Nick's Collingwood Bulletin Board Forum Index
 The RulesThe Rules FAQFAQ
   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   CalendarCalendar   SearchSearch 
Log inLog in RegisterRegister
 
MND and stuff

Users browsing this topic:0 Registered, 0 Hidden and 0 Guests
Registered Users: None

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Nick's Collingwood Bulletin Board Forum Index -> Victoria Park Tavern
 
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
RudeBoy 



Joined: 28 Nov 2005


PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:20 pm
Post subject: MND and stuffReply with quote

I expect I'll be condemned by many of my fellow Nicksters for saying this, but I dislike all celebrity charity campaigns. Of course I think we should do more to find a cure for MND, just as we should for a host of other terrible diseases.

However, just because a public figure is afflicted, whether its (the incredibly brave) Neal Daniher or Glen McGrath's former wife, I resent the distortion of attention and resources being directed to these issues, when there are a whole range of possibly more deserving (of resources) health issues.

Let's ensure that this nation properly funds health care, including health research, and then let the experts (not the mob) allocate resources accordingly.

I've had my rant and now I'll crawl under my wet blanket. Wink
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message  
thesoretoothsayer 



Joined: 26 Apr 2017


PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:48 pm
Post subject: Reply with quote

There are two separate issues here.

1. Celebrity advocacy of a worthwhile cause.
These things are good.
They get the public to contribute money to causes (e.g. MND) that they would never have thought to donate too.

2. Politicians pledging public money to a cause based on PR rather than need.
This, of course, is bad.
It, unfortunately, happens all the time. Especially when an election is due.
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message  
RudeBoy 



Joined: 28 Nov 2005


PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:26 pm
Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess my concern is that a particular charity becomes 'more worthy' than others when a celebrity embraces it.

For instance, I have heard medical scientists bemoaning the fact that the 'McGrath Foundation' has had the effect of diverting resources away from other areas of, arguably more important, need.

There are many areas of medical science in urgent need of funding, but they are not necessarily 'sexy' enough to attract public attention.

I'd much rather a panel of medical scientists make these important decisions, than a bunch of footy jocks.

But that aint the world we live in I guess. Sad
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message  
BazBoy 



Joined: 11 Sep 2014


PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 5:07 pm
Post subject: Reply with quote

When Geo.Adams imported Tattersalls from Tasmania to Victoria in the 1950,s the Victorian State Gov. came out with this statement as if to justify it

“The Victorian Government will recieve a levy from Tattersalls which it is expected to eliminate charity appeals comepletely”

And again in the 70,s Tattslotto arrive with the same blurb but of course the two decades between these event and currently we still have a plethora of appeals

_________________
I'm not arguing--just explaining why i am right
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message  
Mugwump 



Joined: 28 Jul 2007
Location: Between London and Melbourne

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:27 pm
Post subject: Reply with quote

Firstly, credit to you for thinking outside nodding convention.

On the topic itself, I suspect it is harmless to lightly positive, to be honest.

There is no “proper” level of government funding for medical research, let alone for MND within the overall med res budget. How much we spend on med res, vs in-home nursing support, education, defence etc is largely a matter of political and bureaucratic convention. Campaigns like this alter the convention, partly by bringing a little more dedicated public money into the total spend, and partly by pressuring funds from other government priorities to MND.

To the extent it brings in money in that would otherwise be spent at Crown Casino, or be saved by wealthy individuals, or spent on sugary drinks, etc then the freeze campaign is a net good. But it’s very nearly impossible to know that. To the extent it forces money from other areas it may do harm, but it’s also impossible to know that. We are dealing with Rumsfeld’s “unknowns”, here.

I suspect the only certain benefits of the campaign are that it has given one sufferer of this very dreadful disease a meaning and purpose, and raised public awareness of the plight of those who have it. At a minimum, I don’t see how that can be a bad thing.... as long as it doesn’t help Melbourne win.

But you are right, in that this campaign is less obviously positive than might be blithely assumed. Good that someone had the perception to question it.

_________________
Two more flags before I die!
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message  
David Libra

I dare you to try


Joined: 27 Jul 2003
Location: Andromeda

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:34 pm
Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree completely with your sentiments, Rudeboy, though with the caveat that it may not be a zero-sum thing: perhaps the Queen’s Birthday MND campaign isn’t really taking anything else’s place in terms of public awareness or funding. If that’s the case, then I think it’s a good thing. If not (and it’s true that there’s not a limitless bucket of funds for disease research, and nor an unlimited supply of public interest in charitable giving), then I totally share your dismay at the prioritisation of celebrity campaigns regardless of actual community need.

(Edit: I can see that Mugwump has expressed more or less the same sentiments more eloquently above. What ‘e said!)

Celebrity-led charities, on the other hand, I look on with deep suspicion, and reckon that, more often than not, they’re dodgy money-making and/or easy PR schemes. Just look at the Shane Warne foundation. Charity, not patriotism, is the real last refuge of the scoundrel.

_________________
All watched over by machines of loving grace
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger  
stui magpie Gemini

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.


Joined: 03 May 2005
Location: In flagrante delicto

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:31 pm
Post subject: Reply with quote

^

Is there a big difference between the two though?

Warne set up a foundation which raised money for different causes.

The Daniher led MND campaign also raises money for a foundation which then apportions that money to research, as does carrie bickmores brain cancer foundation and the Reiwoldt cousins Maddies vision.

I have some empathy for Rudies viewpoint, but tend to agree more wth you and Mugwump. Funding toward research rarely goes to the greatest need, from my understanding it's far more aligned with "flavour of the month", whether that be lead by celebrity foundations or the various lobby groups all agitating for funding

_________________
Every dead body on Mt Everest was once a highly motivated person, so maybe just calm the **** down.
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message  
Pies4shaw Leo

pies4shaw


Joined: 08 Oct 2007


PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:58 pm
Post subject: Reply with quote

Discretionary expenditure influenced by fashion? I don't believe it.
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message  
swoop42 Virgo

Whatcha gonna do when he comes for you?


Joined: 02 Aug 2008
Location: The 18

PostPosted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 2:07 pm
Post subject: Reply with quote

There isn't a cure for this disease and we need to find one.

It's pretty simple really and a celebrity or in this case a football identity using his terminal illness to raise money and awareness in the hope of fast tracking medical advancement that will aid others is a noble use of fame I would have thought.

Honestly, some of you.

_________________
He's mad. He's bad. He's MaynHARD!
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message  
think positive Libra

Side By Side


Joined: 30 Jun 2005
Location: somewhere

PostPosted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 4:49 pm
Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree swoop. Pisses me off that the umps last year seemed to get swept away, but I still by a freeze hat every year. My first job at GMH, we were all friends, stayed in contact, one if the guys was diagnosed with this horrid disease, a stroppy fit healthy nice guy, he lasted just 12 months, and died a horrible tortured death. Whatever it takes.
_________________
You cant fix stupid, turns out you cant quarantine it either!
Back to top  
View user's profile Send private message  
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Nick's Collingwood Bulletin Board Forum Index -> Victoria Park Tavern All times are GMT + 11 Hours

Page 1 of 1   

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Privacy Policy

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group