Does someone as rich as Bono ever have a right to ask people to give money to anything?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Plus, he did a GAP advert didn't he?

Do rock stars ever really donate themselves and their time to charity and not come across as pompous two faced idiots? Does Bono know what the real world is like?

― Ceezargh, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:32 (twenty years ago)

do you have the right to turn people off these boards with your witless blathering?

― Bonofan On Ice (blueski), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:35 (twenty years ago)

I gave money to the tsunami relief, and I earn about $30,000 a year with no benefits. I'd say that's the real world.

― Hurting (Hurting), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:39 (twenty years ago)

BAN AN A

― :| (....), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:40 (twenty years ago)

Do rock stars ever really donate themselves and their time to charityquite clearly, yes they do and not come across as pompous two faced idiots? How important is that in comparison?

― mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:40 (twenty years ago)

I gave money too. I give money to charity every month. I'm talking about Bono though.

― Ceezargh, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:42 (twenty years ago)

Do rock stars ever really get addicted to heroin and not turn up to their own gigs and not come across as pompous two-faced idiots?

― Frankenstein On Ice (blueski), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

do fans of heroin addicts ever come off as angry fundamentalists the way Bono fans do?

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:45 (twenty years ago)

it's a Catholic thing

― Frankenstein On Ice (blueski), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:47 (twenty years ago)

hmm. most "real-world" westerners are too fuckin' dumb to realise that they are also vastly, vastly wealthy in comparison to the rest of the planet. so if bono can kick their asses a bit and say, hey, get out there and give some money, why not?

yes, in a socialist utopia a binman would have the same amount of cash as a rock iconoclast with silly sunglasses, but that's not the point here. i'm not a bono fan particularly, but for fuck's sake, if he can get people to listen to him then go bono.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

on a related note: is simon reynolds making with the funny stuff with this libertines love?

― henry miller, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:50 (twenty years ago)

HOW DARE YOU QUESTION THE DUBLIN MESSIAH?

http://news2000.libero.it/spettacoli/foto/grammy14_bonoTime.jpg

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

Bono is not as rich or socially 'isolated' as Tony Blair or the President. on that basis i see no reason why he shouldn't adopt this kind of role. i object far more to him continuing to release music.

― Frankenstein On Ice (blueski), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:56 (twenty years ago)

The man is a fucking false prophet. HE PROUDLY LINES HIS COAT WITH OLD GLORY. HE HIDES HIS PIT STAINS WITH OLD GLORY. If there's anything he "raises awareness" about, its that he "raises awareness." SEE THE OMEGA CODE. You will understand his selfish mission to conquer. He who speaks from vanity corrupts the word. SEE THE OMEGA CODE.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

bono is, surely, much richer than blair.

― jed_ (jed), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 14:59 (twenty years ago)

if this were 2002 and u2 didn't have an album out bono would not be doing this shit.

― henry miller, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

he's definitely more glamorous, or else he wouldn't be able to hobknob with powerful people while wearing those damn shades.

(x-post)

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:01 (twenty years ago)

i'd donate some money if he'd promise not to release another record forever.

anyone with me? let's start a movement.

― rentboy (rentboy), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:04 (twenty years ago)

GAP advert. Shaking hands with Pope while wanting to end world hunger. Paying to fly his hat transatlantic on a private jet.

Hmmm.

― Ceezah, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:08 (twenty years ago)

the private jet even flew through the eye of Pete Doherty's needle at one point! truly luck smiles on teh Oirish...

― Frankenstein On Ice (blueski), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:10 (twenty years ago)

He only supports the hipper corporate monoliths, like Apple, Interscope and Microsoft. He hung out with Dubya so that he could...well...um...I saw a picture...he must be doing something good...um...FORGIVE ME BONO, I STILL HAVE FAITH IN THEE!!!

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:10 (twenty years ago)

HE HIDES HIS PIT STAINS WITH OLD GLORY

hey so does Britney

― Frankenstein On Ice (blueski), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

CAN BRITNEY SAVE THE WORLD?

