when did U2 start to suck?

[TripletDaddy]

I just don't get the hypocritical claims, like noting the concert is $150.

Perfect. This is exactly what the band is hoping from its fanbase. As long as they continue to not see the hypocrisy, U2 The Brand will thrive.

I wonder if U2 can create an even more expensive stage for the next tour? And then take that multi-million dollar stage to famine-impoverished countries and perform for a discounted $80 per ticket.

[creekster]

Perfect. This is exactly what the band is hoping from its fanbase. As long as they continue to not see the hypocrisy, U2 The Brand will thrive.

I wonder if U2 can create an even more expensive stage for the next tour? And then take that multi-million dollar stage to famine-impoverished countries and perform for a discounted $80 per ticket.

So you hate brands? WHere do you buy your clothing?

[TripletDaddy]

So you hate brands? WHere do you buy your clothing?

on the contrary. I never said I hate brands.

I am fine with the brand "U2." I think I said the other day that it is a powerful brand.

But make no mistake....U2 is not about the music anymore. This thread is about the suckage of the band. The die-hard fans like jaysantos don't see the suckage because, well...they are die-hard. A good fan goes down with the ship.

U2 has adopted the Rolling Stones business model. U2 uses music to promote the brand. Any music will do. As such, they will continue to churn out mediocre or forgettable albums for 20 more years, probably. Anything to keep the brand moving.

Other things that help the brand:

1. Staying in the media: since the music won't keep Malum Vox in the spotlight, might as well adopt some high-pro causes, hang with world leaders, etc.
2. Mass marketing: check....merch agreements with brands like Apple and Target are a good start.
3. Gimmicks: custom iPods, expensive t shirts, crazy elaborate stages, etc...

I actually got a big kick out of RobinFinderson's post about meeting U2. Here we have a band that is allegedly championing the dismissal of billions of dollars in debt and what are they doing? They are soliciting bids from a world-renown architect to build a tricked out custom recording studio. Or maybe it was to build the most expensive stage set-up of all time. Kind of hard to take seriously anything those guys do these days.

dut's post about U2 doing a Spiderman musical was the icing on the cake.

[Levin]

DDD says spending time with children is important, and yet he (allegedly) has a job and goes to work, taking time away from spending time with his children. HYPOCRITE!

Oh, and he probably sends his kids to preschool and/or public elementary school. Taking the kids away from time with parents! HYPOCRITE!

[Levin]

Actually, here's a better one: DDD says spending time with his kids is important, and he prides himself in spending time with them. And yet he has spent a cajillion hours on CB, CG, CUF, . . . . HYPOCRITE!

[TripletDaddy]

DDD says spending time with children is important, and yet he (allegedly) has a job and goes to work, taking time away from spending time with his children. HYPOCRITE!

Oh, and he probably sends his kids to preschool and/or public elementary school. Taking the kids away from time with parents! HYPOCRITE!

this is a pretty lame retort, but if anything, it is an admission that I am right.

At this point, you are essentially admitting to U2's hypocrisy, but shifting the focus to potential hypocrisies in my life.

Victory is mine!

ps I never said spending time with children is important.

[TripletDaddy]

Actually, here's a better one: DDD says spending time with his kids is important, and he prides himself in spending time with them. And yet he has spent a cajillion hours on CB, CG, CUF, . . . . HYPOCRITE!

No, it isn't much better.

[Levin]

this is a pretty lame retort, but if anything, it is an admission that I am right.

At this point, you are essentially admitting to U2's hypocrisy, but shifting the focus to potential hypocrisies in my life.

Victory is mine!

ps I never said spending time with children is important.

"Your honor, his retort proves I'm right. I rest my case."

"Counsel, and how does his retort prove you're right?"

"I said I rest my case. I win!"

p.s.

I pride myself on spending a good deal of time with my kids. It has always been something that is very important to me and probably one of the few things I got right in my life. But I think that you can never re-commit yourself too much to your children.

[TripletDaddy]

"Your honor, his retort proves I'm right. I rest my case."

"Counsel, and how does his retort prove you're right?"

"I said I rest my case. I win!"

p.s.

well what do you know, I guess I did say that. I do spend a lot of time with my kids.

I spend relatively little time working, however.

Your obfuscation is awesome. It is proving the suckiness of U2.

It is apparent that you likely attended one of the shows on this current tour.

[Levin]

Anyways, you're obviously having trouble, and so let me help you out by starting on the logic:

I believe you when you say spending time with your kids is important to you -- and I liked the thread you started on that topic.

But b/c you fail to spend 24 hours each day with your kids does not make you a hypocrite.

In fact, by going to work it helps your children.

Same with U2: b/c they go on tour, and charge market prices for tickets to their concerts, does not result in "hypocrisy" when they lobby for debt relief. One, they can't lobby for debt relief for 24 hours each day. Two, the maintenance of their brand helps them be more effective advocates on behalf of debt relief. And going on tour helps them maintain their brand. Three, the more money they can make off their tour, the better they'll be able to lobby and contribute to debt relief. And so on and so on.

U2 are no more hypocritical by touring at market rates than you are by going to work and neglecting your children. Both are very much means to a worthy end.

[jay santos]

DDD: I'm more pissed everyone's bagging on U2's music rather than their hypocrisy, but I'll go down this road further with you. Do you also believe President Monson and other LDS GA's are hypocrites for preaching relieving the burden of the poor while wearing thousand dollar suits and being limo'd around traveling on private jets? This is such an antiquated notion you're championing.

[Levin]

In fact, by charging high prices for their concert tickets, what U2 is really doing is subscripting us all into the effort to relieve debt! Well done, Bono!

[TripletDaddy]

DDD: I'm more pissed everyone's bagging on U2's music rather than their hypocrisy, but I'll go down this road further with you. Do you also believe President Monson and other LDS GA's are hypocrites for preaching relieving the burden of the poor while wearing thousand dollar suits and being limo'd around traveling on private jets? This is such an antiquated notion you're championing.

if it makes you feel less pissed, I also tried to point out that their music is fairly irrelevant. That should qualify as bagging, I would think.

Yes to your T-Mo example, btw, although it isn't relevant. we are discussing U2, not the LDS Church.

Levin is trying to dance around the fact that U2 made him spend $150 on a ticket for a mediocre concert he could have seen for free on youtube.

[Levin]

Levin is trying to dance around the fact that U2 made him spend $150 on a ticket for a mediocre concert he could have seen for free on youtube.

A vanquished DDD is a funny DDD!

[TripletDaddy]

A vanquished DDD is a funny DDD!

This thread is discussing U2. Your response was that I don't spend a lot of time with my kids. You already admitted that U2 were hypocrites. That was my only point, which you seemed to concede.

Thanks!