It's the economy stupid

Came to this story via Boing Boing:

Paul McGuinness, long-time manager of rock band U2, on Monday launched a verbal attack against illegal music downloaders, as well as internet service providers, device makers, Silicon Valley and even hippies in a speech at a conference in France.

In days long gone I used to have an image of people getting into music, the business side of music, because they really believed in a band, or because they loved music, or some such reason. Maybe it was Tony Wilson's fault. But apparently not:

"There are plenty of private equity fund managers who are Deadheads," he said, a reference to hippy icons The Grateful Dead. "And embedded deep down in the brilliance of those entrepreneurial, hippy values seems to be a disregard for the true value of music."

So, "The true value of music" is money is it? U2 must be just about the greatest band ever then.
Oh. I'm sorry. They're utter shite. I forgot. Must have been while they were arse-licking warmongering presidents.