"These concerts are the start point for The Long Walk To Justice, the one way we can all make our voices heard in unison. By doubling aid, fully cancelling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the future for millions of men, women and children." - Bob Geldof

Interesting. Too bad it didn't work.

A recent article that appeared in the Sunday Toronto Star had hit the streets to talk to folks aged 14-46 on whether or not they got the message of Live 8. Shockingly, they didn't!
They went to see their favorite bands and they left happy they saw their favorite bands. The unified voice of people who love Barenaked Ladies, Madonna, Celine Dion and Jann Arden! They cheer in riotous fits of glee without even knowing why they are there.

They couldn't answer a single question right, including, which country had their debt cancelled. One poor concert attendee offered Africa as their bid for a winning answer. On the right track, but, there's a fundamental difference between a country and a continent. If THAT is apart of the unified voice! Woe to Africa, I'm truly sorry for my country's ignorance.

I think that Live 8 is an event to make the Western World feel better. I honestly believe that the event will do little to make politicians take notice and make a gracious nod to the cause. A one day festival will hardly resolve poverty even if the G8 leaders cancels the debt of Africa.

Bigger issues lie at the root of Africa's problems and include exploitation by the Western World, corruption of some of Africa's political leaders, complexity in terms of size and language (2,000 languages & 59 countries!!), and an unequal global trading system.

So what is the solution? Maybe choosing smaller battles to beat? Focus on one part of Africa, make it strong and then move on! Millions of dollars are stolen by the corrupt from the public purse, how will a one day festival solve this?! The concert barely even taught the BILLIONS that attended that Africa isn't a country it's a Continent!

So what if it Live 8 was a financial success, at the end of the day, the Western public, filled with its politicians & G8 leaders of tomorrow barely know the fundamental principals that the concert was trying to bring awareness to. I promise you that today, two days after the event, Live 8 was already forgotten about.

Give the public a concert and they will party for a day.
Give the public the knowledge and they will change the world.