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Re: Questions regarding the Vaccine Resistance Network Event @SFU on March 12
A potentially interesting, albeit misinformed, link on this topic and
please note the comments that appear below it:
http://freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/2013/03/oh-that-resistance/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freethoughtblogs%2Fbutterfliesandwheels+%28FTB%3A+Butterflies+and+Wheels%29
Tim Racine
Psychology
On 2 March 2013 08:51, Sam Black <samuelb@sfu.ca> wrote:
> I very much agree with the principle articulated by Paul Percival. (The strategy of managing media publicity is something I know nothing about.)
>
> The anti-vaccine movement has been around for quite a long time to poison the minds of credulous parents. The best way to advertise our ideals as a University to the broader community is for some knowledgeable faculty members to attend the session and debunk the junk science. This would also be a public service -- that might even save some children who would otherwise become very ill.
>
> As Paul also rightly emphasizes combatting error with argument is better than any available alternative mechanism for approving talks held in University-owned space.
>
> Sam Black
> Philosophy
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Paul W. Percival <percival@sfu.ca>
> To: Stacy Pigg <slpigg@gmail.com>
> Cc: JD Fleming <jfleming@sfu.ca>, Nienke Van Houten <nvanhout@sfu.ca>, John O'Neil <joneil@sfu.ca>, academic-discussion@sfu.ca, Anke Kessler <akessler@sfu.ca>, Justin Ankenmann <ankenman@sfu.ca>
> Sent: Sat, 02 Mar 2013 00:14:46 -0800 (PST)
> Subject: Re: Questions regarding the Vaccine Resistance Network Event @SFU on March 12
>
> I sincerely hope that there is no value judgment of venue rental
> requests. Who would you trust as the arbiter of what is acceptable? I
> agree that this group, Vaccine Resistance Movement, is spouting
> dangerous nonsense, but I defend their right to do so. The original
> post by Anke Kessler gives the wrong impression with the phrase "an
> event that our institution is hosting". Space is being rented by SFU,
> nothing more.
>
> Nienke van Houten suggests that the University might make a statement
> disassociating itself from the opinions expressed by this group. In my
> opinion that is not appropriate. Rather, I suggest one or more of the
> following strategies:
> Knowledgeable individuals might attend the event (without paying; the
> ad says that no one will be turned away) to challenge false claims made
> by the speakers;
> Individuals or groups may choose to protest (peacefully) outside the
> venue;
> The Dean of Health Sciences and other expert faculty could offer
> media interviews and write opinion pieces or letters-to-the editor
> providing evidence to counter the claims of the anti-vaccine lobby.
> Surely this is what we should do as academics: provide reasoned
> arguments, not outrage.
>
> There is a danger, however, in making any response, namely that it might
> bring publicity to a group whose message we would rather went unheard.
> So be prepared, but play it gently, I suggest.
>
> Paul Percival
>
>
> On 01/03/2013 4:49 PM, Stacy Pigg wrote:
>> As JD Fleming points out, this does appear to be a situation of the
>> free-market renting of space. This is why I am curious to know whether
>> such venue requests are somehow considered or judged or evaluated
>> (whether SFU ever declines to rent space to groups on the basis of the
>> content of the event).
>>
>> SFU is a "brand" (as we know by the major financial investment in
>> rebranding that has occurred). Is the SFU brand being appropriated here?
>> Is the SFU brand affected by hosting this group?
>>
>> Stacy
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 1, 2013 at 1:22 PM, JD Fleming <jfleming@sfu.ca
>> <mailto:jfleming@sfu.ca>> wrote:
>>
>> Glancing over the event website, I do not see any indication (unless
>> I am missing something) that this group has been invited by SFU
>> event planners or is claiming any academic association with SFU. My
>> assumption would be that they are paying for the very fine
>> conference space and services offered at market rates by SFU MECS,
>> just as many other non-academic and non-SFU groups do. However, this
>> case certainly does raise some interesting questions as to whether
>> SFU MECS may associate the university, willy-nilly, with groups that
>> do not pass smell test.
>>
>> JD Fleming
>> English
>>
>
> --
> Dr Paul Percival
> Professor of Chemistry
> Simon Fraser University and TRIUMF
> percival@sfu.ca
> percival@triumf.ca
> http://chemistry.sfu.ca/people/profiles/percival
>
>
> --
> ***********************************
> ***********************************
> Sam Black
> Associate Prof. Philosophy, SFU