No other disease has a dedicated conference of such a scale. Of course, no other disease also has so much money, so many organisations and so many people dedicated to it.
Malnutrition, infant and maternal mortality, malaria, tuberculosis and other preventable epidemics blight the world, but they don’t have dedicated conferences where people sing and dance, present “papers” say the same things again and again and make declarations.
This is called AIDS-exceptionalism, wherein people argue that AIDS is different.
Is there a single breakthrough that came out of these conferences recently other than profane declarations and meaningless publications? Most certainly no.Sure there were breakthoughs! AIDS/HIV became a headline again and something the media, and people, talked about. Activists, advocates, scientists and politicians all learned more and were energized to do more. And, no small thing in itself, patients saw hope that a brighter future was still a goal that many were working toward.
I dont think AIDS conferences are any different than others. What the author doesnt seem to realize (or agree with) is that conferences serves a purpose of meet-and-greet, who-is-who and human interaction not possible via mail,skype etc. and a chance to be recognized for accomplishments( scientists and researchers needs this) Its a place for ideas, innovations to be shared both in formal and informal settings. Not to mention the publicity and media coverage etc.
The author is just silly and he is not coherent and concise in his criticism. Yawn...
I'm still trying to figure out why this is in the Forums Gatherings topic area ???