A lot of that is going to depend on the final resolution of these matters.
Whether or not he should speak at public gatherings, I'm a capitalist, let the market decide. However, I think he should be forced to wear a T-Shirt that says, "Rip the Conservation chapter out of my book" if he does. Whether what he did was criminal or whether it was stupidity, I've lost respect for him and I originally just wanted some basic questions answered.
There has been great concern on several boards and the latest on RAG about the qualifications and integrity of Eric Borneman.
Should Eric Borneman be welcome or allowed to be a speaker at this years or future IMAC or MACNA's if he does not respond to the 6000 views on the current RAG thread?
Disturbing... not really. But definatly different.
I was going to put up a poll also.
If EB does not reply to concerns on this thread, should he be welcome or allowed as a speaker at this or future IMAC's or MACNA's?
Yes or No.
The people running the show would obviously have final say. However, I don't see any special problem with letting him speak. As pointed out, he's written some decent books, and has at least some knowledge on the subject. By the same token, questions should not generally be restricted.
If someone asks a question about "the corals", he should answer something, even if it's just to say he's not going to get into that again.
As a note, if he does decline to answer questions on "the corals", he is still a guest speaker and that wish should be respected. No repeat asking of the same question.
While I do believe EB has some explaining to do to the hobby, being a guest speaker does not put him on trial.
Now what might be extremely interesting would be to see MDP ask EB a few questions about salt and SG and so on. I might be willing to pay extra for that!
Additional thoughts added via edit ...
Curt brings up some good points. For people that feel this way, don't go to the shows, or go to someone else's presentation, go to EBs show and ask some tough questions.
Curt, with all the concern on several boards and now on RAG (6000+ views), he should make a reply that provides resonable answers.
If not, then why allow him to continue to hood-wink the masses.
I posted my thoughts after I sat through one of his presentations. More questions were raised vs. answered. More lame aquarium keeping procedure was promoted than common sense would tolerate.
IMO, he should step up to the plate or get the freeze.
__________________
Michael Del Prete
CEO Aqua Craft Products www.AquaCraft.net
It depends on what y'all mean by "allowed/welcome." It's up to the conference coordinators to decide who to invite to speak. And they usually pick whoever will draw a crowd. And Eric does tend to draw a crowd. Should he? Well, that's debatable...
Personally, I've found most his lectures exceedingly boring and doubt I'll be voluntarily suffering any more of them anytime soon.
Curt, with all the concern on several boards and now on RAG (6000+ views), he should make a reply that provides resonable answers.
If not, then why allow him to continue to hood-wink the masses.
I posted my thoughts after I sat through one of his presentations. More questions were raised vs. answered. More lame aquarium keeping procedure was promoted than common sense would tolerate.
I completely hear where you're coming from here Mike. However, let me explain myself better. (Additionally, he might have an attorney saying, "Don't you dare respond to any of those threads".) Just throwin' that out for thought. Actually, if it turns out that he DOESN'T have an attorney telling him not to speak, then my current disappointment in him will rise substantially.
Let's imagine a Trade Group which is nothing more than a group of people combined together by a common business interest. Let's also imagine that one of the leaders of this trade group continually tells people that 2 + 2 = 5 and 60% of the membership dutifully says, "Yes, Oh master 2 + 2 = 5". The other 40% are freaking out and saying FOUR, THE ANSWER IS FOUR, FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?
If the 60% want to pay to hear bad info, that's their right IMO.
On the other hand, I have the right to say simply that 2 + 2 = 4. That's the truth. Take it or leave it. I don't care what your trade group leader says, that's the truth.
You know, I didn't do a good job on that post either. People want to hear what they are doing is right. If they have a leader who says XYZ and that matches what they are doing, anyone who isn't a leader who disagrees with what XYZ says must be attacked.
Over the years, I've adopted a "You can only help people who want to be helped attitude" and that might make the previous post make more sense.
With that said, I truly believe that we deserve and answer from Eric but I don't think we're going to get one.
If he has been advised by council to not speak on this subject, he should have indicated this a while back.
That would have put an end to any and all gossip, speculation, etc. As it stands now he appears to be hiding.
When someone indicates they are working on current and future projects and concerns expressed by many are in the past.... That tells me someone wants to forget about this. The reality is, these concerns are not going to go away.
Aside from the core issue of mishandled corals and possible illegal actions, his aquarium keeping skills are now under scrutiny. Do we want someone with basic or limited aquarium keeping skills advising us on aquarium technique? Do we want someone with possible integrity problems being considered an "industry leader"? Do we want a hack representing aquarists?
IMO, it is too late to use the "advised by council" defense.
__________________
Michael Del Prete
CEO Aqua Craft Products www.AquaCraft.net
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