As mentioned in yesterday’s post, I am not going into Philly for Live 8. But I’ll be watching all day.
And wondering.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m looking forward to the music. And I’m proud of Philly for being a host (even as I have my fingers crossed for a disaster-free day). But I have to wonder… how does this achieve the goal of raising awareness about the struggles of people in Africa?
Maybe I’m just being a curmudgeon because the coffee isn’t ready yet. Or I’m too old. Or I’m one of those irritating cynics who, at heart, are profoundly innocent, and who hate seeing the better nature of mankind squashed by ignorance and greed over and over again. Enough grumbling. I will try to be sunny and optimistic about this. In fact, I’ll drop in here throughout the day with my thoughts about the extravaganza.
Now where’s that coffee?
10:30am update: I’ve been using my frustration to pack books. And I keep checking Live 8 news. Local news reports that Michael Jackson will not be performing. Thank God.
11:30 am. This is the Live 8 blog I’m following. I used to work with this guy when I was a reporter.
Noon. Coffee has kicked in and I am trying not to be cranky and cynical. But I sure hope that they have voter registration booths set up. If you want to make a difference, register and vote. If you want to make a HUGE difference, get involved with the party of your choice at the grassroots level. If enough people did that, we could remake the political landscape in two years. (Opening with Sgt. Pepper is fun.)
1:46 pm – Will Smith for President!! Will Smith for World Emperor! That was the best performance, IMHO.
2:06pm – Here’s a radical idea – have MTV and VH1 donate their profits from all the incredibly annoying commercials. You could use that money to feed, clothe and educate people all over the world.
2:19pm – I vow to work out until my shoulders are are cut as Madonna’s. (That is one of those lines you never think you’re going to write.)
2:39pm – We just enjoyed 2 seconds of Dave Matthews. (I counted.) Thank you, MTV. Thank you very much. Because you gave me what I really wanted: another commercial for Bewitched.
2:44pm – we come back from commercial in time for three seconds at the end of a Dave Matthews song. Now he’s talking… now he’s playing. I love this guy. Off to listen. I hope.
2:50 pm – they almost let us hear the whole song. Sigh. I have to get ready for a graduation party.
Good point!
I guess this raises awareness because all the people in the audience (at the concerts and at home watching TV) will hear the stars talk about it…but it really doesn’t seem the best way. Live Aid raised tons of money, which went directly to starving people in Ethiopia. But they’re not raising money for Live 8, are they? Something to think about…and I’ve only had a couple of sips of coffee so far this morning!
Good point!
I guess this raises awareness because all the people in the audience (at the concerts and at home watching TV) will hear the stars talk about it…but it really doesn’t seem the best way. Live Aid raised tons of money, which went directly to starving people in Ethiopia. But they’re not raising money for Live 8, are they? Something to think about…and I’ve only had a couple of sips of coffee so far this morning!
Good point!
I guess this raises awareness because all the people in the audience (at the concerts and at home watching TV) will hear the stars talk about it…but it really doesn’t seem the best way. Live Aid raised tons of money, which went directly to starving people in Ethiopia. But they’re not raising money for Live 8, are they? Something to think about…and I’ve only had a couple of sips of coffee so far this morning!
I think they should have charged something minimal like $2 a head. With the 400,000 people at each of the 8 venues, they’re bound to make a lot of money, but people will still go because it’s so cheap.
It also bothers me how MTV and VH1 focus on Philadelphia for most of the time. Helloooo? Pink Floyd is getting back together. MONUMENTAL. But no, we have to watch ‘Black Eyed Peas’ or something like that. I think London should be on one channel and Philly on another.
I think they should have charged something minimal like $2 a head. With the 400,000 people at each of the 8 venues, they’re bound to make a lot of money, but people will still go because it’s so cheap.
It also bothers me how MTV and VH1 focus on Philadelphia for most of the time. Helloooo? Pink Floyd is getting back together. MONUMENTAL. But no, we have to watch ‘Black Eyed Peas’ or something like that. I think London should be on one channel and Philly on another.
“London should be on one channel and Philly on another”
THAT is a great idea.
I agree! I dont like all this switching back and forth from different places stuff. Oh well its still cool tho!
You did get to see the Pink Floyd reunion. I watched it. 🙂
I cried. Comfortably Numb came on and just.. agh. 🙂
But then the VJ’s had to start talking and ruin it.
I saw Pink Floyd in concert in 1993. I was 6.
I pray every night for a ‘reunited’ tour.
I think they should have charged something minimal like $2 a head. With the 400,000 people at each of the 8 venues, they’re bound to make a lot of money, but people will still go because it’s so cheap.
