Typical U2 Hater List (feel free to add)

[11o´clock]

Bono: U2 together until we die - News | MSN Music The comments in this article have nothing to do with it (Stupid and idiot people they are)

 

[gvox]

(Stupid and idiot people they are)

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

Bono: U2 together until we die - News | MSN Music The comments in this article have nothing to do with it (Stupid and idiot people they are)

Wow, that was pretty brutal. Evidently Bono still comes off as arrogant or whatever to these commenters. People used to hate him for being charitable simply because he was rich, but now they really seem to be clinging on to the 'tax-dodge' thing.

It's really sad to see someone be treated like this - can anyone think of any other celebrity who gets this amount of casual hate?

I hope this general hatred of Bono doesn't last forever - there's nothing i've ever read about him that makes me think he's not a nice guy, and it's really sad that a rich guy can't be charitable/promote charity as well. Would the people attacking Bono prefer that anybody he might help out, not get that help so that the attackers don't have to 'suffer' hearing him talk about it?

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

I might as well tell of my first encounter with a real u2/bono hater. It was a girl i was dating recently, and she made it very clear how much she thought Bono was an arrogant, selfish, poor excuse for a human being.

"Bono is such a twat" she'd say.
"Why do you think that?" I'd reply.
"Well, everyone i talk to thinks he's an asshole."
"... right, but what specifically do you hate about him?"
"Well, he's just so arrogant. Constantly telling us to give money to charities, even though he never gives any himself. Plus, nothing he does makes any difference to africa anyway?"
"Really? When was the last time you saw him asking you for money?"
"Whatever, he's just an asshole"
"How do you know he doesn't give any money?"
"Whatever. I don't care. He's an asshole."
"Are you aware of the work he's done with the One campaign, or product red? And you do know that the general public donating money to these organisations would do more good than one rich person throwing all his cash at the problem to make it go away?"
"Whatever. He's an asshole."

I tried to explain that Bono does far more than simply preach about the problem. That he actually invests time, effort and money into real organisations that do real work, some of which he helped found himself. But she hardly even let me finish a sentence without throwing out another insult. She also said that she knows "bono only does it to get noticed. I can't prove it, but i just know".

I wish i was exaggerating, but all the above is almost exactly what she said. She seemed so focused on antagonising him, whilst refusing to look at the big picture. She seemed very much swept up in a 'mob mentality', talking about how her friends told her about the tax issues etc. She could kind of paraphrase and parrot some stuff she heard, but she seemed to almost refuse to think for herself on these issues. She was dead-set on hating Bono, and no information or discussion i offered would sway her.

And the thing is, whilst it was really awful to have this conversation with her, it reminded me almost exactly of the 'haters' you see online - focused on hating Bono simply because everyone else is, parroting some piece of misinformation or slanted information, whilst refusing to look at any positive aspects of Bono's work.

Sad really, but it really does exist in the world. It is 'cool' to hate Bono. And people hate him because he's rich and charitable. Because he's rich and trying to save lives. That's pretty sickening.

 

[gvox]

I honestly lose no sleep about what anyone I know thinks of him. I don't care, period.

Having said, that, hopefully youre not dating her anymore..not because she hates Bono, but because she was clearly saying those things to upset you. Assuming you werent clubbing her over head with U2 stuff daily and/or bowing down to a statue of him, theres no reason for her to carry on like that. She doesnt have to like him, but if she respects you she will respect that you do and leave it at that. Or get to steppin

And besides, that kind of blind irrational hatred is not healthy to be around. Most people who are worth being with realize that reality lies somewhere in between such polarizing type stances on shit.

 

[secretly alone]

I might as well tell of my first encounter with a real u2/bono hater. It was a girl i was dating recently, and she made it very clear how much she thought Bono was an arrogant, selfish, poor excuse for a human being.

