Would you feel the same way about a conference you were paid a fee for speaking at?
One way of averting this could be to give participants an amount of money to allocate to a charity of their choice, instead of paying them (like on celebrity game shows).
If I’m paid to speak, that’s not suspicious; if I’m paid to listen (in any way), that’s suspicious.
Edit: Actually now that I work for government, being paid to speak is a little suspicious, and I am required to decline and report paid speaking invitations! Because it’s an easy cover for bribery. But in general I don’t think it’s suspicious.
Ok, yes in my proposal I say “it should be made clear that the fee is equivalent to a “speakers fee” and people shouldn’t feel obliged to “tow the party line”, but rather speak their opinions freely.” There would be some listening involved too though. I also say “In addition to (or in place of) the fee, there could be prestige incentives like having a celebrity (or someone highly respected/venerated by the particular group) on the panel or moderating, or hosting it at a famous/prestigious venue”. But maybe this would also arouse suspicion.
Would you feel the same way about a conference you were paid a fee for speaking at?
One way of averting this could be to give participants an amount of money to allocate to a charity of their choice, instead of paying them (like on celebrity game shows).
If I’m paid to speak, that’s not suspicious; if I’m paid to listen (in any way), that’s suspicious.
Edit: Actually now that I work for government, being paid to speak is a little suspicious, and I am required to decline and report paid speaking invitations! Because it’s an easy cover for bribery. But in general I don’t think it’s suspicious.
Ok, yes in my proposal I say “it should be made clear that the fee is equivalent to a “speakers fee” and people shouldn’t feel obliged to “tow the party line”, but rather speak their opinions freely.” There would be some listening involved too though. I also say “In addition to (or in place of) the fee, there could be prestige incentives like having a celebrity (or someone highly respected/venerated by the particular group) on the panel or moderating, or hosting it at a famous/prestigious venue”. But maybe this would also arouse suspicion.