I would like to say a few words about the extravagant events that AIDS Inc. produces to fund its researchers and “help” those infected with "HIV – the virus that causes AIDS". Since I work for the AIDS establishment, I am a captive audience at their shows every time one occurs within my vicinity, or is so important that travel and participation are a requirement. I therefore consider myself capable of judging what actually occurs during these events –- as compared to what is said to occur.
For example, Toronto AIDS 2006 was advertised to deliver advances in AIDS science and "global community" outreach, and the 2006 AIDS Walk for Life in the city where my university is located was claimed to be for the purpose of raising AIDS awareness, as well as money for those infected. Since it costs close to half a million US to keep an "AIDS patient" alive with anti-biologicals and anti-anti-biological chemicals etc., this is no small task and requires constant effort. While the Walk most certainly raised funds and awareness (of a scientific fiasco), AIDS 2006 did not deliver anything remotely close to its billing. Both, however, are excellent examples of contemporary science show biz -- glitz and hypocrisy in equal measures.
The fact that AIDS events are often star studded was always perplexing since the "overwhelming majority" of people at these events have already bought the DVD, the CD and all the marketing toys. So, why are the beautiful people there? Now, as someone who did his fare share of star gazing, I understand. These celebrities (and their accompanying entourages) are carefully and strategically used for the simple and effective purpose of preventing people from thinking.
More AIDS 2006 delegates attended lectures by Richard Greer, Alicia Keys, Bill and Melinda than did all of the scientific sessions combined. While scientists poured out data about one failure after another to rows of empty seats (in the smallest rooms in the Toronto Convention Center), thousands of delegates listened to what a few well known figures “thought” about the AIDS epidemic. Appears to be a good distraction, huh? Well, please do not go away thinking that distracting these scientists and activists is too hard. After all, a large number of delegates I met were so satisfied by the opening ceremony (and concert) that they admitted to not attending any of the other conference associated events.
For those of you wondering how AIDS events can also be venues of hypocrisy (other than the obvious reasons), look no further than the loud promoters of safe sex and serial monogamy who, like certain well known (now) American evangelists, appear to not practice what they preach. While attending gay related events at AIDS 2006, which often promote random sexuality and drug experimentation, I witnessed numerous men, sporting the sunken cheek look, disappear into back bedrooms with one partner and then another over the course of a few hours.
Similar displays abounded at the 2006 AIDS walk where fellow lab members and I noticed men meet and disappear at various points along the walk route. Later that night, at several of the gay bars I frequently visit, I noticed some of the men who I had seen hooking up earlier in the day leaving with different partners to continue the fun.
AIDS ravages communities and destroys lives, and the invisible, but all powerful (like god), "scientific community" refuses to hold a meaningful discussion about its cause. Meanwhile, in the corner of a seminar room at AIDS 2006, two attendess joke about some "chick" they met yesterday, and how one had his way with her. The second offers, with a wink and nod, that the first might need to get tested.
I found it comforting to know that those whose salaries and perks I am paying are every bit as dedicated and serious as I imagined. I'm sure you are too.
Grad. Student studies B-cell immunology at a well known university that is not
in Australia.
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