What would Bono say?

Is this representative of the "U2 in SL" group: Link

I certainly hope there are some polite and level-headed members of the group that can speak more eloquently than the person who responded to legitimate concerns about whether or not the effort is motivated more out of self-interest than out of a desire to promote a cause. I know that I and many others who support charitable groups IRL would be more interested in respectful communication than in crude insults.

Worse yet, I'd hate to imagine someone affiliated with the real band stumbling across this immature tantrum thereby adversely impacting any chance for legitimizing what *might* be a genuine effort.

I just saw this as well: (for reference) /108/58/90578/1.html

He sounds more like Bono than Bono does!. I bet he even typed that post with an irish accent!

No this is representative of Demian Caldera, the others are much nicer and speak better English too!

I'll respond in German if you like. I'm a bit more eloquent in my first language, I have to, I'm a journalist. Other than that, I still feel sorry for you. Why is that insulting?

Chap, you're a real U2 connoisseur!

Only Bono's own words (in the song "One" conflict with the attitude and the actions of the only group member to speak out.

The question remains: Is this group making us "crawl" (and being condescending at the same time in it's "don't question our sincerity" stance) or are they legitimately interested in supporting the ONE effort?

Let's assume for a moment that this is not motivated by humanitarian concerns but instead is a means of selfish self-promotion. What could the SL community reasonably ask of an in-world charity to give them an opportunity to prove otherwise?

I notice how nothing is said by the large audience that attended, of which I was one, and also that most who attended really enjoyed the event and the staff who worked there were fantastic.

I seriously suggest you take your head from between your legs mate and stop using your holier-than-thou attitude to grab headlines and mislead readers who weren't there

What readers?

I don't have anything to do with Clickable Culture. Apparently you should follow your own suggestion. Mate.

The question remains. Would anyone care to answer it? Let me repeat:

What could the SL community reasonably ask of an in-world charity to give them an opportunity to prove otherwise?

Cven, please read this typcial announcement for a U2 in SL concert found at this link:

/invalid_link.html

Please take special note at the bottom where they:

1) State they are role playing as U2

2) Do this to promote awareness of the ONE campaign

3) Identify the REAL WORLD websites (re: Official) websites where we can a) sign an online petition and b) gain more information of these causes and I would assume make direct contributions to those groups if we choose.

At no time have I been asked when attending these concerts to donate Linden to anyone.

The concerts are FREE. The mementos are FREE. They are accompanied by a notecard that restates the purpose of the role play as given in the announcement above.

I am at a loss to understand what you think is self serving here? If you mean doing something you love and at the same time raise awareness of something you believe in, "self serving" then maybe they are guilty as charged. I wish more people in SL were so guilty.

Frankly, I don't blame Demian for being miffed as I doubt that you have done any homework short of reading a blog entry as to what they are doing. Your emphasis on Demian being the only one to speak out, implies strongly you have not made any of your own effort to talk to the organizers of the group before starting a show down in the forums.

I have spoken to the members of this group. In fact I have spoken to them as well as writen about them as long ago as 2003 when they first introduced U2 in THERE as a presentation of the THERE street players. Demian is passionate about U2 and is VERY passionate about the causes they support. As there are a ton of THERE players in SL, I'm sure they will also recall that U2 in THERE was as much as an anticipated event as it is now in SL.

'wave 'blowkiss at Demian (I miss sitting on your deck in Ootay)

-Rose (a long time U2 in BOTH virtual worlds fan)

edited to add: "What would Bono say?" probably "Rock on!"

One question I've always had about this U2 in SL thing:

Did anybody who did this actually get permission to either associate the group name U2 or the image likeness via. avatars to the image of U2 from the band itself?

Roooosssseeeee 'blowkiss 'n 'wave
We can sit on the deck again, if you still have an account in There! We still are all There, we still have the clubhouse, I still ride my bike when I'm getting disgusted in SL.
I'll be There whenever you are!

I attended both concerts in SL..... the show and the people attending were grand. There were no problems, other than a few oucrys for being bald I asked if I could help with security after the first one and I did help with it during the second one. I would like to thank everyone involved. It was one kind of an event in SL that will bring back memories of the fun, fellowship and understanding what SL is about.

