When I was in elementary school, I had a sticker on my door that I got in one of those gumball-toy machines for a quarter: “Ev’ry Litter Bit Hurts.” So began my conservationist quest. That’s right. I subscribed to Ranger Rick. Since then, I have twice collected aluminum cans. Once, I turned them in for recycling. And, I recycle newspapers, usually turn the lights out (some of which are energy-saving bulbs), and drive a car with a PZE sticker. Most Americans would probably consider me a rabid environmentalist. And a Democrat. All that to say, I do a pretty crappy job of helping the world. Full disclosure section completed.
There was a great discussion on this week’s To the Point about the impact of Live Earth and similar events. Guests (including Harry Shearer, who performed in London with Spinal Tap) reflected on the problem of whether artists get and communicate the message they’re promoting, and whether participants (especially at an event aimed at altering daily practices and pushing for international policies) merely feel that purchasing tickets and joining the cheering throng supported the cause. There are a lot of questions here, although Shearer and others feel that the “nudge in the right direction” is worth the spectacle, and I tend to agree (what else were we all going to do last Saturday?).
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36 Cents for Your Entire Brain 