New Mandala readers who follow efforts to implement a conservation agenda in mainland Southeast Asia are probably already aware of the work of Dr. Alan Rabinowitz. He has been mentioned on this site a few times in the past. But, if the New Mandala daily traffic summary is anything to go by, a lot of other people have just learned of Rabinowitz and his long-running efforts to save tigers in northern Burma’s Kachin State.
It all has to do with an interview that Rabinowitz gave to Stephen Colbert (of Colbert Report fame) earlier in the week.
As a consequence, lots of blogs are now filling up with Rabinowitz-related material. One example has a particularly memorable opening gambit. Reconciliation Ecology begins its discussion of the rights and wrongs of doing environmental work alongside dictators with the line: “As an elitist and a conservationist, I was excited to learn that Stephen Colbert…”. That blog’s long reflection on freedom and ecology, Rabinowitz and ethics, is well worth a visit. And, more generally, it looks like Rabinowitz has more than a few new fans. And let’s forget that he was, as an aside, also featured in a recent National Geographic piece on wildlife survival after Cyclone Nargis.
He’s not just a TV star.
Rabinowitz, the Colbert Report, National Geographic - it all got me thinking. Are there any other academics (of one sort or another) who study mainland Southeast Asia and who have ever (or would ever) get interviewed on a TV show like the Colbert Report? Or even interviewed by National Geographic? Obviously Rabinowitz does work that has appeal to a huge audience. Ecology, and particularly big cats, is sexy stuff. Surely, there must be (or have been) others with their name up in lights. Or is Rabinowitz one of a kind? Is that a good thing?
5 responses so far ↓
1 jonfernquest // Jun 13, 2008 at 12:31 pm
“Are there any other academics (of one sort or another) who study mainland Southeast Asia and who have ever (or would ever) get interviewed on a TV show like the Colbert Report? Or even interviewed by National Geographic? ”
Matthew McDaniel’s film on the Akha on the Chiang Rai-Eastern Shan States border was edited into a whole hour long National Geographic special.
In general though, as far as the most innovative films on humans as opposed to animals, I would look to independent film makers. Ellen Bruno’s work is unparalleled and you don’t see it on prime time national geographic.
2 Grasshopper // Jun 14, 2008 at 3:57 am
In South Korea there are regular shows which feature round table discussions with academics. Sometimes beforehand there is a lecture, and then afterwards the discussion - or it just begins with a Oprah style guest format and unlike Oprah, probably ends with the glittering I AM THE GREATEST KOREAN ACADEMIC ALIVE prize which usually consists of an original copy of The Truth Behind American Beef by Tyler Durden.
What are you fishing for? The intellectualisation of fame? There is none. Fame is very simple for people who are not famous. This blog could make you a potentially famous netizen, so perhaps you could apply to the ABC to take New Mandala to a 2am Tuesday night time slot and use the South Korean shows as examples. It would be hosted by you and feature Dr Walker as the Dr Phil character, ready to correct and offer a new perspective on all things South-East Asian. If it went as well as the Oprah model suggests it can, you’d be able to buy Than Shwe out of power — or even be able to compete with Bhumibol by having giant New Mandala posters on billboards everywhere in Bangkok. Enough money to even influence the mainland South-East Asian affairs that you write about… Yes… I see where this is going!
3 polo // Jun 14, 2008 at 5:59 am
Rabinowitz has long been a dogged promoter of himself as the “great white hunter” xxx make that “great white savior” of the SE Asian tiger and leopard. When you read his writings and listen to his talks on Thailand, that’s how he comes across: snide about Thai assistants, maids and experts. Me, I’d like to find out more about the accusations exchanged by the Thais and Rabinowitz over a leopard killed in a trap in Huay Kha Khaeng. Perhaps he should be lauded for his interrest in helping wild cats, but his self-promotion is a bit too much. But I guess that’s how you get on Stephen Colbert.
4 zao noam // Jun 16, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Rabinowitz in burma is a fascinating account, and i highly recommend reading up on his heavy steps throughout this country to get a glimpse of not only military-conservation alliances, but more generally of militarism [decision-making] in burma.
you can find a few of my previous articles on this man and his big cat conquests online in such articles as irrawaddy (recent book review), etc.
the hukawng valley tiger reserve (hvtr) presents a compelling case study of conservation and governance - when they collude and where they collide.
not only does this tight fit elucidate the murky decision making of a military apparatus, but also the anatomy of international conservation. what does it mean about international conservation when the SPDC latches onto such initiatives inside its country? Since so few outside ‘forces’ are ushered into the country, i think that conservation in burma deserves considerable attention as a window into the workings of the junta.
apart from this more theoretical fascination, the on-the-ground happenings of the hvtr deserves more attention and research, which is admittedly difficult given obvious travel restrictions, etc. (apart from alan and his foreign peers).
but it should be known that alan has left wcs. i am unsure at this point what that means about the hvtr and other wcs projects in burma.
and that wcs-burma is undergoing an apparent change to become more socially enlightened, so i am told, perhaps owing to much past criticism (so i would like to think). several foreign social scientists have visited the site to give recommendations, for example.
but now, even more new players have entered the scene, notably agribusinessmen. the plot thickens. question is, how will the aggrevated local villager/farmers’ voices reach an audience outside of denain?
i welcome more posts on this topic, and sending me any more recent articles about his work in burma as i am admittedly behind on internet postings now that i dont have regular internet access.
5 Madhu // Jun 17, 2008 at 4:49 am
Zao Noam,
Would you mind posting links to the articles you mentioned? Are they part of this website? I’m new here, having discovered this blog only because of the link to my own posting on the Rabinowitz interview. Now I am even more intrigued by your insightful comments and would like to read more.
Conservation and governance is a topic very much central to my blog, and I want to continue addressing these issues further. I would therefore like to read your other writings on this topic, and invite you to drop by my blog once in a while as well.
Madhu
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