"Bono is such a twat" she'd say.
"Why do you think that?" I'd reply.
"Well, everyone i talk to thinks he's an asshole."
"... right, but what specifically do you hate about him?"
"Well, he's just so arrogant. Constantly telling us to give money to charities, even though he never gives any himself. Plus, nothing he does makes any difference to africa anyway?"
"Really? When was the last time you saw him asking you for money?"
"Whatever, he's just an asshole"
"How do you know he doesn't give any money?"
"Whatever. I don't care. He's an asshole."
"Are you aware of the work he's done with the One campaign, or product red? And you do know that the general public donating money to these organisations would do more good than one rich person throwing all his cash at the problem to make it go away?"
"Whatever. He's an asshole."

I tried to explain that Bono does far more than simply preach about the problem. That he actually invests time, effort and money into real organisations that do real work, some of which he helped found himself. But she hardly even let me finish a sentence without throwing out another insult. She also said that she knows "bono only does it to get noticed. I can't prove it, but i just know".

I wish i was exaggerating, but all the above is almost exactly what she said. She seemed so focused on antagonising him, whilst refusing to look at the big picture. She seemed very much swept up in a 'mob mentality', talking about how her friends told her about the tax issues etc. She could kind of paraphrase and parrot some stuff she heard, but she seemed to almost refuse to think for herself on these issues. She was dead-set on hating Bono, and no information or discussion i offered would sway her.

And the thing is, whilst it was really awful to have this conversation with her, it reminded me almost exactly of the 'haters' you see online - focused on hating Bono simply because everyone else is, parroting some piece of misinformation or slanted information, whilst refusing to look at any positive aspects of Bono's work.

Sad really, but it really does exist in the world. It is 'cool' to hate Bono. And people hate him because he's rich and charitable. Because he's rich and trying to save lives. That's pretty sickening.

Not to also be a total bitch but...how could you date such a total bitch?

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

LOL don't worry guys, we're not together anymore. It wasn't because of that discussion in particular (she did eventually drop it when i let her know that her insulting bono/u2 whilst refusing to take in any other information was pissing me off), but that mindset did carry onto other things - gvox, i agree with what you said.

She was certainly a more extreme example, but i have met plenty of others who have had very similar (at least initial) stances on Bono. And they all seem very similar to the 'casual' hater posts you see online, i.e. people who appear to be swept up in a popular mentality, and would prefer to rest comfortably on one extreme stance (kind of like a sports team) than actually go to the trouble of looking at the 'bigger picture' and having a balanced perspective. Maybe they just find it fun to have a go at someone, and Bono's an easy target...

I must say, i find it difficult to not take it personally, probably because i love the band so much, and they've been such a big part of my life, that for someone to attack them (just for the hell of it, and without a balanced perspective) annoys the hell out of me. I hope i get to where you are, gvox, so that i just don't care - i know i shouldn't.

 

[theedgeu2]

I don't give a fuck about the haters. They can kiss my ass. Hating someone who is so completely awesome because its the cool thing to do. I wonder who these haters think is "cool"?

Did I mention, I love Bono!

 

[theedgeu2]

I must say, i find it difficult to not take it personally, probably because i love the band so much, and they've been such a big part of my life, that for someone to attack them (just for the hell of it, and without a balanced perspective) annoys the hell out of me. I hope i get to where you are, gvox, so that i just don't care - i know i shouldn't.

I love what you said here man. I am very much the same way when it comes to people making fun of the band. I defend them because they are much like my family. I've got this massive connection with their music. If you don't like their music then that's fine with me but there's no need for the hatred and all the crude name calling.

And ifor the record I'd have dumped the girl for the hate toward Bono. I can't date someone who just madly hates Bono, especially for no reason at all. Which of course affects who gets along with me big time. All my friends know I'm a big time defender of Bono and U2.

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

I love what you said here man. I am very much the same way when it comes to people making fun of the band. I defend them because they are much like my family. I've got this massive connection with their music. If you don't like their music then that's fine with me but there's no need for the hatred and all the crude name calling.

