It’s been a while since I last updated, so why not add to the entry list with a blurb about U2.

As you readers (all 3 of you) know, about a year and a half of my life was dedicated to the boys from Dublin, presenting my Interverse paper all over the country and writing/defending my dissertation at FSU.  Well, wouldn’t you know it, but this coming May, in New York City, there’s going to be an academic U2 conference (right now Mike is throwing up in his mouth a little.)  Here’s a banner to prove it:

I’m hoping to present at this conference and meet some U2 fans, scholars, and journalists.  I know it’s a far-fetched fantasy, but I’m not-so-secretly hoping some or all of the band will be there.  It’s not that far out of the realm of possibility; I mean, it’s a conference on them, so the way I see it, it would make sense form them to attend, right?  I guess they’ll be busy promoting the new album and planning another groundbreaking world tour, but it’s in NYC, so I’m going to keep hoping.

I know that there are some out there who are not all that enamoured with U2, be it their disdain for the band’s music or a lack of understanding of Bono’s intentions.  First of all, I think their music is fantastic.  Their hits stack up as some of the greatest songs of all time: “With Or Without You,” “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “Pride (In the Name of Love),” “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” “New Year’s Day,” “One,” “Mysterious Ways,” “Please,” “Gone,” “Beautiful Day,” “Walk On” “City Of Blinding Lights,” and “I Will Follow” to name but a few.  I realize taste in music extremely subjective, and each person is entitled to an opinion.  But if Radiohead, who haven’t been on the music scene even half as long as U2, have a book out on their music (I saw it at the SMT conference this past weekend), then U2 deserves a conference, at the very least.  (That is not to say I have anything against Radiohead or think they’re not worthy of research or discussion.  I’m merely trying to make the point that U2’s longevity, if nothing else, warrants discussion and study of the band).  (As another aside, I hope to turn my dissertation into a book, so if there are any publishers out there who are willing to give me a chance, I won’t disappoint!)

And as I wrote back in a July entry, those who think Bono’s political work is for self-promotion are not getting all the facts or are simply jealous.  He’s got a lot of money, yes, but at least he’s using his cache and financial resources to try to raise awareness for some of the social and economic injustices happening across the globe.  SOMEone’s got to do it…why not Bono?