The music world rocked this weekend as Bob Geldof's 20-year follow up to Live Aid pulled together the largest gathering of musicians across the globe than ever before. The cause was to rally around the richest nations, petitioning them to bring an end to poverty. I haven't seen much of the concerts, but am heading AOL to check out the Pink Floyd reunion.
What do YOU think? Will the largest live concert ever make any impact on ending poverty?
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
July 6, 2005 11:18 AM
I don't believe a simple concert can bring together the world or end poverty. It's just not that simple. Not everybody enjoys Pink Floyd, so I don't recommend this as a feasible plan for economic reconciliation.
July 6, 2005 06:51 PM
Not until they wipe out the corrupt leaders. They need to rethink a lot of things first.
Go to this site and you'll see how futile aid is at the moment.
http://theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15812947^601,00.html
A little more sanity is required for the distribution. But other than helping boost a few musical careers... this won't accomplish much.
On another note... isn't it amazing how people can go to something like this, carry in full bottles of drink and food in wrappers and be too damned lazy to carry the empty containers out? Disgusting.
July 6, 2005 11:37 PM
James,
I was waiting for someone to say this first and I am glad you did.
The answer to poverty is NOT to throw more money at them. The ANSWER is to remove the dictators that keep people in poverty and allow CAPITALISM to take root! There is not a society on the planet where capitalism has not proven itself to be the single greatest antidote to poverty, and the cause of prosperity.
And I agree about the people who don't clean up after themselves... what a shame...
But, the Pink Floyd performance WAS awesome!
Joel
July 7, 2005 06:05 AM
OK, now I agree with you guys.
July 7, 2005 09:19 PM
There is a similar discussion going on at http://www.marketingprofs.com/ea/qst_question.asp?qstID=8352
Consensus is hard on this.
What poor countries seem to need is:
1. Uncorruption
2. Education
3. Free Markets
4. Help to succeed
And yes, Pink Floyd was awesome. Consider their reunion after 24 years of acrimony betweene Roger Waters and the others as an indication of the power of this issue to unite disparate forces.
Does the music solve the problem? No, of course not.
Did it put the item higher on the agenda of music lovers? Indisputably.
Now, what can we DO to help?
July 7, 2005 10:04 PM
Good points, Chris.
What can we do? I have found the most effective means of helping people is through missionaries that sacrifice their time and talents to reach out to the hurting and hungry.
It is typical for government and large organizations to have an inordinate amount of bureaucratic waste. Very few dollars actually reach the intended people.
But we send missionaries out from our church who make excellent use of every dollar. Not only that, but they touch more than the physical needs. They show people they care by attending to their emotional and spiritual needs as well.
But this can't work massively until the evil leadership in these countries stop acting as resistant forces. With them deliberately keeping their people in poverty, it is an uphill battle to make a lasting difference.
Out with the tyrants and despots!
Joel
July 13, 2005 10:16 AM
What about the two contries that in the last 200 years have colonized and destroyed most of the africans regions, france and england?
Shouldn't they be the first (and only) to really help financially?
July 18, 2005 12:13 AM
They have been helping Mike.... unfortunately, the dictators running these countries have been gobbling up the aid like Oprah at a buffet.
There are so many things that are wrong with the concept of sending money it's not funny.
Give a visit to my blog and look for the July 7 entry called "Some elaboration, African Aid - Why Not?"
There are some really good ideas in there as to how to really help these countries. (I'd like to hear Joel's thoughts on the UN Aid Monitor idea). please note, some stuff on my blog is tongue in cheek.
The real question, is how long do we keep enabling dictators to rape their countries and the aid sent there for their own personal gain? Not who should be paying. Everyone with food on the table, money in the bank and a roof over their head should contribute. Time for blame and finger pointing is over. Time for definitive action that will really accomplish something is here.