And ifor the record I'd have dumped the girl for the hate toward Bono. I can't date someone who just madly hates Bono, especially for no reason at all. Which of course affects who gets along with me big time. All my friends know I'm a big time defender of Bono and U2.

I feel the same way - it's fair enough if someone simply doesn't like their music. One of my best friends has listened to a lot of u2 music, gave it a shot, and simply didn't like it, and that was fair enough. He didn't go on about it either, he simply said he didn't enjoy it, and that was that.

This girl, on the other hand, both stressed how much she hated the band/bono, and refused to listen to any points i brought up. To be honest, whilst we parted ways because of something else, if we had stayed together i'm not sure i could have endured the u2 hate

 

[Galeongirl]

Gotta love how it's the same with all the haters. Jamie, what you just typed out is pretty much the conversation as it would go with most of them. They just hate him for the sake of hating, repeat other people's bullshit statements without thinking about it for one second. Thinking is overrated I guess, its' much easier to follow the masses and hate on the internet.

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

Yeah exactly. It's odd, it's as if they don't genuinely have a reason to hate Bono, they just need someone (anyone) to hate. Like i said before, it's like siding with a sports team - these people adopt a stance opposing bono, and sink comfortably into that stance, attacking him/the band whenever the opportunity arises. Thinking about it, or looking at it from a different perspective, never comes into it.
Not saying sports fans are haters, just that these people appear to have taken a 'side'. And furthermore, emotion is much more important than any kind of unbiased perspective.
I have a feeling that if it wasn't bono around, they'd redirect this anger onto someone else... maybe chris martin?

 

[AGirlLikeTheSea]

I might as well tell of my first encounter with a real u2/bono hater. It was a girl i was dating recently, and she made it very clear how much she thought Bono was an arrogant, selfish, poor excuse for a human being.

"Bono is such a twat" she'd say.
"Why do you think that?" I'd reply.
"Well, everyone i talk to thinks he's an asshole."
"... right, but what specifically do you hate about him?"
"Well, he's just so arrogant. Constantly telling us to give money to charities, even though he never gives any himself. Plus, nothing he does makes any difference to africa anyway?"
"Really? When was the last time you saw him asking you for money?"
"Whatever, he's just an asshole"
"How do you know he doesn't give any money?"
"Whatever. I don't care. He's an asshole."
"Are you aware of the work he's done with the One campaign, or product red? And you do know that the general public donating money to these organisations would do more good than one rich person throwing all his cash at the problem to make it go away?"
"Whatever. He's an asshole."

I tried to explain that Bono does far more than simply preach about the problem. That he actually invests time, effort and money into real organisations that do real work, some of which he helped found himself. But she hardly even let me finish a sentence without throwing out another insult. She also said that she knows "bono only does it to get noticed. I can't prove it, but i just know".

I wish i was exaggerating, but all the above is almost exactly what she said. She seemed so focused on antagonising him, whilst refusing to look at the big picture. She seemed very much swept up in a 'mob mentality', talking about how her friends told her about the tax issues etc. She could kind of paraphrase and parrot some stuff she heard, but she seemed to almost refuse to think for herself on these issues. She was dead-set on hating Bono, and no information or discussion i offered would sway her.

And the thing is, whilst it was really awful to have this conversation with her, it reminded me almost exactly of the 'haters' you see online - focused on hating Bono simply because everyone else is, parroting some piece of misinformation or slanted information, whilst refusing to look at any positive aspects of Bono's work.

Sad really, but it really does exist in the world. It is 'cool' to hate Bono. And people hate him because he's rich and charitable. Because he's rich and trying to save lives. That's pretty sickening.

This is how it was when a friend of mine spurted out "Bono is a c*nt" and I asked what he based his opinion on. He refused to link to anything and he kept spurting out insults.

