I have always been a fan of the National Geographic, but I do have a major concern. Firstly, let me start by asking, how can a company that is apparently so in-tune with the world in which we live be so ruthless and heartless when it comes to the lives of creatures? I was disgusted to find out that the creatures used as 'free gifts' with your magazines, are in fact real and are in fact being used as a buying incentive to raise their magazine subscriptions. I thought that educating and also protecting the environment were two of their main concerns. Does the phrase, 'Inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888' come to mind? It should do, as this is National Geographic's website's tag line and favourite sentence! I can't even begin to try and understand the conflict in their beliefs. You can't claim to be 'for the planet' when you are killing for profit! I do understand that the bugs and creatures are 'farmed' and do not affect the natural balance and populations of the creatures, but I think it's utterly disgusting and actually evil to use the death of any living thing as a 'free' gift. Their website is full of stories of animals facing extinction and that are threatened by humans, but it's O.K to farm creatures that aren't in danger of extinction and seal them in a tomb of resin? No, it's not. Their words have lost a lot of meaning and I have lost a lot of respect for The National Geographic. Is there no way of educating people and children without something dying? You have to practice what you preach and if it truly is their mission to inspire and educate, then they would surely find a way of doing so without killing.

One last thing, do they use recycled paper for their magazines? No? -I didn't think so!

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Jack Dempsey.