It also bothers me how MTV and VH1 focus on Philadelphia for most of the time. Helloooo? Pink Floyd is getting back together. MONUMENTAL. But no, we have to watch ‘Black Eyed Peas’ or something like that. I think London should be on one channel and Philly on another.
i was thinkin the exact same thing!! sure i love music and i love being able to watch it in my basement as opposed to in icky Philly but i dont c how it raises awarness either…btw i went by ur house the other day but i wasnt sure which one it was…but i love that neighborhood 🙂
~Liz~
i was thinkin the exact same thing!! sure i love music and i love being able to watch it in my basement as opposed to in icky Philly but i dont c how it raises awarness either…btw i went by ur house the other day but i wasnt sure which one it was…but i love that neighborhood 🙂
~Liz~
I think the house is painted blue now. It’s at the bottom of the hill, on the corner of Berkeley Dr. and Dorset. House number is 113. I had the best childhood ever in that house!!!
i was thinkin the exact same thing!! sure i love music and i love being able to watch it in my basement as opposed to in icky Philly but i dont c how it raises awarness either…btw i went by ur house the other day but i wasnt sure which one it was…but i love that neighborhood 🙂
~Liz~
“London should be on one channel and Philly on another”
THAT is a great idea.
“London should be on one channel and Philly on another”
THAT is a great idea.
I think the house is painted blue now. It’s at the bottom of the hill, on the corner of Berkeley Dr. and Dorset. House number is 113. I had the best childhood ever in that house!!!
I think the house is painted blue now. It’s at the bottom of the hill, on the corner of Berkeley Dr. and Dorset. House number is 113. I had the best childhood ever in that house!!!
I agree! I dont like all this switching back and forth from different places stuff. Oh well its still cool tho!
I agree! I dont like all this switching back and forth from different places stuff. Oh well its still cool tho!
I must live in a bubble cause I didn’t realize Live8 was happening at the Art Museum, so it was pretty weird to turn on MTV and see all of that going on a few blocks from my brother’s house! (Or maybe I don’t live in a bubble so much as I live in Seattle now, away from hometown-Philly) ABC is doing highlights tonight, right? Gotta see the Bono . . .
I must live in a bubble cause I didn’t realize Live8 was happening at the Art Museum, so it was pretty weird to turn on MTV and see all of that going on a few blocks from my brother’s house! (Or maybe I don’t live in a bubble so much as I live in Seattle now, away from hometown-Philly) ABC is doing highlights tonight, right? Gotta see the Bono . . .
I must live in a bubble cause I didn’t realize Live8 was happening at the Art Museum, so it was pretty weird to turn on MTV and see all of that going on a few blocks from my brother’s house! (Or maybe I don’t live in a bubble so much as I live in Seattle now, away from hometown-Philly) ABC is doing highlights tonight, right? Gotta see the Bono . . .
ah ha. the AOL web cast is better than the MTV/VH1. Feed from all of the cities. No commercials.
ah ha. the AOL web cast is better than the MTV/VH1. Feed from all of the cities. No commercials.
ah ha. the AOL web cast is better than the MTV/VH1. Feed from all of the cities. No commercials.
live 8 music fest
hey! i didn’t watch the live 8 music fest but i’ve been following your LJ postings about it. i’m glad michael jackson didn’t perform too. he creeps me out. but some of his music is pretty good, IMHO, esp “thriller”. but that’s just my humble opinion. how are the back porch kitties doing? -ashley 🙂
live 8 music fest
hey! i didn’t watch the live 8 music fest but i’ve been following your LJ postings about it. i’m glad michael jackson didn’t perform too. he creeps me out. but some of his music is pretty good, IMHO, esp “thriller”. but that’s just my humble opinion. how are the back porch kitties doing? -ashley 🙂
live 8 music fest
hey! i didn’t watch the live 8 music fest but i’ve been following your LJ postings about it. i’m glad michael jackson didn’t perform too. he creeps me out. but some of his music is pretty good, IMHO, esp “thriller”. but that’s just my humble opinion. how are the back porch kitties doing? -ashley 🙂
LIVE8 LIVE
Hey, Laurie,
Check out my LIVE8 coverage when you get a chance.
Just click on my lj name. Within the post there is also a link to see pics. It was quite the experience. I’m glad I went. 🙂
~teata
LIVE8 LIVE
Hey, Laurie,
Check out my LIVE8 coverage when you get a chance.
Just click on my lj name. Within the post there is also a link to see pics. It was quite the experience. I’m glad I went. 🙂
~teata
LIVE8 LIVE
Hey, Laurie,
Check out my LIVE8 coverage when you get a chance.
Just click on my lj name. Within the post there is also a link to see pics. It was quite the experience. I’m glad I went. 🙂
~teata
hey laurie
hey
i loved your comment on Will Smith and Madonna they were great!
-Emily
hey laurie
hey
i loved your comment on Will Smith and Madonna they were great!
-Emily
hey laurie
hey
i loved your comment on Will Smith and Madonna they were great!
-Emily
Agree
I do agree with you on the Live 8 matter. What I really don’t understand is how seeing Maroon 5 live is going to spread knowledge about AIDS and Poverty in the world? Although there were a few short documentaries on poverty, one with Ashley Judd. But I really didn’t understand the music part.