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:13 (twenty years ago)

yes but not before her marriage

― Frankenstein On Ice (blueski), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:13 (twenty years ago)

Bono is totally gonna start the Nu-Catholic Church in the next 20 years. SEE THE OMEGA CODE.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:14 (twenty years ago)

does anyone have the right to do anything anytime ever?

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:50 (twenty years ago)

wtf is The Omega Code?!

― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:52 (twenty years ago)

does anyone have the right to do anything anytime ever?

-- fact checking cuz

you've no right to ask that

― rentboy (rentboy), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:53 (twenty years ago)

Christian right malarkey about the end days that actually makes sense if you imagine that Michael York is playing Bono.

BEHOLD!

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:53 (twenty years ago)

(x-post)

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:54 (twenty years ago)

I would like Bono more if he talked like Michael York!

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:54 (twenty years ago)

I think the UK may have missed out on that one.

― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:55 (twenty years ago)

bono is old and silly.

his wife, however, seems like a delightful woman.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

you've no right to ask that

you've no right to tell me that. only bono can tell me that. or michael york.

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

my response to the thread question - he's not going to stop, so take no notice of him.

but am i talking about calum or bono?

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 16:00 (twenty years ago)

I shouldn't even bother with a Callum thread, but ...

oh, fuckit .. [delete]

jesus h. christ ...

He's a capitalist - he doesn't have to give up everything he makes and he's not asking other people to either.. Just asking that people give up something to help someone else. You're still entitled to a 60GB iPod and a hot meal if you worked for it. But remember the guy who has no food now and then. (And tonight thank god it's them instead of YOOOUUUUUU!)

fuxake.

― dave225 (Dave225), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 16:01 (twenty years ago)

Still thats a better worldview than Ayn Rand fuck-the-poor-ism.

As for "the Omega Code", I saw that movie (my friend and i wanted to see "a bad movie" which is usually not as fun as it sounds even though MST3K MAKES IT LOOK SO EASY!) at a local $1.50 theater which closed down a few years later and was turned into a "World Redemption Outreach Center", which is basically a fundamentalist/evangelical church which lures kids with "funtime activities" and crap like that. South Carolina!

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

Do rock stars ever really donate themselves and their time to charity and not come across as pompous two faced idiots?

Wow. Can music snobs ever shout to the hills about their charitable donations and not come across as pompous two faced idiots?

Get over it already. Bono actually does give to charity and wants other people to as well. How is that different from what you're doing with this thread?

― mrjosh (mrjosh), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 16:12 (twenty years ago)

Cos he's worth more than most people can dream of. If he had given the money it cost him to private jet to the London recording studio to re-do his "tonight thank God it's them..." line to the poor wouldn't he have saved more lives?

And I wouldn't do a GAP ad on personal moral reasons. But Bono did. and he's a moron. Clearly.

― Ceezart, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 16:15 (twenty years ago)

What are these personal moral reasons, anyway? Is this some sort of kneejerk nologo-ism?

Traveling by private jet he's able to be more productive and able to spread his love-giving message faster. Sure, he may blow $100K in fuel, but if it convinces an extra hundred people to give a thousand each, he's breaking even!

if this were 2002 and u2 didn't have an album out bono would not be doing this shit.

Remember the Super Bowl half time show with the scrolling names and Bono pretending to be American? I think that was 2002.

― mike h. (mike h.), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 16:27 (twenty years ago)

Calum we BEG you PLEASE do an advert for us.

― The Gap, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

>>>Remember the Super Bowl half time show with the scrolling names and Bono pretending to be American? I think that was 2002.

Remember right in the middle of that when a corporate logo popped on screen? Never underestimate a large corporation's aptitude for tasteless promotion.

