News: December 2006 Archives

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December 29, 2006

Interview with Mark Wrathall, Author of U2 and Philosophy

By Brenda Clemons, U2 Station Staff Writer

Mark Wrathall is a philosophy teacher at Brigham Young University. He is also a U2 fan. It was while riding his Harley through the desert that he came to the realization that Bono's lyrics would make good examples for his lessons. The idea caught on and soon his students were bringing their favorite U2 CDs to class. This led to the idea of a book. Several philosophy Professors have written essays that make up the text of the book. Mark Wrathall is the editor. He took time out of his schedule to talk to me about U2, Bono and the human soul. (Editor's note: Mark Wrathall's book can be purchased from Amazon.com).

1. Do you believe the world's governments have a responsibility to foster higher thinking or the evolution of the human soul? If so, do you think that they have been successful or have they failed?

I think governments have a responsibility to secure an environment that lets people develop their thinking capacities or improve their souls. But I don't want the government to dictate how this development or improvement is to be brought about. The interesting questions for our time are, first, to what degree governments are capable of fostering this sort of environment in a globalized, technological world culture.
It could be that other actors and social forces are eclipsing the power of national governments to shape the intellectual and spiritual atmosphere. Second, we ought to be asking to what degree political actors can legitimately limit their focus to their own nations, to the exclusion of the rest of the world.

2. During the past decade there has been a rapid increase in the pagan/earth bound religions. Do you see this as evidence that the more traditional religions (Christianity, Judaism) are failing?

It doesn't necessarily mean that traditional religions are failing. It might be we who are failing - it might show that we've lost the strength and focus required to devote ourselves to religions as demanding as traditional Christianity and Judaism. Having said that, it is my opinion that at least part of the interest in alternative religions is driven by a search for an experience of divinity in the world. For whatever reason, many people can't find a 'church they can receive in' (to paraphrase U2's song "Acrobat").

3. Do you think the soul has evolved faster than religion? Or do you feel that religion is a black/white truth and that humanity is basically lacking in its ability to make morally correct choices?

I see no reason to believe that the soul has evolved. Cultures do change, but an essential feature of the human "soul" has always been its capacity to settle into radically different styles of life. Some cultures are more open to religious experience than others. In contemporary Western culture at large, religion tends to be marginalized.
As I understand Christianity, a central feature of its message is that its truth is concealed from the unbeliever. That means that, in our day and age, the possibility of living a Christian life is less and less manifest, and people at large are less exposed to the moral truths that Christianity has to teach them. People lack the ability to live Christian lives because they can't find their way into the faith that supports that life. I would describe their moral failings, not in terms of a lack of ability, but as arising through the loss of the possibility of exercising their abilities.

4. U2 is obviously one of your favorites. Do you remember the first time you heard a U2 song and what affect it had on you?

The first U2 song I remember hearing was "Gloria." It must have been in 1981 or 1982. It caught my attention because, despite sharing a name with Patti Smith's "Gloria" (I was a big fan of the Horses album), it inhabited a completely different dimension. It blew my mind to hear a rock band express that kind of spiritual longing - both musically and lyrically. It changed my whole idea of what rock music could do.

5. You use Bono's lyrics in your classroom. What is the most memorable thing a student has said regarding Bono's lyrics?

I don't know that I could identify one especially memorable thing. It seems that every time I use Bono's lyrics in class, my students teach me something. This usually takes the form of pointing out that lyrics I had interpreted one way could also be interpreted another way. For example, take the opening lines of "Peace on Earth": "Heaven on earth / We need it now / I'm sick of all of this / Hanging around." I had understood this as expressing a kind of philosophical pessimism - as expressing the view that this world is irredeemably corrupt. But my students pointed out that it could be interpreted as basically optimistic - as expressing the view that life on earth could and should be happy (even though it is not now what it should be). Students also get me thinking about the philosophical meaning of songs that I haven't thought about before.

6. The University is obviously very supportive now, but was it always this way?

As an institution, Brigham Young University has always been extremely supportive of me and my work. All good Universities trust their faculty members to pursue their own research agendas, because they understand that the benefit of a particular line of research will rarely be evident at the outset. When I proposed a research trip to Denver to hear U2 perform in concert, that raised some eyebrows. But the proposal was approved.

7. For U2 and philosophy, you are the editor. How is this process different from writing?

Editing an academic book is like herding cats. Each contributor has a very different view about what they want to accomplish in thinking and writing about a subject. These different views don't always sit easily with each other. The editor's job is to identify good contributors, and to try to pull the collection together in a coherent and harmonious fashion. The strength of a single-author book is that it presents a single line of inquiry in considerable depth. A good edited collection gives you lots of perspectives, and in the process rewards the reader with insights that would not have been visible from a single point of view. With a good work of music, there is never a single interpretation that can do justice to all of its various facets. So an edited volume seemed the natural way to go in exploring U2's work.

