A hot topic of conversation lately has been the backlash against U2 and Apple following the free release of Songs of Innocence. Of course, this is far from the first (or worst) time the band have been the focus of some negativity, and one thing that I really admire about the band is the way they handle criticism. I always see them as confused and perplexed when people lash out against them, but they never react in kind or get overly defensive.

I guess it goes back to Bono’s stated belief that while it’s fantastic for people’s minds to be in accord, it’s even more important that we respect peoples’ right to a difference of opinion. All four members of U2 practice what they preach when they’re being attacked, and while I’m sure that there have been times that the criticism has genuinely hurt, they’ve never gone out looking to get revenge. I really admire the four members of U2 for having such principles, and another great reason for me to love the band.