The Ethos Behind Pictures of Cats Org
by Michael
(London, UK)
I think that it is useful to reiterate or clarify the ethos behind Pictures of Cats org (PoC), this website. It is, after all, a very important part of the website. The reason why I want to make it clear is because some visitors might see PoC differently from me.
The ethos behind the site is to work towards making the world a better place for the domestic, stray and feral cat. What it can achieve will be small but every little bit helps.
In order to achieve that we must be prepared to state the truth without fear or favour. The truth is hard to come by sometimes but an important underlying element of this site is to address the reality, the truth and to examine it on an international scale as websites are automatically international in scope.
The international element is important as it means that a person from one country will write about a person or certain people from another country. There might be criticism but that is not racism. We must be free to criticise what is wrong and praise what is right.
Where there is wrong doing an attempt should be made to correct it. Where there is good praise should be forthcoming.
But the starting point must be the truth because how else can we decide what to do to improve things? Often people are blind to reality. We are all selective in what we see and digest. Standing back and looking at the big picture objectively is the only way to seek the truth about what is going in the cat world.
Anyone is welcome to submit their point of view and through polite discussion the true reality of what is happening should become clearer.
There are many cat websites. Almost all of them but not this one, look at the world of cats from a limited perspective. They do not address the moral issues, the good and bad but simply describe what is happening. They take a neutral stance and often present a rosier point of view than absolute truth demands.
Talking truthfully about things can be unpleasant and people often don’t want to hear it or simply don’t see it.
But as I personally seek the truth and as it is my website that is the ethos behind Pictures of Cats org.
It cannot be as successful without visitor’s comments and stories. Everyone (equally), including me, has the right to say what is in their heart on this site and that freedom must not be eroded by a fear of being shot down.
If people disagree, that is fine. They can argue their case, make their point – politely but firmly. Through argument, a better understanding of what is truly happening in the cat world can be discovered.
This ethos does not preclude the need to have some fun on PoC and the more the better.