It's not really his hatred of Bono that get to me but it's the way he treats his opponents. He's extremely rude to people when he discus something he don't like using unnecessary words like di*k, c*nt, f*ck etc.
What infuriates me most is that he has some pet-hate cases he rants a lot about and these he at least digs up some links to point to what ticked him off. He refuses to do this when having a discussion with me, it's like his attitude is that I'm not worth it or something. It just feels extremely disrespectful and I've been pointing this out to him but he ignores this and writes sarcastic lines like "Oh, I'm so sorry I hurt your precious case".

This guy claims he's a great debater.

It's fine between us when we talk about stuff we both like and it's still why I have him on my Skype & facebook friend list.

 

[Galeongirl]

Yeah exactly. It's odd, it's as if they don't genuinely have a reason to hate Bono, they just need someone (anyone) to hate. Like i said before, it's like siding with a sports team - these people adopt a stance opposing bono, and sink comfortably into that stance, attacking him/the band whenever the opportunity arises. Thinking about it, or looking at it from a different perspective, never comes into it.
Not saying sports fans are haters, just that these people appear to have taken a 'side'. And furthermore, emotion is much more important than any kind of unbiased perspective.
I have a feeling that if it wasn't bono around, they'd redirect this anger onto someone else... maybe chris martin?

I have the same thing with mr Martin actually. But I do think he's an asshole because of the attitude of him being the best thing happening to the world, and his comments about his voice a couple years ago being sub par with Bono's on the War album. And I don't like his voice. Do like the music CP makes, just not the vocals. So I guess I at least have a few arguments that don't make me a mindless hater. Just partially mindless.

You're pretty spot on with your observations there. Sports fans do hate the opposing teams often, but I guess that's part of the game. Overzealous fandom or something like that. What I don't get is how that transferred to music. Because with music you don't really have opposing teams, you don't have enemies or winners or losers. There's just... music. You like it or you don't. And if you don't, why bother going to youtube, watching the videos you do NOT like and commenting bullshit hate on them? I just don't get it.

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

AGirlLikeTheSea, it's a shame that your friend acts like that when discussing Bono/u2. Sounds like he's more interested in a mud-slinging match than any kind of real discussion. A lot of people i know are like that with Bono/u2 (and other bands). I think it's worth not getting into a conversation like that with them, because nothing good will come out of it!

Galeongirl - I agree it's odd that this 'sports' mentality has transferred to music. As you say, music is just music, and there are no winners or losers. It's not objective, there's no ranking system beyond one's personal views, and it's never been about who's 'better' than who. So it's a real shame that so many people feel the need to attack musicians who they personally don't like. But it's just the age we live in, i guess

 

[11o´clock]

That´s a childish behaviour ¬¬ , nothing else.
As regards the battle of the bands, some people think that if you like X band, you have to hate another one.
I also read on a Facebook wall that a girl had posted that Bono gives the band an anti-rock image. I think that one thing is no to have a so rock style and another one is to be anti-rock. Besides, there was another girl who said "if I were in USA or Europe, I´d feel like throwing something at Bono when he starts to speak about poverty" This woman lives in Uruguay and....I have to say that I´ve kind of summerized the comments, because these were the ones which annoyed me the most.

 

[AGirlLikeTheSea]

AGirlLikeTheSea, it's a shame that your friend acts like that when discussing Bono/u2. Sounds like he's more interested in a mud-slinging match than any kind of real discussion. A lot of people i know are like that with Bono/u2 (and other bands). I think it's worth not getting into a conversation like that with them, because nothing good will come out of it!

Yeah, it's not only U2/Bono he slags off, he often brags about how he good he is to shut-up Christians.
I posted Phil Collins' Another Day in Paradise and he was quick to slag him off as a hypocrite because he's wealthy. That post gave me a hint to the reason he hates Bono; a wealthy person should not talk about poverty.
This doesn't even sound like an argument to me because it doesn't explain why and what the alternative should be. It just sounds like bitter jealousy to me.

