Comments on: The problem with Live Earth http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2007/07/08/the-problem-with-live-earth/ Everyone has a right to my opinions Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:33:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Robert Sharp » Blog Archive » Anticipating History http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2007/07/08/the-problem-with-live-earth/#comment-133615 Robert Sharp » Blog Archive » Anticipating History Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:22:10 +0000 http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2007/07/08/the-problem-with-live-earth/#comment-133615 [...] is so much anticipation, I am reminded of how I felt around the time of the Live Earth concerts. The constant analysis (how will this affect the polls; will he deliver?; &tc) threatens the [...] [...] is so much anticipation, I am reminded of how I felt around the time of the Live Earth concerts. The constant analysis (how will this affect the polls; will he deliver?; &tc) threatens the [...]

]]> By: Kathy http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2007/07/08/the-problem-with-live-earth/#comment-89406 Kathy Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:08:52 +0000 http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2007/07/08/the-problem-with-live-earth/#comment-89406 It was a shame that two very similar concerts were held on consecutive weekends. The original will always have the greater impact but in the case of the concert for Diana, I think the boys were justified in doing that - in our family we do not give up on family birthday teas just because we have had one recently - they come thick and fast and are all enjoyed for something different that the participants bring to the table - food wise and social exchange. I think that was a good way to remember Diana. When I hear Ricky Gervais I never know whether it is a joke or not - part of his appeal I think - the filling in prior to Elton John? and then the bit about the jets flying in the bands at the Live earth - says it how it is It was a shame that two very similar concerts were held on consecutive weekends. The original will always have the greater impact but in the case of the concert for Diana, I think the boys were justified in doing that - in our family we do not give up on family birthday teas just because we have had one recently - they come thick and fast and are all enjoyed for something different that the participants bring to the table - food wise and social exchange. I think that was a good way to remember Diana.

When I hear Ricky Gervais I never know whether it is a joke or not - part of his appeal I think - the filling in prior to Elton John? and then the bit about the jets flying in the bands at the Live earth - says it how it is

]]> By: Shawn Micallef http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2007/07/08/the-problem-with-live-earth/#comment-89309 Shawn Micallef Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:07:40 +0000 http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2007/07/08/the-problem-with-live-earth/#comment-89309 Oh come on! To use a cliche, "you've got to spend money to make money"....so the ecological cost of this big event is tiny compared to so much of everyday life. And if it is able to change a little bit, so be it. I'm cynical about these events too....the Diana thing and what not....but I do think such a large scale thing can only help the cause. Lend legitimacy to a million tiny arguments between parents, like me telling my dad to replace old light bulbs, or something. This is when Madonna can really show her power. Oh come on! To use a cliche, “you’ve got to spend money to make money”….so the ecological cost of this big event is tiny compared to so much of everyday life. And if it is able to change a little bit, so be it.

I’m cynical about these events too….the Diana thing and what not….but I do think such a large scale thing can only help the cause. Lend legitimacy to a million tiny arguments between parents, like me telling my dad to replace old light bulbs, or something. This is when Madonna can really show her power.

]]> By: Matt Munro http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2007/07/08/the-problem-with-live-earth/#comment-89251 Matt Munro Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:15:40 +0000 http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2007/07/08/the-problem-with-live-earth/#comment-89251 The ennui isn't just a problem for the audience. Some bloke (I forget who, he was in a band composed entirely of people young enough to be my children) said "save the polar bears" at some point on saturday, and at the G8 event Robbie Williams, when being interviewed, clearly had absolutely no idea what the "cause" was. The proliferation of these events has led to, or at least reflects, the commodotisation of single issue politics. We now have a pick and mix approach to causes, consuming them like franchise store coffee and imagining that they say something unique and intersting about us. I only saw a few minitues of it, but the problem which Live Earth had, to a greater degree than other similar concerts, is that it threw an even sharper focus on the paradox inherent in all global charity events. We see the (private) jet set burning megawatts of power, and an audience of (alledgely) billions burning even more power to watch/listen to it on TV/Internet. I don't know the maths of carbon footprints and I'm not a follower of the eco-religion, but even through my cynical eyes, never has "the solution" looked more like the problem. The ennui isn’t just a problem for the audience. Some bloke (I forget who, he was in a band composed entirely of people young enough to be my children) said “save the polar bears” at some point on saturday, and at the G8 event Robbie Williams, when being interviewed, clearly had absolutely no idea what the “cause” was.
The proliferation of these events has led to, or at least reflects, the commodotisation of single issue politics. We now have a pick and mix approach to causes, consuming them like franchise store coffee and imagining that they say something unique and intersting about us.
I only saw a few minitues of it, but the problem which Live Earth had, to a greater degree than other similar concerts, is that it threw an even sharper focus on the paradox inherent in all global charity events. We see the (private) jet set burning megawatts of power, and an audience of (alledgely) billions burning even more power to watch/listen to it on TV/Internet. I don’t know the maths of carbon footprints and I’m not a follower of the eco-religion, but even through my cynical eyes, never has “the solution” looked more like the problem.

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