Like you, I hope that BlogHer will understand that some/many people won’t buy tickets for the next conference without an assurance this won’t happen again. But perhaps BlogHer’s model doesn’t recognize these issues. And perhaps there needs to be a conference – perhaps on a smaller scale – for bloggers who care who the sponsors are.
Jake´s last [type] ..Hands Across the Sand in North Wildwood- New Jersey

Although not all female bloggers who write content about their lives and their ideas would agree on the Nestle issue–I think that a refusal to consider writing an ethical sponsorship would, taken with other events, signal a certain direction. Members, attendees, etc., will need to consider whether that direction is one they wish to go.

On another topic, I respect your position (and decision to not release your ticket) and I hope you still respect those who, after careful consideration, still choose to attend. After reviewing my comments during #NestleFamily, I feel confident I am not being hypocritical in attending. I am less sure, though, I am doing the right thing.

Certainly, wanting to go plays a part. I have never been and it being so close means I can go without being so far from my young family.

At the same time, there is more to it than that. I am also representing an organization that I co-founded and I hope that it has the power to add to the conversation in a constructive way. Speakers, party hosts, editors, and attendees have something to gain by attending but they also have something to give. I think the real key will be how this issue is handled going forward and whether bloggers will continue to believe BlogHer is the place for them.

I think it is very difficult to take a 100% pure position, as your story about the Nestle water demonstrates. Although I respect people who take a closer to pure position than myself on issues they care about, I’m not going to beat myself up for making what I believe to be the best decision under the less than ideal circumstances. I think the question is, in part, where each incident falls along the spectrum (and that will vary from person to person) and how we can plan ahead in the future.

As to why more people are not boycotting–I think it is important to remember there were only a handful of bloggers involved in protesting Nestle during #NestleFamily. And I wonder how many people are unaware of the Nestle sponsorship–since I only found out from the posts I have read. There may be others who care about the issue who do not read the same blogs I do. I wonder, too, if some people have quietly decided not to go or to take their names off the wait list.
Candace @Naturally Educational´s last [type] ..An American Mosaic- Paper Flag Collage

Sorry if it appeared I am calling you a whore. I don’t know you and the content wasn’t directed toward any individual in particular.
Jake´s last [type] ..Hands Across the Sand in North Wildwood- New Jersey

That said, I find it a bit odd that you chose my tongue-in-cheek post about the amount of swag at BlogHer to link to in your post. There were plenty of people who felt there was too much swag; I wasn’t one of them. Perhaps I fall into your whore-y category, although I’d like to think that bringing home various goodies (which I did nothing to earn) to share with family members and friends is hardly akin to prostitution.

I am sorry that you won’t be attending BlogHer. There was a lot of negativity surrounding the event last year and I believe most of it was overblown. Most of the people who complained loudly will attend again this year, which suggests that the good far outweighed the bad. With 1500+ women (and men) in one spot, you’re going to find some bad apples. For the most part, BlogHer is overflowing with intelligent, thoughtful, generous and kind people. I would attend for that alone. The sessions, parties, brands and swag are all extraneous to that.
Christy´s last [type] ..Ptchou- Ptchou-

I do still think good can be done by protesting on site at BlogHer. My guess is that Nestle has made an offer that BlogHer couldn’t refuse and probably won’t refuse in the future.

Sara: Whole Foods has a pretty good mascara; I can’t remember the brand now. For non-natural brands, Shi Uemura is good.

The metaphor was simply intended to express that I don’t immediately cut ties with entities (be they people or organizations) that I feel strongly about because they made a bad decision. I don’t ignore their bad decision, but I also don’t cut off the relationship altogether without giving them an opportunity to improve. I’m not perfect either and I hope that people would also extend me the same courtesy of telling me when I’ve screwed up, but also giving me time and space to improve before they sever ties altogether.

With regards to BlogHer’s contribution to the greater good, it created a community and website that gives women’s voices more power. Through its website and its advertising network, it allows more women to have their voices heard and get paid for doing so. Through its political and advocacy work, it creates opportunities for women to be heard directly by politicians and gives scholarships to international activist writers. It hosts conferences that allow women writers to learn from each other and be inspired by each other.
Annie @ PhD in Parenting´s last [type] ..HopTye- Part wrap- part mei tai

It’s difficult, indeed, to keep track of all of the companies owned by Nestle. I admit to being up on most of them (for example, I know I shouldn’t eat Nestle candy, clearly labeled or feed Purina dog food – less clearly labeled as a Nestle product – to my pets). I’ve made some mistakes which are glaring. Recently I had that moment of “d’oh” when I realized that the one brand of mascara I’ve found that doesn’t burn my eyes and make me look like a raccoon owned by Nestle (Lancome). How did I not know that? Crap!!

Just a few days ago I was asked by a friend if I know anything about the relationship between Red Box and Nestle. She is a huge breastfeeding supporter and got an email offer for a free Red Box rental if she bought a couple of Nestle products. (See http://www.couponingfor4.net/2010/06/free-redbox-rental-at-walgreens-with.html.) I don’t think Nestle owns Red Box but they are apparently doing a lot of co-branding with them. So should one avoid/boycott Red Box? Sometimes I feel like it’s impossible to avoid Nestle, but you can be I am looking for a new mascara brand. Small thing, I know, but really it is a PITA to me.

I respect that you have found a way to protest BlogHer’s choice by donating such a substantial sum to organizations doing work made more difficult by Neslte. I respect that you have a professional opportunity presented by speaking at BlogHer this year. But this deep personal attachment to BlogHer as an organization surprises me.
Jake´s last [type] ..Boycotting BlogHer Because I Boycott Nestle