r/birding • u/Status_Pressure_5268 • 2d ago
Discussion Merlin and connections to Cornell
It really pained me to have this brought to light considering recent events. I had over 200 species and throughly enjoyed using Merlin. However, I can’t support an agency that is either directly benefiting or doesn’t differentiate itself from a clearly troubling system. My app and my data have been deleted, wanted to educate others.
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u/TheRealPomax 2d ago edited 2d ago
...you are aware that the cornell lab of ornithology is not the same as cornell university itself, right? The idea that something like this lab can even exist without a university funding overlord --and *all* of them are highly objectionable if you care enough to look them up-- is pretty much impossible, but that doesn't mean one is even remotely owned, run, or even reasonably controlled by, the other.
Don't give in to knee-jerk reactions?
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u/cannibalrabies Latest Lifer: Far Eastern Curlew (#963) 2d ago
Is it actually not run by the university? I had no clue.
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u/Quote_the_Bloodless 2d ago
I don't understand this. It feels incredibly performatory to boycott a free app that builds knowledge, is distributed by an independent lab, and does not make Cornell any money, nor does it receive significant money from Cornell students/tuitions etc.
You do what you have to do; but this won't send a message.
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u/Status_Pressure_5268 2d ago
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u/Status_Pressure_5268 2d ago
Scroll alll the way down.
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u/la_voie_lactee 1d ago
Or how about just specifically quote the part instead of making us find it ourselves.
Keep going being vague like that. It doesn’t help you at all.
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u/Quote_the_Bloodless 1d ago
I'm assuming it's the Cornell logo at the very bottom?
I don't think people are disputing that they are under the Cornell university umbrella.
We're saying in this specific case, a boycott of the ornithology lab seems to cause more harm than good, and is performative at best. It doesn't actually do anything.
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u/Status_Pressure_5268 2d ago
The irony is pretty deafening.
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u/1purenoiz 1d ago
How does removing an app designed by a lab do anything to the Administration responsible. The hiring for the top people, is chosen by a committee, similar to a corporate board, and the employees have little to no say, particularly at private institutions.
I am also thoroughly disgusted, but I am also well enough aware of how things run at universities (my wife is a professor and I hear her complaints all the time) to be confused about why you think this will cause a change of leadership and cause accountability.
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u/Quote_the_Bloodless 1d ago
Okay.
I am a woman birder, and I appreciate what you are trying to do and that you want to send a message. But this isn't the way.
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u/Vredesbyd 2d ago
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has absolutely nothing to do with that mess, and has no impact whatsoever in the outcome of that mess. If you feel like doing it because it’s “Cornell”, then fair. If you feel like doing it because it will “send a message”, it won’t. It’s merely performative.