Quote Originally Posted by Medley
Now, the idea that because Madonna talked about conserving energy, and because the audience might conserve a bit more than they did before the concert, that makes the whole event "carbon neutral" is not only ludicrous, it's hypocritical.
You're using a lot of strong language here, which is fine. But judging the notion of the shows being carbon neutral as being "ludicrous" isn't helping your argument, it's only raising emotion. You're also using assumptive language in saying that "because the audience might conserve a bit more than they did before the concert..." You have no idea how much change people are making in their lives to help benefit their environment. You use the language "a bit" to describe the changes people "might" make. Surely you see the assumption involved in your argument? If people make lasting, significant changes - including legislation - and then pass those behavior modifications down to their children then YES, the total effect of the concerts will be carbon neutral, and eventually carbon "negative." But, it rests squarely on the shoulders of the people to make those changes. Including you, and I.

It's the fact that they produced a huge carbon footprint to do it, then raved about how green the shows were.
I never heard that the shows were being described as "green." So I really can't comment on this claim. Of course, there are going to be compromises made in order to make a point. And yes, I'm sure the organizers knew they were stepping into a theorhetical "trap" in order to produce these shows. But to stay home and keep quiet because someone is going to call you a hypocrite is not going to get the job done. You have to accept that in order to change the system, you have to be a part of the system. In order to communicate the importance of conserving energy, you're going to have to use some energy. It's one of the ironies of our world. I'm sure Al Gore lost some sleep over the inevitable labeling of his movement to effect climate change. But, there is no other way to do it. And keeping quiet so as not to get labeled a hypocrite isn't going to help the world.