Agree
I do agree with you on the Live 8 matter. What I really don’t understand is how seeing Maroon 5 live is going to spread knowledge about AIDS and Poverty in the world? Although there were a few short documentaries on poverty, one with Ashley Judd. But I really didn’t understand the music part.
Re: Agree
I don’t really understand the confusion about the effectiveness of Live 8. If you turned on the television today, or went online, it’s nearly impossible that you avoided seeing coverage of this major event. The concerts served as a venue to excite people into becoming informed. And I think it’s undeniable that the consciousness of millions of people was raised today through that effort. I can only speak for myslef, but I can say that the combination of music and message is powerful. Myriad crowds have experienced the U2 shows this year, in which an almost tangible emotion of hope spreads through the crowd as Bono stands in front of images of the African flags, asking people to raise their voices in support of alleviating unneccesary tragic conditions in those countries. That unity of voices is one way that people with one type of power — celebrity — are using that power to say something about the state of the world beyond our borders. Things are not okay. And that message is so visible now, which gives hope that people with another kind of power — politial — will take heed that people are aware of that situation and want to see change. And that’s what democracy is all about, right? The masses speaking to their heads of state. And it happened today.
Re: Agree
I respectfully disagree about the effectiveness of this concert. And I sincerely hope I am wrong. See my July 3rd entry for the specifics.
Agree
I do agree with you on the Live 8 matter. What I really don’t understand is how seeing Maroon 5 live is going to spread knowledge about AIDS and Poverty in the world? Although there were a few short documentaries on poverty, one with Ashley Judd. But I really didn’t understand the music part.
One of Chelle’s cousins was there and came to the party after the left it. She got her a tshirt, so that was nice. She had some fun stories to tell about it, I told her about your ranting and she laughed.
Hope you had fun at the party, Ms. I go to bed at 9.30. Love you.
One of Chelle’s cousins was there and came to the party after the left it. She got her a tshirt, so that was nice. She had some fun stories to tell about it, I told her about your ranting and she laughed.
Hope you had fun at the party, Ms. I go to bed at 9.30. Love you.
One of Chelle’s cousins was there and came to the party after the left it. She got her a tshirt, so that was nice. She had some fun stories to tell about it, I told her about your ranting and she laughed.
Hope you had fun at the party, Ms. I go to bed at 9.30. Love you.
You did get to see the Pink Floyd reunion. I watched it. 🙂
You did get to see the Pink Floyd reunion. I watched it. 🙂
I cried. Comfortably Numb came on and just.. agh. 🙂
But then the VJ’s had to start talking and ruin it.
I saw Pink Floyd in concert in 1993. I was 6.
I pray every night for a ‘reunited’ tour.
I cried. Comfortably Numb came on and just.. agh. 🙂
But then the VJ’s had to start talking and ruin it.
I saw Pink Floyd in concert in 1993. I was 6.
I pray every night for a ‘reunited’ tour.
Re: Agree
I don’t really understand the confusion about the effectiveness of Live 8. If you turned on the television today, or went online, it’s nearly impossible that you avoided seeing coverage of this major event. The concerts served as a venue to excite people into becoming informed. And I think it’s undeniable that the consciousness of millions of people was raised today through that effort. I can only speak for myslef, but I can say that the combination of music and message is powerful. Myriad crowds have experienced the U2 shows this year, in which an almost tangible emotion of hope spreads through the crowd as Bono stands in front of images of the African flags, asking people to raise their voices in support of alleviating unneccesary tragic conditions in those countries. That unity of voices is one way that people with one type of power — celebrity — are using that power to say something about the state of the world beyond our borders. Things are not okay. And that message is so visible now, which gives hope that people with another kind of power — politial — will take heed that people are aware of that situation and want to see change. And that’s what democracy is all about, right? The masses speaking to their heads of state. And it happened today.
Re: Agree
I don’t really understand the confusion about the effectiveness of Live 8. If you turned on the television today, or went online, it’s nearly impossible that you avoided seeing coverage of this major event. The concerts served as a venue to excite people into becoming informed. And I think it’s undeniable that the consciousness of millions of people was raised today through that effort. I can only speak for myslef, but I can say that the combination of music and message is powerful. Myriad crowds have experienced the U2 shows this year, in which an almost tangible emotion of hope spreads through the crowd as Bono stands in front of images of the African flags, asking people to raise their voices in support of alleviating unneccesary tragic conditions in those countries. That unity of voices is one way that people with one type of power — celebrity — are using that power to say something about the state of the world beyond our borders. Things are not okay. And that message is so visible now, which gives hope that people with another kind of power — politial — will take heed that people are aware of that situation and want to see change. And that’s what democracy is all about, right? The masses speaking to their heads of state. And it happened today.
Re: Agree
I respectfully disagree about the effectiveness of this concert. And I sincerely hope I am wrong. See my July 3rd entry for the specifics.
Re: Agree
I respectfully disagree about the effectiveness of this concert. And I sincerely hope I am wrong. See my July 3rd entry for the specifics.