I can see where they get these characterizations. For example  I am sure the popular people with a large social network are more likely to listen to the commercial shit than they are metal or classic rock. Those type of people tend to be more concerned with what's trendy.

However, they are generalizing a lot. Not everyone who listens to pop is going to have high self esteem and not everyone who listens to rock and metal will have low self esteem. My friend listens to pop and she is pretty much the opposite of everything listed for pop.

I completely understand where Bono is coming from which is why I have thought about boycotting this album. The band gets away with their utter disdain for the fans because they know the hardcores are going to flock to their local record store no matter what they do. They really have no reason to be a fan friendly band because they already have us in the palm of their hands. We bitch and moan all we like but each of us is good for a least one copy each. Maybe if more of us shared Bono's attitude they'd start to appreciate the fan base.

Are you serious? Do you honestly think GNR/Azoff/Universal/the RIAA are going to be bothered by someone giving a copy to a well-respected musician who was once a prominent member of the band? It's not even close to being the same thing that Skwerl did.

It's like some people have to invent new ways to criticize Slash.

Slash is not judging downloaders or giving us fans so get off your high horse. He condemned what Cogill did. I am not going to condemn Cogill myself, but the argument that Slash stealing some records from a record store is worse than what Cogill did is absolutely ludicrous. Both Slash and Cogill were wrong under the law, but Cogills actions has a much wider impact than Slash stealing some records. Cogill's stunt could theoretically cost the band and record company millions of dollars. People like Cogill have a huge hand in the record industry's demise and people like him cause more harm to mom & pop record stores than Slash did.

It's also a joke to call Slash a hypocrite. Are you saying that he is always and forever labelled a thief because of what he did when he was young and stupid? Are you saying that he can't change his opinions on stealing now that he is fully grown man who is much wiser than when he stole as a kid? That's garbage. We all pull stupid shit when we're kids that we would never do as much older and wiser adults. That doesn't make someone a hypocrite.  It means they've grown up. Slash is just an entitled to his opinion as anyone else.

I don't think he would have been involved. He wasn't on the two new tracks they recorded for their Best Of disc.