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Questioning is a good thing... and you *are* right, there is no reason to get passionate about an issue just because someone famous is associated with that issue...
It is just a marketing gimmick to raise awareness... Ultimately if it works I can't argue with it... However, the truth is that, for the most part, it renders an issue just another commodity that we can forget about when the next thing comes along...
The reason I think Bono is different is that I get the feeling he'd be doing this even if the cameras or journalists weren't there "catch him in the act".
As to his ego and the fact that he is a rockstar, I've heard him (and the other band members) underscore this... They got into rock 'n' roll to be rock stars and feel that anyone in a band that says otherwise really isn't being honest with themselves... If you are just in it for the music why bother, you could just sit at home and make it for yourself...
As for the iPod thing... onesnowyowl is right, no money changed hands... however, it was very effective at marketing their new album. Some don't like this BUT in this day and age of fragmented and niche media, it was a brilliant way to circumvent the system... Let's face it, most people think iPods are cool and associating themselves with something cool isn't a bad thing (or vice versa... iPod gets cred by assocication).
Personally, I wish this melding of marketing and art wasn't the way things are... I would love for art to be popular but seperate... but that just isn't how it works and an organization as big as U2 can't afford to not play in that realm (and not be the superstars they want to be).
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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