Bono Needs To Play More Socially Conscious Video Games
from the leave-the-man-alone dept
It seems that U2 lead singer Bono just can't get out of the tech related news world lately. Last week there was talk about "drafting" him into the fight against the recording industry's stupidity, but this week the controversy concerns his association with violent video games. The folks at Digg highlight the uproar over Bono's association with the new video game we mentioned recently whose story line is about invading Venezuela. Bono, you'll recall, became a celebrity venture capitalist a couple years ago. While we haven't heard much about his actual involvement, the firm invested in a video game company last year -- which leads to the connection people are now complaining about. Of course, this isn't the first time Bono's name has been linked to controversial video games. Earlier this year, a rumor started spreading that his VC firm, Elevation Partners, was also looking to invest in controversial Grand Theft Auto maker, Take-Two Interactive, leading everyone's favorite lawyer, Jack Thompson, to write an open letter pleading with him to avoid the company. Once again, though, it seems like a case where people are simply using Bono's name for publicity, and then suggesting what he should or shouldn't stand for. Perhaps that's what you get for being famous and active in certain causes, but it seems silly to drag him into this debate.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Who Does He Think He Is?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Who Does He Think He Is?
Back on topic, I think it's worth pointing out that Bono hasn't actually responded, so it's probably premature to comment on his role in all of this. I'm more interested in the idea of a game being used to influence political opinion. Not that I think that's happening in this case, but it is an interesting idea. What other games have faced such accusations? America's Army, maybe? The underground games created by racist groups here in the US or religious fanatics worldwide?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Soup Kitchen
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Is there any global problem that they couldn't solve? Fishes and loaves or parting of the Red Sea would look like child's play compared to the peace and prosperity their combined powers of goodness and ubiquity could create!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
But Anyway...
As a side-note, Bono doesn't use his humanitarian work to bolster his celebrity - he doesn't need to - he uses his celebrity to fuel & fund the humanitarian work. There is a difference.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Why
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Bono....blah blah blah
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Bono....blah blah blah
On another note, Myspace is the garbage of the internet, I have seen to many of my relatives completely hose a pc becuase of this social society site. And this real music you so proclaim will enevitably give into the corporation. They all do if given the money and the contract , ask any artist. They don't really want to but to get thier music out there and make more money they almost have to.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Bono's and Geldof's and Sting's take-action-for-the-poor messages are essentially inmoral when compared to their style of life - not to say, when compared to the huge impact they have on revenues of the showbiz corporations they sign for.
You pray global peace over the TV, and associate with violent, politically motivated game designers? You ask for global social justice, and play and boast of high life luxury? You ask for global action to bring hope for the poor, and you associate with global capitalists to get richer? You call for an end to wars and slaughter, and ask britons to vote for the British man responsible for massive civil murder in Irak? Why don't you start by preaching morals to yourself?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
bono is symbol of peace!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Because he is who he is....
Other artists, actors, and wannabes... they have long ways to go... to get to even a tenth of what he has done...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Who Does He Think He Is?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
eliminate bono website
http://www.eliminatebono.com
[ link to this | view in thread ]
People don't play these games and then say, "That was fun. I think I'll throw my life away now to act it out." That doesn't happen. People who think that it does are morons. These games aren't dangerous at all and I am going to fight against the lies of anti-game activists until Jack Thompson loses his license to practice law and I hope that day comes soon. Doug Lowenstein is a great man and I am behind him in fighting Jack Thompson's lies, and bogus case, one hundred percent.
This man is a liar and I hate him for what he does and what he tries to do. Jack Thompson is a liar and an ambulance chaser. He wants to put everything on video games; he blames violent video games for everything and he needs to SHUT UP!!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]