Idealism Gone Wild

When it comes to the car-driven lifestyle, there is a growing amount of global criticism, but a literal famine when it comes to actual resolve and action. This point is so frustrating when you encounter it; take for example the "Live Earth" concerts which occurred yesterday and were estimated to be viewed by upwards of two billion people around earth. Impressive by any standard, and even more so I thought when I considered the purpose; to raise concern about humanities growing conflict with the natural world. I set out to do a little hands on research by directing my browser to youtube to watch what all the hype was about and imagine my surprise when after clicking on a 'Linkin Park' concert the opening video was a call to action to start to dump cars and start commuting by bike. My first though was awesome! Finally the revolution is being televised - global exposure, I thought, would serve to broadcast a lifestyle far too few of us actually live. But then I watched a few more videos by other popular bands and I started to do a little more thinking. Linkin Park was playing in Tokyo, Foo Fighters in Europe, Metallica was over in London, and a whole smattering of other headliners dotted the rest of the globe. If their collective purpose was to raise awareness of environmental concerns, why travel on private jets all over the world, drawing in tow millions of enthusiastic fan? If the end goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% over a two year period, why metaphorically shoot yourself in the head by collectively producing an estimated 31,500 tons of deadly CO2, 3,000 times what the average British citizen produces in a year? In this respect the Live Earth concerts are analogous to lynching a black man to raise awareness about racism.

I'm reminded about the South Park episode where the town became overrun by thousands of hippies who put on a concert to 'change the world man!' but who ended up just patting each other on the back and listening to music. I fear the Live Earth concerts will only serve to cheapen the resolve of those of us who actually do care about the environment and truly live our convictions. No amount of idealistic hypocrisy, hybrid cars, or egotistical rock bands will help put an end to global warming. I anticipate no change at all, selfish Americans will keep driving their cars, their asses will continue to grow larger, and temperatures will slowly rise. In the meantime the true revolution will not be televised by will continue to live on, as it always has, in the silent pedals and feet of those who truly 'get it'.