"What bothers me is that U2 is probably THE most particular (i.e. anal) band out there and you have these people working for them always making all sorts of mistakes."
This is probably one of the most perceptive, potentially damaging comments ever made about U2.
And I am going to venture a moment into this territory. (I hope I know what I'm doing....)
I have been a follower of U2 for twenty five years and I love and respect them on the highest level possible....
but they are human and can and DO MAKE MISTAKES. (sometimes big mistakes)
One of the traits that U2 are famous for is their deep sense of loyalty. Maybe this comes from the social culture(s) that they were raised in or maybe it just comes from their family upbringing.
But we all have marveled at their sense of loyalty to each other which has kept U2 together through some very difficult times.
And to be successful in the music industry, you have to surround yourself with with individuals who you feel will be loyal back to you. Unfortunately, there have been times when U2 have invited someone into thir "family" (as Bono put it the other day) only to see those individuals turn around and not be worthy of that trust.
But U2 continues to maintain that close-knit family structure, even when (at times) it would be to their benefit to let in some "fresh blood".
This unquestioning loyalty that U2 exhibits toward those in their inner circle can actually come back to "harm" them in some way down the road - and undoubtedly has. (Look at our comments here about the shoddy writing at U2.com.)
This unquestioning loyalty and unfortunate repercussions has also been present in some of Bono's humanitarian efforts that we all know about. (I will not comment about this any further....I know when to plead the Fifth Amendment.
)
I would hope that this will change down the road and that good writers for U2.com will be hired even if they come from a U2 fansite (we're in back of you, helloangel
)
and that the best people for Bono's humanitarian organizations will be hired (although some of the best are there right now).
But that means that U2 will need to put their rational thinking skills in front of their hearts (which is sometimes hard for them to do) and make BUSINESS decisions- in music as well in humanitarian efforts - with clear thinking and less emotional connections.
I know I make sense here and I speak from some general knowledge of things.
Now I'll go hide and see if the sky falls on me.
(I never used that smilie before)
I will always love and respect U2 - enough to disagree with them sometimes!