 

[AGirlLikeTheSea]

That´s a childish behaviour ¬¬ , nothing else.
As regards the battle of the bands, some people think that if you like X band, you have to hate another one.
I also read on a Facebook wall that a girl had posted that Bono gives the band an anti-rock image. I think that one thing is no to have a so rock style and another one is to be anti-rock. Besides, there was another girl who said "if I were in USA or Europe, I´d feel like throwing something at Bono when he starts to speak about poverty" This woman lives in Uruguay and....I have to say that I´ve kind of summerized the comments, because these were the ones which annoyed me the most.

Ha, ha, it's the same with film-buffs. The most famous useless battle I know of is Star Wars vs Star Trek, it doesn't even help telling that you like both, it's like you're not allowed to do that.
I don't know about where you live but in Norway back in the 90s we had the battle between Oasis fans and Blur fans. The bands don't sound anything like each others.
That woman's comment is just sad.

 

[WideAwakeInNZ]

Bono haters remind me of most Bush haters.
Whenever someone hates on Bono, it's often about arrogance. But he's a rockstar! - and not nearly as arrogant as many musicians. In fact in interviews he seems pretty down to earth and friendly. Yes, he also thinks he can change the world for the better, and maybe he is a bit big headed for that, but would you rather he just put his millions in the bank?

Whenever someone hates on Bush, it's usually with reference to a Michael Moore film, a meaningless gaffe or the generic 'Iraq war = bad'.

What bothers me isn't criticism - but blind hatred for which haters have no explanation.
I don't mind if people say "I think Bono is a bit up himself for thinking he can save Africa" or "I think Bush handled the Iraq war poorly" - there is probably some truth in these things but haters usually don't want any discussion or alternative points of view.
These are two compassionate, religious, charitable and overall genuinely nice guys - yet people hate them so blindly with such a passion

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

Yeah, it's not only U2/Bono he slags off, he often brags about how he good he is to shut-up Christians.
I posted Phil Collins' Another Day in Paradise and he was quick to slag him off as a hypocrite because he's wealthy. That post gave me a hint to the reason he hates Bono; a wealthy person should not talk about poverty.
This doesn't even sound like an argument to me because it doesn't explain why and what the alternative should be. It just sounds like bitter jealousy to me.

I think when a celebrity is charitable, people tend to look at it as a rich person simply demanding everyone else (i.e. non-celebrities) donate money, creating a system where the celebrity gets to look good, and yet its the less wealthy people who have to 'do all the work'.
When you look at it like that, Bono does come off as annoying. But the thing is, it's not like that.
Who's to say Bono doesn't personally donate as much (if not more) than anyone else?
Why does being charitable mean one has to give away all their money? Are these people aware that everyone giving a tiny donation would do more than one rich person giving all their money?
Besides, Bono does far more than simply 'ask for your money'. He's helped found numerous organisations focused on charity, he's constantly fighting to be charitable - it's like his second job. He's clearly not doing it just for fun. He's obviously not doing it to be famous, he's already in the biggest band in the world.
You raise a good question about what the alternative would be. Would it really be better that Bono shut up (so the haters could 'have peace') rather than use his wealth and influence to lobby for charities, and create effective charitable organisations? So what if he's rich - as long as there are results, and people are actually being helped, surely that's all that matters?

 

[Casamares]

I think when a celebrity is charitable, people tend to look at it as a rich person simply demanding everyone else (i.e. non-celebrities) donate money, creating a system where the celebrity gets to look good, and yet its the less wealthy people who have to 'do all the work'.
When you look at it like that, Bono does come off as annoying. But the thing is, it's not like that.
Who's to say Bono doesn't personally donate as much (if not more) than anyone else?
Why does being charitable mean one has to give away all their money? Are these people aware that everyone giving a tiny donation would do more than one rich person giving all their money?
Besides, Bono does far more than simply 'ask for your money'. He's helped found numerous organisations focused on charity, he's constantly fighting to be charitable - it's like his second job. He's clearly not doing it just for fun. He's obviously not doing it to be famous, he's already in the biggest band in the world.
You raise a good question about what the alternative would be. Would it really be better that Bono shut up (so the haters could 'have peace') rather than use his wealth and influence to lobby for charities, and create effective charitable organisations? So what if he's rich - as long as there are results, and people are actually being helped, surely that's all that matters?

