| Monday, July 09, 2007 |
| The Day After Live Earth |
 I always get a bit punchy the day after a "benefit" concert for a stupid event that will really not amount to a hill of beans, especially something that is supposed to be "green." Really, a concert benefiting the earth, raising awareness of global warming? And, despite your beliefs on the topic, is anyone unaware of the idea of global warming? Superstars, musicians jetting around the earth, spewing jet fuel into the atmosphere, touring around in oversized luxury vehicles and caravans, choking up thousands of watts of electricity to power amps and stage lights to blast noise into a throng of jumping teeny boppers, nostalgic x-ers (if we actually had the money, found a sitter, and cared enough to show up) and aging boomers, who overpaid for a small rainforest that was cut down, processed into glossy tickets and passes, all to help Mother Earth and help stop global warming. Uh, yeah. Does anyone see the hypocrisy? A few did.
Rock group Arctic Monkeys have become the latest music industry stars to question whether the performers taking part in Live Earth on Saturday are suitable climate change activists. "It's a bit patronising for us 21-year-olds to try to start to change the world," said Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, explaining why the group is not on the bill at any of Al Gore's charity concerts. "Especially when we're using enough power for 10 houses just for (stage) lighting. It'd be a bit hypocritical," he told AFP in an interview before a concert in Paris. Bass player Nick O'Malley chimes in: "And we're always jetting off on aeroplanes!" It has rung the same with me as Live 8 which, as I recall, was supposed to bring awareness on poverty. It didn't even raise money. All that happened was you signed up online and saw your name scroll across a giant screen with others, saying you were now aware of global poverty. Is this a new concept to people? Are there those out there not aware that not everyone lives in a large house with electricity and running water, three-squares a day, making $45,000 a year, after taxes? Are they not aware that there are those living on the streets, not sure when the last time they ate, let alone bathed? That the reason a young girl had a child was because she couldn't afford birth control or because this is how life is? That she may not live to 35 due to disease?
How is mere awareness going to stop this?
South Park did a brilliant episode focused on a hippie jam fest. Nine days of music drone on. The progressive-thinking hippies go on and on about how they were going to change the world by having a guy who makes bread and someone else who looks out for everyone's safety.... exchanging goods and services. "It's called a town." the kids state. "You kids just haven't been to college yet," the hippies shoot back, swaying their heads as they pass joints. Stan and Kyle looked around at the hippies, grooving out to the music. Finally bored, Stan speaks up:
| Stan: | Uh, excuse me. Excuse me, can I have your attention please? What are we doing?
[the crowd quiets down]
It's been nine days! Doesn't it seem like we should accomplish something? | | A hippie: |
We're using the power of rock-and-roll to change the world! Woo! [the crowd cheers] | | Stan: |
Maybe instead of complaining about corporations being selfish, we should look at ourselves. I mean, is there anything more selfish than doing nothing but getting high and listening to music all day long?
| | Singer: | He's right. It's time for all of us to focus our energy and get this hippie jam into full swing.
[the band starts up again. They missed his point entirely. Stan just turns right and walks away] |
I love Roger Daltry's observation: "The last thing the world needs is a rock concert." Let's quit planning for a future that may not be there (or in the way we think it will be) and start taking care of the here and now. Our kids. Our parents. Ourselves.
Rock on, Rog. Think I may check out the Arctic Monkeys, too.
To check out which LiveEarth artists was voted Least Green, click here. |
posted by Sara @ 10:24 AM   |
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Name: Sara
Home: gypsy wanderer, United States
About Me: Those who know me find me stubborn, opinionated, open-minded, strong-willed, of some intelligence, and yet they still hang around.
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Love God. Love all. Serve both. There is wisdom in turning as often as possible from the familiar to the unfamiliar: it keeps the mind nimble, it kills prejudice, and it fosters humor.
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