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July 07, 2007

So, there are these concerts going around the world, where famous musicians are joining together at large venues to provide concerts that are designed to bring a worldwide eye to the very real issue of global warming.

Musicians are putting aside their differences and pouring their hearts and souls into a common cause that concerns us all, for no reason other than that Earth can't do it for itself.

News coverage has been brutal, with the newscasters never missing an opportunity to point out that there is a lot of criticism because these artists contributed to the problem by traveling.

My opinion to that? Way to miss the fucking point!

Yes, the artists traveled a long way to get to the destinations, where their performances will reach millions of people worldwide because of their scale. A big show had to happen, and the problem of global warming is one everyone contributes to, day in and day out. Some musicians traveling across the world hardly matter in terms of fuel consumed and emissions given out. So they're making this gesture to try to unite people against the problem, and other people are snidely commenting that the musicians contribute to the problem by doing it?

I am so sick of people. Seriously. Every time someone tries to do something, there's some little group harping on an inconsequential detail like somehow that's more important than the big picture. People sicken me almost daily.

I wish I had been born a kitten instead.

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Felix_Arabia - July 07, 2007 (06:35 PM)
I'm reading this blog. My computer is on because of that. CFCs are pouring into the ozone. You terrorist!

espiga - July 07, 2007 (06:44 PM)
I'm convinced that my cat is smarter than over half of the population of the United States. Need proof? Well, 10 minutes of video blogs on YouTube and you'll see it.

Genj - July 07, 2007 (06:55 PM)
Believe me. You don't want to be a cat. Instead of toilet paper, you get a tongue.

joseph_valencia - July 07, 2007 (08:33 PM)
I'm in the group that doesn't care much about global warming one way or the other, so I find myself identifying with the people who harp on these sorts of concerts. For me, I can't stomach how patronizing these things are. I'm amazed that these prima donnas actually believe they're the only people on the face of the planet who think about climate change. It's like holding a bunch of concerts to "raise awareness" of aging.

At this point, I think pretty much every person of significance knows about global warming. Nearly all of those people learned about it from a book or science class, not from narcissists who make a career out of looking pretty and lip synching. The real problem is that there are currently no practical solutions to this theoretical crisis. So, as I see it, these concerts are more about publicity and jumping on the "Green is Good" fad than they are about actually, you know, saving the planet.

Now, you want to know who's really doing something? The faceless researchers who dedicate every day of their lives to discovering new energy sources or more efficient and clean consumer products. Someday they'll invent something that will make this debate obsolete. The same can't be said for celebrities.

On another note, jackalopes > kittens.

honestgamer - July 07, 2007 (09:02 PM)
People know about such things, but they need to be reminded and a lot of people identify with the causes celebrities support, spaceworlder. That's the point of this concert, and it's the reason why concerns about the fuel the performers wasted on their way to the events is so petty and counter-productive. Everyone does what they can to raise awareness and to keep the issue at the forefront, and celebrities are putting their artistry behind the effort. That's not behavior that deserves cynicism.

People who bitch about the artists wasting the fuel or whatever go to work on Monday and talk about the football game or whatever. They're not the ones complaining to the government, and really, everyone should. The government's plan is to start making progress on global warming by 2050. They figure it'll take 40+ years before anyone starts doing what needs to be done. That's just not acceptable.

Personally, I think mankind is so stupid that we'll blow the planet to bits before then. But if I'm somehow wrong, I'd like some planet to be left in decent shape and that's not going to happen if everyone goes on buying SUVs and doing all the other things that they know contribute to global warming. Concerts raise that awareness and get people thinking about what they already know. That's all they do, admittedly, but that's pretty damn important.

Halon - July 07, 2007 (09:40 PM)
But the problem is, what Spaceworlder pointed out, that we cannot do anything about it. Carpooling and turning off water/electricity might slow down the warming slightly, but currently we don't have a solution for the problem. The Arctic Monkeys are the only band to my knowledge to realize that this concert is, in a way, hypocritical.

Global warming should be something that we should pay attention to and we should care about the earth, regardless of how hot or cold it is getting. With that being said I'm still not convinced that it's as bad as everyone is making it out to be.

joseph_valencia - July 07, 2007 (10:26 PM)
People know about such things, but they need to be reminded and a lot of people identify with the causes celebrities support, spaceworlder. That's the point of this concert, and it's the reason why concerns about the fuel the performers wasted on their way to the events is so petty and counter-productive. Everyone does what they can to raise awareness and to keep the issue at the forefront, and celebrities are putting their artistry behind the effort. That's not behavior that deserves cynicism.