― ezruh sellof, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 19:17 (twenty years ago)

Can we split "Bono, the Terrible Singer of a Decent Irish Rock Band" from "Bono, the Generally Intelligent Advocate for Human Rights"? Because the first unfairly colors arguments against the second. Is it any more right for Bill Clinton or Tony Blair or Tom Hanks to take a jet to a fundraising event? Bono is pretty respected among world leaders, and has done much to illuminate a number of injustices that otherwise may have been glossed over and forgotten, particularly in Africa.

I would hate to think that if I managed to become famous, people would hate me merely for wanting to improve the world.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 19:39 (twenty years ago)

Bono has never done a GAP ad. His missus has worked tireslessly for a wide variety of charities and especially human rights organisations for the past twenty years. She is a huge influence on him and the reason why he speaks out on many occasions. Millions and millions and millions of pounds and dollars have been given in her name to charities. You just sound like a loser who likes to bitch about people who like to try.

― Aislinn, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 19:59 (twenty years ago)

Daft Punk did a GAP and then DJd to raise money for aid in Afghanistan. Moby sold his music to Toyota and spent the money on donations to environmentally friendly anti-car organisations and charities. If you can't grasp the concept of being the conduit through which funds transfer from one end of a line to another then it's you who is the moron (as if that wasn't obvious anyway) with naive notions about dealing with the capitalist system as an artist.

― Frankenstein On Ice (blueski), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 20:50 (twenty years ago)

I'm gonna get TONS of material from this! Keep up the good work "Ceezargh"! ; )

― Blogging Blofeld, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 20:52 (twenty years ago)

too bad Bono doesn't look cool enough whilst raising funds. what he needs is a drug habit and fans willing to mythologize him as a dead rock star whilst he still is alive.

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 20:59 (twenty years ago)

what he needs is to take the fucking shades off.

― m1cc1o, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:01 (twenty years ago)

yes that too, then I'll grudgingly say he might have done a bit of good. but still, the drug habit would help.

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:02 (twenty years ago)

xpost

On Ice, On The Money.

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:06 (twenty years ago)

And I wouldn't do a GAP ad on personal moral reasons.

Me neither. Fuck that corporate bullshit. I'm just gonna sit here at my Dell workstation with my Levi's and Nikes on using Internet Explorer to decide which barn jacket from J.Crew online best matches the leather case I bought for my iPod Photo.

And while I'm waiting for the page to load, I'll pop over ilx and complain about Bono's two-faced shenanigans.

― martin m. (mushrush), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:14 (twenty years ago)

if bono has ever raised one cent that helped another human being than good for him....it's more than I've ever done.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:17 (twenty years ago)

bono fans are a testy bunch. HOLD NO IDOLS BEFORE THE LORD, PEOPLE!

― m1cc1o, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:18 (twenty years ago)

M@tt, don't get so down on yourself. At least once you've helped me not spend money on a game that sucks. And for that matter you've also probably helped me at least once to spend money on a game that doesn't.

― martin m. (mushrush), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:19 (twenty years ago)

see what Calum wants is for Bono to give the money to him. and it's never going to happen. never ever in a million years.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:20 (twenty years ago)

http://www.readio.com/nywindowgallery/tribeca-film-festival/images/pictures-renee-zellweger-bono-ewan-mcgregor.jpg

this must have been between hair implants

― m1cc1o, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:22 (twenty years ago)

those knees are weirding me out

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:23 (twenty years ago)

he's really concerned with glamour, see

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:24 (twenty years ago)

stevem = teh r1ght30usness!!! m1cc10 = t3h funn3y!!!! calum = teh pwnz0r3d!!!!1!

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:26 (twenty years ago)

Can we split "Bono, the Terrible Singer of a Decent Irish Rock Band" from "Bono, the Generally Intelligent Advocate for Human Rights"? Because the first unfairly colors arguments against the second.

no, because the former makes possible the latter

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:29 (twenty years ago)

That hat is Durstian.

