I think the difference is that you can specify independently verifiable criteria for the selection process and require participants to decide based on those criteria alone without forcing them to become political actors who must directly bear the consequences of political decisions.
Not totally immune to issues of partisanship, but at least somewhat insulated.
Physical Health, mental health, the economy, social disorder, family; we can influence these things that cause stress but often we can't "control" them.
I'm relieved to see another educated person doing this.
It's gotten worse for me lately, where I keep mixing up train stations and locations with similar names or characteristics, so I can totally imagine hearing Thailand and thinking about Indonesia instead.
Not totally immune to issues of partisanship, but at least somewhat insulated.