I wondered how long it would take for someone to start trying to cause a problem about it, it didnt take long hehehe But there will always be naysayers about anything. But, I for one enjoyed the wonderful time and memories the concerts were.

I've read that announcement and others before. While this might be news to some people, it's not to me.



At no time have I suggested money exchanged hands.



You are correct. By self-serving I mean anything self-serving. It's only when people tack on their own meaning that they take offense. However, there are also other ways to be self-serving; ways that neither require an exchange of money nor satisfy a personal desire. Here's the issue: "maybe they are guilty as charged". That's why I'm asking the question I've posed in this thread.

Also, while you and others might read my questions as an attack, they are not. My comments on Clickable Culture made no accusations; only stated that I had doubts about the motives. The response to my doubts was a direct insult indicating an unwillingness to be transparent. Perhaps the "U2 in SL" team should read some posts over on WorldChanging regarding transparency (btw, I'm also not affiliated with that site).



And I doubt you know what you're talking about in this regard. As someone who, on this forum, has expressed a strong interest in trademark and brand identity, assuming that I'm not familiar with this situation would be a mistake.



I wasn't aware I needed to contact the organizers before responding to one of the member's comments and thereby introduce a legitimate issue surrounding this, and potentially other, in-world organizations that imply - through visual/audible means and name association - to speak on behalf of real-world counter-parts. While I suspect that most will think I'm concerned about "U2 in SL", I'm not.



Passion is no excuse for crude behavior. I hope you're not excusing it.



I think Bono would say, "How can I convince you that what we're doing is solely for the benefit of others." So far I've not seen anyone answer the question I've posed.

I want to attend this, but I keep missing it. I never know when it'll be done again. Is there a group we can join to stay up-to-date?

"If companies don't like losing control of their brand in meatspace, are they ever in for a virtual surprise."

Maybe responses like this are the reason why.

Here is what Bono would say:

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=173885682&p=y73886388

Maybe, just maybe, as a ResMod, you should just keep the fuck out. You're outside the discourse, you cannot comment without it having an extra meaning. Maybe you should realise that.

Unfortuantely, or fortunately which ever way you look at it, you accepted a position that means you cannot just comment in the normal way you would on a forum, as you have extra powers that dictate that you are, in effect, different and more relevant than the "normal user".

Just a thought.

Responses like what?

Maybe brands don't want "I'm really trying to understand your point of view, but I can't stick my head that far up my a**!" associated with them.

I'm of the let people remix your brand/product mindset but I can also see why the old guard is hanging on. The key is to find some middle ground.

Although I don't know that guy well, one thing I gathered from him. He never uses any excuses for his behavior. He just seems to be himself.

He offered me a house on their land when I ran into him as a newbie. He offered it for free, because I only have a basic account. He helped me making my avatar look nice and gave me tons of stuff he had made or had collected for free! This guy doesn't come across as selfish. You, on the other hand, come across as a ---- nevermind.

Yeah. That had occurred to me as well. And like you I don't see the point in attempting to protect content, which is why I'm not concerned about the abuse of U2's image. I do however have my own reasons for asking these questions (which have yet to be answered).

I'll finish for you

"as a person about whom you know even less and probably have formed an incorrect opinion based on an inability to fathom my reasons for pursuing this issue."

How's that.

It enrages me when I hear criticism leveled at the U2 in SL event, organizers etc. The group is highly ethical and bends over backwards to give the SL world a true concert experience while promoting the ONE campaign in it's purest form. They devote countless hours and they spend money out of their own pockets to make it happen. They take no compensation or donations of any kind. I have never heard the U2 in SL group promote themselves at any time during this venture.

I personally think that they embody what is in Bono's mind and heart:

"When the story of these times gets written, we want it to say that we did all we could, and it was more than anyone could have imagined." -- Bono

Thank God U2 in SL is using their imagination in our virtual world to make a difference.

Please point out to me any 'abuse' .

Where is the criticism?