― Leon the Fratboy (Ex Leon), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:30 (twenty years ago)

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ca/yuba/cemeteryphotos/Wheatland/Surnames-A-D/durst-rose-1836-1917.JPG

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:31 (twenty years ago)

RIP

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:31 (twenty years ago)

HOLY FUCKING SHIT A PHOTO OF BONO IN THE LAST THREE YEARS WHERE HE'S NOT WEARING SHADES.

http://www.pgaf.org/newsletter/issue01/images/bono_onstage_l.jpg
http://www.unl.edu/scarlet/v13n16/bono.jpg
(2002, Lincoln, Nebraska - Heart Of America tour)

to reaffirm how rare this is,

http://wiesenthal.speedera.net/www.wiesenthal.com/img/bono.jpg

The only place in the last four years Bono hasn't worn sunglasses is LINCOLN, NEBRASKA. WHY? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

I must watch the Omega Code again for clues.

― m1cc1o, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:35 (twenty years ago)

Haha I wouldn't do a GAP ad for moral reasons either, I'D DO IT FOR THE MONEY!!

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:36 (twenty years ago)

Maybe he's a bit like Rowdy Roddy Piper in They Live.

― Leon the Fratboy (Ex Leon), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:37 (twenty years ago)

But who is his Keith David?

― Leon the Fratboy (Ex Leon), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:37 (twenty years ago)

David Keith
http://www.cinema24.ch/images/casts/keith%20david.jpg

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:40 (twenty years ago)

http://www.u2world.com/news/IMG/jpg/2003-11-25t013927z_01_nyk802d_rtridsp_2_leisure-bono.jpg

Judging by the evidence it is starting to look like my initial theory (Bono wears shades because he is slowly changing to a demonic form and his eyes are now red and glowing) doesn't fly. I like your They Live concept, Nicole.

― m1cc1o, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:41 (twenty years ago)

Bono pulled my mom out of a crush of people front-row center at a show once whilst she was having some trouble breathing, he's nice enough.

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:48 (twenty years ago)

so you say...but you are a FAN...can your anecdote be trusted? you might be working for him...wait...ALL of you might be working for him...

― m1cc1o, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:51 (twenty years ago)

as the story goes me mum was front row center on the floor at the United Center during their last tour and as Bono came around that ramp stage everyone pressed up to grab at his sac and me mum--5'2" 90 lbs--was getting crushed so he leaned over and gave her a hand w/security's help and she sat in the area between the stage and crowd for a few songs. I wasn't there, this is according to my brother. She never told me this, since she was embarrassed actually...

where's my check Bono??

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:56 (twenty years ago)

is there anyone on ILX who loves U2?

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 21:58 (twenty years ago)

Matthew Perpetua, at least.

(btw all the above posts were me. I was just being lazy at work and not signing in)

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 23:05 (twenty years ago)

Judging by the evidence it is starting to look like my initial theory (Bono wears shades because he is slowly changing to a demonic form and his eyes are now red and glowing) doesn't fly.

"Doesn't fly", haha.

http://www.allthatu2leftbehind.fsnet.co.uk/pictures/bono/images/bono25.jpg

― David A. (Davant), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 23:23 (twenty years ago)

I can even make out a red glow behind the left lens. I think you're onto something, miccio.

― David A. (Davant), Tuesday, 4 January 2005 23:24 (twenty years ago)

two years pass...

Schadenfreude-alicious

― Nicole, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 19:38 (eighteen years ago)

yeah it feels really good knowing that a plan to help create money for AIDS relief failed.

....

― deej, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:17 (eighteen years ago)

You're missing the point dude -- this makes Bono look bad.

― Mark Rich@rdson, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:19 (eighteen years ago)

i get the point, i think its tacky considering more people have a stake in this than bono

― deej, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:22 (eighteen years ago)

Yeah, but don't you think it would have been more productive for Bono et al to contribute money directly to Aids relief rather than run the silly "Go Red" campaign in the first place? I'm really uncomfortable with the idea of a millionaire telling people that the way to help people suffering from aids is to buy a new ipod.

