Ethics of selling Live 8 tickets for profit

davidvernon

It is apparent that this show is to raise awareness for a very good cause indeed. However, do you believe that the artists, lighting people, camera people, sound technicians, security people, refreshment people etc are giving their time and expertise for nothing in aid of that cause? Of course they aren't.

The Hyde Park show is being put together by Clear Channel Entertainment - a multi-million pound company. They have reserved 15000 (yes - fifteen thousand) gold tickets to sell for 'vip hospitality packages'. This will not only cover the cost of the event, but also make Clear Channel Entertainment a nice profit (they are a private company and so that is their aim). These tickets will be for a special section near to the stage so the 'lucky people' who won tickets won't be able to get anywhere near the artists they are going to see. These 'lucky people' will have to endur the pitiful transport infrastructure in London, pay exhorbitant prices for basic refreshments during the day, and also pay for travel / accomodation. As a money conscious person, to make a decision between spending a lot of money to get no where near my favourite artist, or, watch from the comfort of my own home with the benefit of television close-ups, it's not really a hard decision.

So, people will be getting paid, company's will be making money and artists will no doubt have their profile raised by 'giving' approximately '13 minutes' of their time on stage.

May I suggest that people who have a 'conscience' and are making a 'moral stand' by having a go at people who are 'trying to make money out of a charity event' by selling their tickets, also consider the issues I have raised.

Furthermore, it is surprising that this body of people have managed to convince Ebay to remove listings. Ebay are renowned for allowing sale of any legally saleable items. These tickets can be legally sold (as Clear Channel Entertainment knows). So it appears that a minority of 'do-gooders' have forced Ebay to change it's policy for sale of goods. Have these people really considered the issues? I doubt it. For if they had, then they would realise that Ebay is a free marketplace in it's most basic form - a generator of wealth for individuals who then have the choice whether to donate their wealth to countries who need it - just as wealthy governments choose to donate some of their wealth.

Making money without harming the environment or others is good. Spending wisely is good.
Has this rule changed?

burbs_2

It seems as though we are not allowed to do anything without Bod Geldofs say so.

I am starting to get bored with all this Make Poverty History, why should we, if they are in debt then they should pay it back. Im in debt and i dont fancy paying it but no doubt i will have to.

Bob Geldof seems to think because he visits Africa, sends a few celebrities over to Africa and puts on Live 8 he needs to be worshiped for all his efforts.

Perhaps he should sort out things closer to home before he helps others out with money issues, like ringing the other members of te Boomtown Rats and sorting out the royalty issues. No doubt he wont need to call a press conference to discuss that.

trafalgar_2

Crikey,everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as they respect others right to the same and don't offend anyone .
so to add mine to this debate about the re-sale of Live8 tickets and the wider issue of debt relief etc

'there but for the grace go we'...................................and everyone has to judge for themselves and live with their own consciences

gravitytolls

burbs
These countries may not iwe millions in debt and accumulating interest, had theWest not colonised, withdrawn and armed them.

Had Africa been left alone to make it's way, it wouldn't be in the grip of financial crisis, war and genocidal fanaticism. Had we not sold arms to the highest bidder, innocent lives may not be lost every day.

And whatever we think of our fellow man, can our consciences really allow people to starve to death?

burbs_2

Im not saying starve them to death.

My argument is with the fact that Bob Geldof is fine with making revenue off the 2 million texts he has received at £1.50 each. This is going to the running of the event - thats going to cost £3,000,000 is it?

Then when people do not want to go they are forced to keep their tickets as they are not allowed to sell them via Ebay.

There is no rule to stop anyone selling them so why should we not be allowed. All because Bob Geldof got a bee in his bonnet as he was not going to be able to take all the avaliable money from the sale. He cares that much about the plight in Africa that he can afford to tell Ebay that he did not want to accept their donation?? How does that work then

trafalgar_2

burbs wrote:

He cares that much about the plight in Africa that he can afford to tell Ebay that he did not want to accept their donation?? How does that work then

I think the reasoning behind this was,if he had accepted the money it would of been like saying ,oh it's ok go ahead and make loads of money out of these tickets as long as you hand over a small portion...............................the tickets are free,if people get them and can't go ,give them to someone who can,let someone go and support the day (charge them the cost of the calls if necessary,but that's all)

burbs_2

But there is no law against selling these tickets so why should the people who won them not be allowed to sell them on. Why can Bob Geldof decide that we cant sell them on?

People want to sell, people want to buy, there is no law against selling them so whats the problem and point of your argument?

Bob Geldof does not see the proceeds of these Ebay auctions so people are not allowed to do it. If he had a way of controlling it and taking all the money that was made trading them i can guarantee he would not have a problem with them being sold.

Tojo_Ralph

burbs wrote:

I am starting to get bored with all this Make Poverty History, why should we, if they are in debt then they should pay it back. Im in debt and i dont fancy paying it but no doubt i will have to.

You appear to be missing a very important point here..... You chose to borrow money... Thus you are in debt.

Those who are suffering in Africa are not those that borrowed the money, just as those who borrowed the money are not suffering.

It's along the same lines as ..... Those who start wars don't die fighting.

trafalgar_2

burbs wrote:

But there is no law against selling these tickets so why should the people who won them not be allowed to sell them on. Why can Bob Geldof decide that we cant sell them on?

People want to sell, people want to buy, there is no law against selling them so whats the problem and point of your argument?

Bob Geldof does not see the proceeds of these Ebay auctions so people are not allowed to do it. If he had a way of controlling it and taking all the money that was made trading them i can guarantee he would not have a problem with them being sold.

I think your wrong but that's just my view,your right there is no law against it so those who wish to can.......................he can't tell people what they can or cannot sell,but he has the right to say it's wrong just as others have the right to say it's not and ignore him

I have no argument..................just a point of view,that's all

cosmokramer2004

gravitytolls wrote:

Had we not sold arms to the highest bidder, innocent lives may not be lost every day.

bloody eBay caught in the middle again!! when will they learn......