8. Have you been in contact with U2 regarding your book?

Regrettably, no. I'd love to sit down and talk philosophy with the members of the band.

9. You recruited writers (for U2 and Philosophy) at conventions. Obviously, the reaction was positive. But, were there any negative reactions to your idea?

Not really, no. Nobody that I approached as a potential contributor was dismissive of the idea as such.

10. Based on Bono's lyrics, do you think he has matured spiritually, or do you perceive him as still struggling with the same demons that he had during the recording of U2's first album, Boy?

I think that there is no question that he has matured spiritually. At the same time, he has also developed as a lyricist. If you compare the lyrics of Boy or October with the lyrics of Achtung Baby or How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, this is immediately obvious. He is able now to express many of the same attitudes in a much more nuanced, subtle, and powerful way. Part of that ability undoubtedly comes from having become a master of the craft of songwriting. But I have to think that it also grows out of a more profound understanding of religious faith. He can describe it better because he understands it better.

11. What is next on the agenda for you?

I'm trying to finish a book on 20th century German philosopher Martin Heidegger. Like U2, Heidegger was deeply concerned about our ability to experience the divine and live meaningful lives in a modern, technologically frenzied, globalized world culture.
If I decide to write any more on rock music and popular culture, my next essay will be on Rammstein. I think their music is really philosophically interesting. The problem with such projects is finding a publishing outlet. I am really grateful to Open Court Press for picking up U2 and Philosophy. I hope the success of their Popular Culture and Philosophy series will persuade publishers that there is an audience for more intellectually rigorous discussions of rock music than is the usual fare.

Posted by Brenda at 11:30 AM | Comments (0)

December 24, 2006

Honorary Knighthood for U2's Bono

U2 frontman Bono is being awarded an honorary knighthood by the Queen, the British Embassy in Dublin has said.

The singer, whose real name is Paul Hewson, has been given the honour for "his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work," it said.

Prime Minister Tony Blair congratulated him, telling the singer in a letter: "You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa."

The 46-year-old will receive the honour in Dublin early in the new year.

British ambassador David Reddaway will conduct the ceremony.

The embassy said the agreement of the Irish government was sought and granted for the Dublin-born singer to be honoured.

A statement on the band's website said the singer, who has lobbied Western leaders to increase aid to developing countries and cancel Third World debt, was "very flattered" to receive the award.

It added that he hoped it opened doors for his campaigning work against extreme poverty in Africa.

Pressure on leaders

Because he is not a British national, he will not be able to use the title "Sir". The honour is the same as that conferred upon fellow Dubliner Bob Geldof in 1986.

Other recipients of honorary knighthoods include Microsoft founder Bill Gates, singer Placido Domingo and film director Steven Spielberg.

In his letter to the singer, Mr Blair thanked Bono for his work in the run up to 2005's G8 summit, which had a focus on African poverty.

Alongside Geldof, Bono organised the Live 8 concerts to coincide with the summit, and increase the pressure on Western leaders to take action.

"I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you. I know as well how knowledgeable you are about the problems we face and how determined you are to do all you can to help overcome them," he said.

'Invaluable role'

"I want personally to thank you for the invaluable role you played in the run-up to the Gleneagles G8 summit. Without your personal contribution, we could not have achieved the results we did.

"So thank you and I look forward to continuing to work together to maintain momentum on Africa, and ensure leaders around the world meet the promises they have made."

In 2003, Bono was presented with France's Legion D'Honneur by President Jacques Chirac, while in 2005 he was voted Time magazine's person of the year for his work promoting justice and equality, along with Bill and Melinda Gates.

Last year, he admitted that at one stage, he was worried his commitment to the cause might force him to leave U2.

In 2006 he was named the most influential pop star of the past 25 years by music network MTV, and in February U2 won five Grammy Awards, including song of the year for Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, and album of the year for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

Posted by Jonathan at 01:45 AM | Comments (0)

December 21, 2006

Bono Slams Dems' $1B AIDS Dodge

By Ian Bishop

WASHINGTON - Even with Democrats poised to control the government's purse strings next year, U2's Bono still hasn't found what he's looking for when it comes to U.S. funds to combat AIDS.

The disappointed U2 frontman stormed away from high-level meetings with incoming Democratic leaders late last week without assurances that $1 billion in proposed U.S. support would become a reality next year.

"I'm alarmed we could not get a commitment from the Democratic leadership to prevent the loss of $1 billion in the continuing resolution to fight AIDS, malaria and extreme poverty," the rock star said in a statement.

President Bush had proposed that amount in the past.

"I don't know who's to blame. Democrats are blaming Republicans, Republicans are blaming Democrats," Bono added.