― Nicole, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:38 (eighteen years ago)

Nicole OTM

― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:45 (eighteen years ago)

This Red thing always pissed me off, and it was the thing that finally made me believe that Bono doesn't really give a shit about the causes he claims to care about, but only cares about being seen to care about things. There are many excellent established NGOs, GOs, and old-fashioned charities doing excellent work in exactly the area the Red campaign wanted to establish itself. So what was the point of it? It was a dreadful idea from the word go. I'm glad it is doing poorly. It's just a shame all that money and marketing power and star power wasn't put to a better use by getting behind some initiatives that are already getting stuff done.

― accentmonkey, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:46 (eighteen years ago)

Nicole I think they were attempting to replicate the kind of energy that the whole livestrong bracelets had, and that was an overwhelming success. I don't really have a problem with people buying products that they would be buying anyway and having the profits go towards fighting AIDS, no.

― deej, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:48 (eighteen years ago)

i mean i'm not defending this campaign - obviously someone fucked up. but 'schadenfreud' seems a little strong for my feelings regarding the failure of an AIDS charity

― deej, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:52 (eighteen years ago)

If it were really a charity, I would feel terrible. But it was more a case of marketing dressed up as philanthropy.

― Nicole, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:56 (eighteen years ago)

GAP could've just given their marketing budget to charity

― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 20:59 (eighteen years ago)

In defense of Bono/Red:

Okay, it clearly isn't working as well as a lot of folks hoped. But this seems unfair: "Bono doesn't really give a shit about the causes he claims to care about, but only cares about being seen to care about things." Of course, we've got every right to think what we will of Bono's true motives, but we'll never really know anything about that. And it doesn't much matter anyway.

"There are many excellent established NGOs, GOs, and old-fashioned charities doing excellent work in exactly the area the Red campaign wanted to establish itself. So what was the point of it?"
-- accentmonkey

"If it were really a charity, I would feel terrible. But it was more a case of marketing dressed up as philanthropy."
-- Nicole

"GAP could've just given their marketing budget to charity."
-- Shakey

Even if Red is a total failure, the intended point is obvious. Through Red, Bono and others hoped to establish a purely commercial mechanism that would financially reward large companies for funneling a little money to the needy. Presently, these companies serve only their own bottom lines. Red attempted to build a reward system into the marketplace that would essentially force the process of capitalism to work in service of the poor. I mean, come on: no company would ever just GIVE this much marketing money to charity. Red attempts to convince them (the companies) that it's financially wise give now and keep on giving into the forseeable future.

Works like this: by spending tons of money up front, Red attempted first to convince the public that they should buy these products -- that by doing so they would be "saving the world", and that saving the world is something they really want to do. With this seed planted in the consumer's mind (secured by a MASSIVE advertising outlay), partner companies could then profit from consumers' interest in helping others by buying do-gooder-approved stuff. That's the point.

If the first push was successful (not necessarily in terms of charitable donations raised, but in terms of increased sales and good PR for the participant companies), then other companies would clamor to join, and the project would, over time, raise more and more money. Companies would come to see charitable giving as a necessary part of their branding and customer relationship maintenance efforts. In a small way, the world would be changed.

This is consistent with Bono's approach to charitable work in general. He's been criticized for failing to voice his opposition to politicians, policies and governments that many people think he should oppose. But it's clear that he doesn't want to be a voice in opposition. For every politician you oppose, there's one less powerful person out there who might be willing to help you help others. By sticking simply to helping people and putting aside all other considerations, Bono allows his message/appeal to resonate across the political spectrum. He's trying to find ways to bring money and power together in service of those who have neither.

Even if this new venture has failed, and even if you think he was stupid for trying it in the first place, it's a noble, interesting and even subversive attempt.

― Pye Poudre, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 21:26 (eighteen years ago)

If it were really a charity, I would feel terrible. But it was more a case of marketing dressed up as philanthropy.

Or, its philanthropy dressed up as marketing. Or its both.

― deej, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 21:30 (eighteen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.