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Originally Posted by SlackDad
with Live8 looming this weekend I was just wondering what people thought generally about this event.
Flicking through the latest issue of Radio Times which features extensive coverage of the event with lots of lovely pics of the major performers I couldn't help but find it a bit offensive that all these multi millionaires are talking about poverty in Africa. And let's face it by playing Live8 they are surely increasing their exposure and therefore record sales etc. (Nice timing as well that Live8 coincides with a U2 tour and new Coldplay album). I don't know, but for me if people need reminding about poverty in Africa by a bunch of pompous over paid pop stars then therein lies part of the problem.
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Why is everyone so negitive. Whatever you may think of the motives of some of the bands, Live 8 has raised the issue of Africa and that is a good thing. It is not the falut of the artists that there is poverty in Africa either. It is a complex problem but some of it lies in the unfair trade practices that Western governments have put in place and businesses that benefit from thode practices such as Nike and Nestle.
Why don't people have a go at them instead of taking it out on the bands who are helping even if it is for self-gain. Most charity is selfish in many ways, everyone donates and a lot of time it is to feel good, or other things. There is rarely a completely un-selfish act. The point is that people benefit no matter what the reasons are. Many good things have come from people acting for themselves and in the process helping others, its a way a lot of stuff works.
So instead of complaining about Live 8 and those taking part, instead of looking for the negative (and accusing them of being self-promoting selfish ignorant millionaires which is the usual trash) take your anger out on those that actually cause the poverty or help to reduce it. Also it's not just pop-stars who have no idea what it must be like in africa. Very few people do, just because we are not as rich as Coldplay or Bono doesnt mean we know more about what it is like to live in that kind of poverty. Having to pay Uni fees, or needing money for this and that does not put us in the same league as a place where thousands of children die needlessly. So maybe we are 'offensive' for talking about Africa and helping those in need because we do not know whats it like either.
Also Live 8 is now because its 1) Make Poverty History year 2) G8 in a week or so 3) Live Aid was almost 20 years ago to the day. Nothing to do with U2's tour or Coldplays album
Nothing personal btw. Just seen a lot of this lately