The problem with this assertion is that the public *is* constantly reminded of the threat of global warming. Adults hear about it all the time on the news or in the 'paper, and kids gets lectured on the subject by their science teachers. There isn't any shortage of awareness on the issue, and there's no sign of the information cycle breaking any time soon.

The reason I think this celebrity behavior deserves cynicism is, again, because it just comes across as patronizing. I have ears and eyes, and so do about 99% of the planet's population. We don't need some singer to tell us what's in the headlines.

People who bitch about the artists wasting the fuel or whatever go to work on Monday and talk about the football game or whatever. They're not the ones complaining to the government, and really, everyone should. The government's plan is to start making progress on global warming by 2050. They figure it'll take 40+ years before anyone starts doing what needs to be done. That's just not acceptable.

Then what is acceptable? What current solution can end the global warming debate without disheveling our economy and way of life?

Personally, I think mankind is so stupid that we'll blow the planet to bits before then. But if I'm somehow wrong, I'd like some planet to be left in decent shape and that's not going to happen if everyone goes on buying SUVs and doing all the other things that they know contribute to global warming. Concerts raise that awareness and get people thinking about what they already know. That's all they do, admittedly, but that's pretty damn important.

If there is any evidence of a lack of thought on the topic of climate change, I'd like to see it.

honestgamer - July 08, 2007 (02:22 AM)
There are obvious solutions to global warming that would have a short-term negative affect on our economy, but a long-term positive effect on both our economy and the environment.

Instead of bringing in oil from Saudi Arabia all the time, we should start paying our farmers to produce more crops. Do you know that we pay our farmers to let fields turn to wasteland, then import food at high prices from elsewhere in the world so we can eat what our farmers used to grow? Our farmers are going broke when they could be growing crops to feed our population and--more important in the case of this topic--create fuels.

The best things we can do to improve our situation include a switch to fuels that don't pollute the environment as horribly and that don't gobble up non-renewable resources. These solutions are right here, right now. The government is saying maybe we'll do something around 2050? We need to act now! The government isn't interested because most of the people in the highest offices paid for their campaigns with money from the oil companies that don't have a stake in natural fuel (and therefore are strongly opposed to seeing its use spread).

These are problems that won't go away until people are not only aware of them, but driven to do something about them. We need to stop thinking and start doing, and like it or not, the public starts doing when people patronize (particularly celebrities).

pup - July 09, 2007 (09:00 AM)
I think the celebrity involvement is ridiculous, but it's the only way the majority of this stupid planet is going to pay attention. Case in point, more people knew about Paris Hilton's current situation than a flaming SUV smashing into an airport.

As for the constant lecturing about the situation, it is completely necessary. People's ways of thinking need to be changed, not just the way they live. If you don't manage that shift, no one will accept the new technologies available.

I also wish people would stop limiting all of this to rising sea levels and such. This is about cleaning the air and reducing asthma, keeping mercury out of our water and reducing birth defects, and the list goes on.