Congressional leaders are expected to freeze the budgets of federal agencies, making it unlikely additional funds will be provided.

Posted by Brenda at 01:25 PM | Comments (0)

December 11, 2006

You, too

U2 embraces all comers in an inspired, intimate Aloha Stadium spectacle

by Gary C.W. Chun

Slovenia, Ireland, England, Arkansas ..."

They came from all over, avid fans of a certain band that was wrapping up its world tour Saturday at Aloha Stadium. A guy was telling his friends of the people he'd met from such faraway locales, as a long line of ticketholders finally made it inside to experience the near-evangelical power that is U2 in concert.

True believers all, some of them wore the (Product) Red T-shirts that are part of lead singer Bono's consumer campaign to help finance the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty, particularly in Africa. But in the true rock 'n' roll spirit, others wore amusing, sarcastic knockoffs printed with "INSPI(RED)" and "DESI(RED)." A couple of shirts even read "HAMME(RED)," and one said "BO(RED)."

Regardless of their attitudes, fans filled the stadium to capacity to eagerly attend the Church of U2. As Bono mentioned early on, it was "a gathering of the faithful," and the "congregation," at times, literally shook the venue's rusting stands in gleeful approval. Somewhere in all that humanity, according to stadium spokesman Patrick Leonard, were special guests Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and celebrities Pierce Brosnan, Kid Rock and cast members of the ABC show "Lost."

The singer also thanked the crowd for being patient and having faith in the band. That faith was rewarded several times over the course of the evening.

To celebrate the end of the tour, all the tour dates were scrolled across the giant video projection screen behind the band on stage, and the crowd roared as "131. Honolulu" went by. With that, guitarist The Edge launched into the opening song, "City of Blinding Lights," as Bono strode out holding up the Stars and Stripes.

The entire stage blossomed into a dazzling array of synchronous lights. Combined with the high-definition video screens set atop flanking banks of speakers emitting a clean and clear mix of music, the technical sophistication on display showed why U2's shows are considered the best around.

The band's set and two encores were filled with songs that have been staples on this last Pacific Rim leg of the world tour. After the powerful trifecta of "City," "Vertigo" and "Elevation," U2 delighted veteran fans with a ringing rendition of the band's very first '80s hit, "I Will Follow."

Two semi-circular ramps extended into the audience. At times, the band members (including the always-dashing rhythm duo of Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.) would walk down the ramps to join the crowd on the stadium field, proof of U2's intimate rapport with fans.

AS is USUAL with the band's concerts, individual fans were invited on stage. One lucky guy took it to another level by confidently sitting at The Edge's keyboard setup playing with the band through an impromptu read-through of the rarely played "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses." At song's end, the guy ran across the stage and down the stage-right ramp, pausing briefly to raise his arms in triumph before leaping with joy back into the crowd.

Things then got a bit quieter, starting with an acoustic rendition of "The First Time." The audience was reminded of how fine a singer Bono is, and he received cheers and spontaneous applause for his powerful delivery on "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own," a tribute to his late father, and "Miss Sarajevo." On that song, he negotiated his way around Luciano Pavarotti's original operatic tenor part very well.

With the prompting of Bono, U2 has been able to balance its Christian-based spirituality and more secular, sociopolitical concerns. The latter was highlighted by the one-two punch of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Bullet the Blue Sky." Bono exhorted the crowd to honor the faiths of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, their symbols helping spell out the word "coexist," blazoned in red behind him.

With Bono being a longtime supporter of Amnesty International, the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights scrolled on the screen during a hearty version of "Pride (In the Name of Love)," the hit written in memory of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. "Pride" originated during the band's first Hawaii visit way back in 1983.

"One" ended the main concert setlist. As cell phones lit a darkened stadium like so many Christmas lights, Bono asked the crowd to join the nearly half-million people who have text-messaged support for his activist One campaign during the tour. (In a neat turn, some of those new supporters' names then showed up on screen.)

U2 would encore twice: first with added visual dazzle on "The Fly" and "Mysterious Ways," then stark and somber in a moving "With or Without You."

Then came an end-of-tour treat: After performing a new single, "Window in the Skies," Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong came out to join the band on "The Saints are Coming," a song the two bands performed on the special occasion of the New Orleans Saints' return to the Louisiana Superdome in their devastated city.

And after that, Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam -- who had already played a well-received opening set -- returned to the stage for a revised rendition of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World," complete with a new set of lyrics that furthered the bands' common cause to end extreme poverty.

But U2 would have the last word, or song, as it were, as the night's festivities ended on a gentle note. At the end of "All I Want is You," Mullen was left the last person on stage. He thanked the crowd before he, too, exited.

And with that, the crowd dispersed into the night, later to their homes and regular lives, whether those be here, Slovenia, Ireland, England or Arkansas.

Posted by Jonathan at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)

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