Will Live 8 Work?
 

I posted this question in the Toronto Live 8 thread, but I thought I'd start a new one just devoted to this question because I'm really curious to see what people think.

Is Live 8 going to spark the next global social movement? There are those who believe vehemently that it will.

There are others who don't think the majority of concert goers are going to care - that they're just going for the free show, man. That they don't even know what the cause actually is.

What do you think?

Sadly I think the answer is that if it affects anything it will only be for a brief time. Live Aid was amazing and did do some real good, but ask anyone born in the 80's about it and they would have had no clue until this recent live 8 was created. People forget what they aren't confronted with everday and what they are confronted with everyday, they ignore.

Live 8 makes no difference - survey

http://newsbox.msn.co.uk/article.asp...e=windows-1252

The majority of British people do not believe the Live 8 concerts and demonstrations at the G8 summit will have any significant effect in tackling poverty in Africa, according to a new poll.

In a survey carried out by YouGov/Sky News only 16% of respondents thought the concerts in London and cities round the world would make a significant difference.

Only 6% believe the demonstrations outside the summit at Gleneagles in July, called for by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, will have any real impact on poverty.

Instead nearly three-quarters of people believe decisions taken by governments in Africa have the biggest impact on the continent's economy and standard of living.

And more than half believe investment in Africa by major international companies holds the key to a better future.

Only a third of those questioned believe helping Africa is the priority for leaders meeting at the G8 summit on July 6 to 8.

Top of the wish-list is action on climate change for nearly half of people.

The second priority is reducing the number of immigrants and asylum-seekers entering G8 countries such as Britain.

Combating terrorism ranks fourth, just below helping Africa, while bottom of the list is increasing jobs and prosperity.

A sample of 2,021 people were questioned throughout Britain for the poll.

I agree. Maybe they will care a little, but their main purpose is to see Pink Floyd or their favorite band. If it was a solidarity thing, why don you just collaborate withouth receiving something back?

Besides, I think the 60s and early 70s were the last idealist generations. I'm not saying there is no more idealists, dreamers, but in these times everything is moved by business and money.

I miss Mafaldas and Felipes. Now there's more Manolitos and Susanitas.

I'm going to venture from the lack of responses that it's NOT going to work. I tend to agree. I asked because I mentioned this at work the other day and got JUMPED on by people who said it was going to be huge and create the next global social movement. I work with some unbelievably brilliant people, and this just stunned me. I think it's going to accomplish very little myself.

Anyway, thanks for the opinions.

I agree. People will do the same thing they do when they watch news; say how horrible it is and then forget about it in 30 seconds. It's basically just free publicity for a lot of these artists. Well-intentioned on Geldof's part, but it won't accomplish much of anything.

The 60's are over. The only way to change things is from changing the system from within. Protests, hunger strikes, ...etc just causes the opposite reaction from most people. I get tired of people trying to capture something that was a particular place and time. Can't be repeated. Sorry they missed the 60's/70's, but move on. They come off as walking-steriotypes. The old ways no longer has the same impact, so do something more productive.

Also, these issues are not so simple. Okay they raise a bunch of money for Africa relief. (yet again) but the corruption in those countries is never addressed, the culture has negative social aspects, and it is a short term messure rather than a long term solution. The people that honestly need it never get the help. Sounds like a waste of time to me. Need to face the fact that not all problems are solved by throwing money at them.

Live Aid 8 will just be blip on the radar and will be forgotten before the last note fades away. Sound bite 30 seconds then gone.