Feedback
	Felix_Arabia - July 07, 2007 (06:35 PM) I'm reading this blog. My computer is on because of that. CFCs are pouring into the ozone. You terrorist!
	espiga - July 07, 2007 (06:44 PM) I'm convinced that my cat is smarter than over half of the population of the United States. Need proof? Well, 10 minutes of video blogs on YouTube and you'll see it.
	Genj - July 07, 2007 (06:55 PM) Believe me. You don't want to be a cat. Instead of toilet paper, you get a tongue.
	joseph_valencia - July 07, 2007 (08:33 PM) I'm in the group that doesn't care much about global warming one way or the other, so I find myself identifying with the people who harp on these sorts of concerts. For me, I can't stomach how patronizing these things are. I'm amazed that these prima donnas actually believe they're the only people on the face of the planet who think about climate change. It's like holding a bunch of concerts to "raise awareness" of aging. At this point, I think pretty much every person of significance knows about global warming. Nearly all of those people learned about it from a book or science class, not from narcissists who make a career out of looking pretty and lip synching. The real problem is that there are currently no practical solutions to this theoretical crisis. So, as I see it, these concerts are more about publicity and jumping on the "Green is Good" fad than they are about actually, you know, saving the planet. Now, you want to know who's really doing something? The faceless researchers who dedicate every day of their lives to discovering new energy sources or more efficient and clean consumer products. Someday they'll invent something that will make this debate obsolete. The same can't be said for celebrities. On another note, jackalopes > kittens.
	honestgamer - July 07, 2007 (09:02 PM) People know about such things, but they need to be reminded and a lot of people identify with the causes celebrities support, spaceworlder. That's the point of this concert, and it's the reason why concerns about the fuel the performers wasted on their way to the events is so petty and counter-productive. Everyone does what they can to raise awareness and to keep the issue at the forefront, and celebrities are putting their artistry behind the effort. That's not behavior that deserves cynicism. People who bitch about the artists wasting the fuel or whatever go to work on Monday and talk about the football game or whatever. They're not the ones complaining to the government, and really, everyone should. The government's plan is to start making progress on global warming by 2050. They figure it'll take 40+ years before anyone starts doing what needs to be done. That's just not acceptable. Personally, I think mankind is so stupid that we'll blow the planet to bits before then. But if I'm somehow wrong, I'd like some planet to be left in decent shape and that's not going to happen if everyone goes on buying SUVs and doing all the other things that they know contribute to global warming. Concerts raise that awareness and get people thinking about what they already know. That's all they do, admittedly, but that's pretty damn important.
	Halon - July 07, 2007 (09:40 PM) But the problem is, what Spaceworlder pointed out, that we cannot do anything about it. Carpooling and turning off water/electricity might slow down the warming slightly, but currently we don't have a solution for the problem. The Arctic Monkeys are the only band to my knowledge to realize that this concert is, in a way, hypocritical. Global warming should be something that we should pay attention to and we should care about the earth, regardless of how hot or cold it is getting. With that being said I'm still not convinced that it's as bad as everyone is making it out to be.
	joseph_valencia - July 07, 2007 (10:26 PM) People know about such things, but they need to be reminded and a lot of people identify with the causes celebrities support, spaceworlder. That's the point of this concert, and it's the reason why concerns about the fuel the performers wasted on their way to the events is so petty and counter-productive. Everyone does what they can to raise awareness and to keep the issue at the forefront, and celebrities are putting their artistry behind the effort. That's not behavior that deserves cynicism. The problem with this assertion is that the public is constantly reminded of the threat of global warming. Adults hear about it all the time on the news or in the 'paper, and kids gets lectured on the subject by their science teachers. There isn't any shortage of awareness on the issue, and there's no sign of the information cycle breaking any time soon. The reason I think this celebrity behavior deserves cynicism is, again, because it just comes across as patronizing. I have ears and eyes, and so do about 99% of the planet's population. We don't need some singer to tell us what's in the headlines. People who bitch about the artists wasting the fuel or whatever go to work on Monday and talk about the football game or whatever. They're not the ones complaining to the government, and really, everyone should. The government's plan is to start making progress on global warming by 2050. They figure it'll take 40+ years before anyone starts doing what needs to be done. That's just not acceptable. Then what is acceptable? What current solution can end the global warming debate without disheveling our economy and way of life? Personally, I think mankind is so stupid that we'll blow the planet to bits before then. But if I'm somehow wrong, I'd like some planet to be left in decent shape and that's not going to happen if everyone goes on buying SUVs and doing all the other things that they know contribute to global warming. Concerts raise that awareness and get people thinking about what they already know. That's all they do, admittedly, but that's pretty damn important. If there is any evidence of a lack of thought on the topic of climate change, I'd like to see it.
	honestgamer - July 08, 2007 (02:22 AM) There are obvious solutions to global warming that would have a short-term negative affect on our economy, but a long-term positive effect on both our economy and the environment. Instead of bringing in oil from Saudi Arabia all the time, we should start paying our farmers to produce more crops. Do you know that we pay our farmers to let fields turn to wasteland, then import food at high prices from elsewhere in the world so we can eat what our farmers used to grow? Our farmers are going broke when they could be growing crops to feed our population and--more important in the case of this topic--create fuels. The best things we can do to improve our situation include a switch to fuels that don't pollute the environment as horribly and that don't gobble up non-renewable resources. These solutions are right here, right now. The government is saying maybe we'll do something around 2050? We need to act now! The government isn't interested because most of the people in the highest offices paid for their campaigns with money from the oil companies that don't have a stake in natural fuel (and therefore are strongly opposed to seeing its use spread). These are problems that won't go away until people are not only aware of them, but driven to do something about them. We need to stop thinking and start doing, and like it or not, the public starts doing when people patronize (particularly celebrities).
	pup - July 09, 2007 (09:00 AM) I think the celebrity involvement is ridiculous, but it's the only way the majority of this stupid planet is going to pay attention. Case in point, more people knew about Paris Hilton's current situation than a flaming SUV smashing into an airport. As for the constant lecturing about the situation, it is completely necessary. People's ways of thinking need to be changed, not just the way they live. If you don't manage that shift, no one will accept the new technologies available. I also wish people would stop limiting all of this to rising sea levels and such. This is about cleaning the air and reducing asthma, keeping mercury out of our water and reducing birth defects, and the list goes on.

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