WWF and state incentives to discriminate against England

The above is a snapshot of part of the World Wide Fund for Nature web site. I'm sure that they have their reasons for describing England as the English Regions and I am equally sure that it has something to do with getting more money out of the Government.

However, where they have miscalculated is that it is likely to lead to them getting less money out of the rest of us.

I've written to them and encourage readers to do the same. I also encourage bloggers to spread the word because once this kind of language change really gets hold it's usually too late to do anything about it.

You know, it really is about time that a list was drawn up of some of the organisations that are helping to carry forward the governments deeply unpopular regional agenda. I'll set one up here on The England Project.

So, if you know of any such organisations please let me know in the comments on this post or via email and I'll start the ball rolling. The list will be called Collaborators because that is what they are. They may think they are organising themselves in a way that maximises their income, and they probably are, but only because the state has made this a requirement and it is a requirement that serves the governments purpose.

If you agree to play by this particular rule then you are collaborating and the result will eventually be the blanket acceptance of the "English Regions" as a credible term.

It seems that Wonko has already started on the hard work.

Gareth points us to this letter received from the WWF for Nature which attempts to explain their collaboration on this issue. Nothing in their letter suitably explains away their use of the government approved language that helps to carry forward the meme that England is a collection of regions rather than a nation in its own right.

meme - ... an idea considered as a replicator, especially with the connotation that memes parasitise people into propagating them much as viruses do.

Memes can be considered the unit of cultural evolution.

...

The term is used especially in the phrase "meme complex" denoting a group of mutually supporting memes that form an organised belief system, such as a religion.

There is absolutely no reason for the WWF for Nature to use the artificial term "English Regions" and it is indicative of their lack of subtlety and understanding of the sensibilities of a proud and currently discriminated against nation. There are other organisations that have managed to work within the governments framework without resorting to insulting language (such as this one - the WWF won't like that!!).

The WWF are being discriminatory. Their excuse is that it simply reflects the way they have organised their charity. Most charities, organisations and companies do not ask their web design team to reflect their internal structures and operating regimes in such a high profile manner in their design proposals but for some reason the WWF for Nature has been seduced into doing so.

Here is the question: If the WWF for Nature were to replace "WWF English Regions" with "WWF England" would they receive less money for their cause? If the answer to that is no then someone in the WWF should prevent further damage by putting a stop to this insulting behaviour.