There are haters who don't want to listen to any rational arguments because they don't feel like quiting their hatred towards a particular person. Bono isn't the only target. Long before I became a U2 freak I was a huge Phil Collins' fan - and I still am - so I've learnt how to ignore unjustified hatred.

I'm so happy to have discovered U2 that I don't care what haters think. Their loss

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

I'm so happy to have discovered U2 that I don't care what haters think. Their loss

That's a good mindset to have Really, i shouldn't bother listening to what any haters have to say. It wouldn't be positive in any way and it's not like they'd do the same for us...

 

[cobl04]

I can't understand why any of you care what other people think of a band you like. I'm 21, so naturally most my age hate or dislike them and I couldn't possibly give any less of a fuck

 

[AGirlLikeTheSea]

I can't understand why any of you care what other people think of a band you like. I'm 21, so naturally most my age hate or dislike them and I couldn't possibly give any less of a fuck

Well, it gets a bit on ones nerves when the haters are actually friends that can slap shitty comments about your favourite band right in your face whenever they feel like it. I've received so much crap for liking this band ever since I was a teen back in the 90s. I only have one friend that like U2 and he lives in a different country than I do.

 

[Casamares]

That's a good mindset to have Really, i shouldn't bother listening to what any haters have to say. It wouldn't be positive in any way and it's not like they'd do the same for us...

Yeah, you definitely shouldn't waste your time and nerves for haters. The more you care of what they say, the more they succeed at driving you up the wall. Don't satisfy them by your excessive interest in their opinion.

 

[doctorwho]

But we all should hate Bush and Phil Collins!

*runs*

I dislike Bush, but not because of the Moore film or a few token examples.

I love Collins in Genesis (barring a few exceptions). His solo work is a bit too pop for my tastes, but again, a few exceptions there too ("In the Air" ).

However, as the kids in the 90's said, "haters hate".

This rant about Bono has been going on since the 80's. People were annoyed with his preaching then (which led to his famous "Am I bugging you?" line in R&H). Per the recent documentary, his intensity even bugged his bandmates (I'm thinking Larry was #1 on that list). But Bono is being true to himself and that means a lot more to me than hopping on some charity bandwagon. In fact, Bono creates the bandwagon. So screw the rest.

As for tastes in music, the only thing that bugs me is when someone says "All of U2's music sounds the same". That tells me they've heard JT and nothing else. Sad, really.

 

[gvox]

For cryin out loud comparing Bono-hate to Bush-hate is absolutely ridiculous.

Far as I know, Bono isn't responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. Bush is an overall genuine nice guy?

NEXT!

 

[DondeEsta]

I remember an old comment on the Guardian about the tax protests at glasto

"Blah blah sunglasses blah blah tax blah blah middle of the road blah blah smug blah blah effects pedal blah blah Glastonbury blah blah sell out blah blah Jay-Z blah blah [name of painfully alternative indie band]."

Brilliantly sums up EVERYTHING about hating U2 in 3 lines

 

[WideAwakeInNZ]

For cryin out loud comparing Bono-hate to Bush-hate is absolutely ridiculous.

Far as I know, Bono isn't responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. Bush is an overall genuine nice guy?

NEXT!

your reaction has made my point exactly. Think how you feel about Bush - many feel that way about Bono and would laugh at the idea he is a nice guy and say "NEXT!".
Bono, for the record, seems full of praise for him as a person.

 

[nielsgov]

I remember an old comment on the Guardian about the tax protests at glasto



Brilliantly sums up EVERYTHING about hating U2 in 3 lines

It's actually true.