Live 8

The Live 8 concerts were phenomenal in many respects. The number of people it reached through television, satellite radio, web casts, mobile phone casts, etc was incredible. Nowhere are the advances of technology more apparent than when comparing Live 8 with Live Aid of the 80’s. Live Aid never reached the mass audiences the way Live 8 did. AOL had a record number of simultaneous web casts (75 million). Organizers estimate 2 BILLION tuned in watch or listen to the event. Live 8 was NOT a fundraiser. The artists performed for free, tickets were free, and the broadcasting was free. The goal was to create worldwide awareness and pressure the G8 summit to produce results that tackle world poverty.

The concerts themselves were much better than expected. Sting’s “Message in a Bottle”, U2 singing with Paul McCartney, the reunion of Pink Floyd, and the Marley kids singing “Get Up, Stand Up” with the Black Eyed Peas were some of the highlights. Other particularly great performances included Sarah McLachlan, Muse, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Green Day, Jet, and Stevie Wonder. Even Will Smith’s “Summertime” was fantastic. Perhaps most impressive was one of my least favorite artists – Maria Carey. After singing her first song, she began speaking and introduced her guests for her next song, the African Children’s Choir. She was experiencing severe shortness of breath after her last performance and could barely speak. However, only moments later, she went into a beautiful rendition with the choir of “Hero.” Her range is stunning...

The problem with the event however is two-fold – the simplistic recommendations to the G8, and the irony of millionaires talking about poverty. While standing up for a cause is a noble gesture, perhaps having the “Material Girl” telling people to solve poverty was ironic if not plain hypocritical.

The recommendations of the Live 8 group to the G8 are to solve poverty through trade justice, increased aid, and the 100% extinguishment of debt to poor (African) countries. There are a few problems with this. First, a 100% extinguishment of debt could significantly impact world banks and economies. Secondly, increasing aid will NOT solve the problem. Africa has received enough aid from the world for three or four Marshal Plans. Most of the aid money to Africa never makes it to those in need. The money is squandered through ill advised spending and stolen by corrupt leaders. The problem in Africa is inadequate leadership. Extinguishing debt and increasing aid will legitimize the current governments and slow the revolutionary changes needed.

Still, the Live 8 concerts did what may be most important – they created a forum for discussion and brought worldwide awareness to the cause. Starvation, AIDS, and other diseases (such as Malaria) are enormous problems in Africa. It is the duty of the modern world to help the people in need. The G8 leaders should make it their number one priority.

Finally, perhaps the greatest thrill was getting to hear Nelson Mandela:

"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity; it is an act of justice. It is a protection of a fundamental human right. History and the generations to come will judge our leaders by the decisions they make in the coming weeks. I say to all those leaders, do not look the other way. Do not hesitate. We ask our leaders to demonstrate commitment, not engage in hollow promises. It is within your power to avoid a genocide of humanity. Sometimes it falls upon on a generation to be great. You be that great generation."