Thanks Be to Bono. Brent Barton

      The wonder called U2opia is not a place.

      It’s an idea.

      And it’s not a complicated idea.

      In fact, it’s really quite simple.

      Admittedly, it’s ambitious. It’s outrageously ambitious, and here’s a place, thankfully, at long last, where no apologies are required. Dreams, when dreamed big and proper, should be ambitious. You needn’t apologize for dreaming big dreams.

      I won’t hold it against you (I hold nothing against you) if you wish to dismiss this as one of those ideas that sound just a little teensy bit cra-cra-cra-crazy. But go ahead. Feel free. We’re talking about the good kind of cra-cra-cra-crazy here.

      U2opia is an idea of a world where people, whoever – just people, really – from all walks of life, come together, united, in a positive common cause. Peace, love, hope, charity, equality, justice, whatever, this idea manifests itself whenever there’s a union, of the multi into the one. Groups of disparate people, individuals, coming together, getting along, mingling. Imagine a world where all our differences do not divide us, but distinguish us. A world of individuals, coming together to work towards something we all have in common. Something that is positive! Together. This is the common ground viewpoint. It’s nothing new. It’s an eternal idea. What is maybe new is the presentation. What maybe new is the possibility. U2opia offers a brand new way to look at the world. Great sights are to behold! It’s all truly fantastic and amazing and scary yet fun.

      But why?

      That’s usually one of the first questions asked.

      Why?

      Why U2?

      Seriously here.

      What’s so great about this rock band from Ireland?

      It’s a valid question, thanks for raising it. This is a question I’ve asked myself, many times over. Why does U2 stand out? Why are they so important? What’s the big deal? Among all the other rock stars, among all the other celebrities, of all the historical world figures and venerable heroes, throughout all the ages of known human history, why are U2 so special? What’s so great about this band and this guy who calls himself Bono?

      I am so glad that you asked.

      In the event that those who encounter these words are unfamiliar with U2, here is the brief historical context for what may turn out to be the transformation of human consciousness. I thank each and every one of you for tuning in, or downloading it or what have you, to the idea of learning more. The U2opian faith and it’s message of hope and goodwill – the message that travels the globe offering a path to lasting peace and prosperity for the entire human race, and sustainability for the whole ecosystem in which it lives – originated with the formation of a simple rock n’ roll band.

      The birth took place in a common garden shed, not a manger. The place was Dublin. The year was 1976. The Earth was blessed with a very special gift. An image of stars, rock n’ roll stars on a stage playing mind-blowing music, appeared in the dreams of a young Larry Mullen Junior, a high school student and aspiring drummer in a local marching band. With a pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum, the little drummer boy pinned (or possibly pasted, stapled or taped – I have never heard it verified) a note on the school bulletin board, inviting other aspiring young musicians to join him in the formation of a new musical band.

      And so it was.

      And so it came to be.

      A wannabe singer, an untrained guitarist and the most magnificent poser of a bass player met in the Mullen family garden shed to discuss the sound of the future. This future world is an unknown world! It is filled with many, many questions. It’s a frightening world, but exciting. It can be driven, with a pounding bass. This is a world that can be propelled along, with a steady drumbeat. This is an interactive world that can be carved up and sculpted with the icy notes of an echoing guitar. It’s a world united, with a voice that leads a song. A voice that leads us into the unchartered territory of infinite space.

      This space exists and it is filled with a never-ending wonder.

      There are four. Bono (born as Paul Hewson) on vocals, the Edge (born as Dave Evans) on guitar, Adam Clayton on bass, and Larry Mullen Jr. on percussion. With little to no formal musical training, only their passion for the music, a band of awkward teenagers evolved into internationally acclaimed recording artists, and their songs reached out to people by the billions and billions and counting. Touching hearts, touching minds. Like no others before them, they’ve been destined for a cosmic collision course of changing our world. For the better! Creation has unfolded as an evolution, from the Post Punk New Wave New Age into the New Millennium and new beginnings. The idea of U2 grew to become the original, unstoppable world force here to light the way for humanity.

      Number one, they’ve topped the musical charts and filled the largest of our planet’s stadiums to capacity, night after night, year after year, all while championing human rights, social justice, environmental causes, and inspiring movements of positive change in all lands. Incredible things have been done for people and places around the world. They’ve rocked and rolled a real wave that has brought enormous help to people, real people, millions of people, desperate for assistance. Desperate for help.

      I state the truth here boldly: U2 are the greatest.

      Ah hah, you say!

      You say, ah hah.

      What about the Beatles, you should most rightfully and logically inquire. Surely they are a greater band than U2?

      A compelling argument can no doubt be made that the Beatles are a better band, with their catalogue of classics, each and every one mind blowing. And all created, in what, their barely ten years together as a band? Crazy. Incredible. Pure genius. A stroke of creativity of a mysterious and universal magnitude, no question. I would argue that the talents of the Liverpool quartet surpass those of Dublin. In many, many areas. Even U2 would argue that the Beatles are greater than U2. But of course they would say that. This band of four are rather humble and down to earth, despite all of the speculation that has been made about the size of Bono’s ego.

      The Beatles are great! One can only wonder what they could have accomplished if they could have kept it going, as a creative force of four, a band together. Imagine what dreams could have been realized if they could have kept their friendship going. I, and many others, humbly make the proposition that the Beatles have served as inspiration for an even greater greatness: the musical and humanitarian legacy of U2.

      Blessings be upon us, U2 have remained together, like brothers, a post nuclear family, for over 40 years! Still alive, still kicking it. Healthy (knock on wood), clean and sober. Or sober enough. My, oh my!