Confessions of a Fanboy

Live Earth will do for the environment what Live 8 and Live Aid did for Africa, maybe less. I would say the African continent is continuing its disintegration two years after Live 8 but that might mislead you into believing things improved after Live Aid in the ’80s, only to lose ground in the 20 years that followed.

Africa was in dire straights in the ’80s. Concerts were held, songs were written, videos were made. Africa then fell off the map as a “cool” issue until Bono revived as the 20th Century ended. I’m not blaming Bono or Bob Geldoff for the state of Africa, but their humanitarian efforts have yet to lead to anything more than getting Roger Waters and David Gilmour back on a single stage for 20 minutes. That was an historic and unexpected achievement, but Nambians were less than impressed. They rightly panned Gilmour as stiff, Waters as often off-key, and remained skeptical the promised aid would ever arrive.

The problem with these spectacles was brilliantly summed up by the most obvious of candidates, Oasis’ Noel Gallagher.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but are they hoping that one of these guys from the G8 is on a quick 15-minute break at Gleneagles and sees Annie Lennox singing “Sweet Dreams” and thinks, ‘Fuck me, she might have a point there, you know?’ And Keane doing “Somewhere Only We Know” and some Japanese businessman going, ‘Aw, look at him… we should really fucking drop that debt, you know.’ It’s not going to happen, is it?”

I’m not suggesting that compassion is a waste of time, but having one’s heart in the right place often indicates an individual or group who is at best chasing windmills. People who achieve results are rarely admired for the location of their heart but for the fruit of their labor and the difference they make. Compassion that doesn’t lead to action is empty. Actions that don’t achieve results are a waste of time. Awareness that ends the moment the channel changes is meaningless.

Regardless of where you come out on the global warming debate, I don’t think anyone would argue we are not better served by using our resources more efficiently and being more aware of worldwide living conditions. The situation in Africa is heartbreaking, devastating, and overwhelming. I don’t have a problem with the causes – or a cause – in theory. I have a problem with bombastic benefits that overshadow the cause with celebrity sanctimony. I object to made for TV events that do little more than fill hours of programming.

Even if people tune in, they have to be turned on. The star-studded event might get music fans excited – although when I look at that lineup, I’m not one of them – but will it engage and educate the average fan on the politics of global warming? If the average fan is engaged, how long will that last? How many people make insane amounts of money as motivational speakers? Have you looked at your fellow man lately? How many of them still look motivated?

The only way Fergie’s humps can impact global warming is if she promises to recycle the plastic it took to re-engineer her appearance. Dave Matthews Band couldn’t get John Kerry elected in 2004, maybe they’ll have better luck getting people to ride bicycles – and not tour buses that improperly dispose of solid waste.

Serious issues require serious responses and staging worldwide rock concerts seems to fall far short of that. Just ask Africa. If you are interested in doing something to help Africa, Blood:Water Mission is a charity I favor and have supported. If you’re interested in helping the environment, turn off the television and don’t watch what is sure to be some truly awful music at the Live Earth event or consider donating money to the responsible charity of your choice.

Filed under: Tags: Fanboy Manifesto