are helping.
Or the indigenous ignoramus' who raids the nests of Sea Turtles because they believe the eggs are an aphrodisiac (which they have the total opposite effect in reality).
What on earth is 'man' thinking about. Its selfishness. And not doing or making some excuse for "not doing" is also selfishness and directly contributes to these types of behaviours continuing. There's no need for it but yet, we hear the pat phrase "but its a cultural thing". What a sad situation.
I am interested in nature, wildlife, ecology, conservation. I want to try to make a difference. But as an individual its next to impossible. Please, lets start, lets
So, my apologies if this hurts or offends anyone. But I really do think we should be making progress with this site rather than letting it stagnate. There are so many of you who could help in a positive way. Please, lets start helping.
Michael
Add a Comment
-
Comment by Diana Boase on April 23, 2009 at 12:40pm -
Okay.... Why are we here? I am here because I found the time to do something that I am interested in and something I thought would be useful to the many who share the concerns for the environment and are passionate enough to make a difference!
I know many people have joined this group to follow the news stories and see what others post. Some may chat, message, email, privately through the site and that is great, but I hope it will continue to develop and become a more interactive forum for disscussion and debate. I hope the members of ecowatch will be more involved and start to use it to share the news, create awareness in others and lets work on how we can bring about the necessary changes.
Diana
About
Badge
Music
© 2009 Created by Diana Boase on Ning. Create Your Own Social Network
You need to be a member of Eco Watch to add comments!
Join this social network