I wonder, has Prince ever actually tried to buy the name prince.org? Maybe he should.

Oh.. yes. The mods do a great job here without a doubt. But this is the thing... I just don't think somebody like Prince or Janet(Janet's team really) spend enough time on the boards to get a feel for their "dynamic." I think they might not "get it," and it takes a while to really understand the nature of the boards. So from Prince's perspective, he might look at a simple debate as a flame war, ya know?

Plus, he has something personal invested in it, so I would imagine the criticism is hard to take. I would think it would be hard for Prince to read that he's a has-been or that he hasn't put-out quality music since the 80's! I would think he believe he HAS put-out quality music, don't you? (I personally really liked 3121--actually I loved it, but I digress.) I don't think Prince is deliberately trying to disappoint anybody, but he's just exploring new territory or maybe even revisiting new territory, trying to put a new spin on it.. as an artist. So I would just imagine when he visits different site, he would definitely become defensive--even angry at some of the criticisms because he just doesn't "get" the sites to begin with. Plus we fans can be a bit disrespectful,too --not allowing our artists to "fail," and they need to fail in order to grow. Or maybe the aren't really interested in having a "hit" record at one point? Maybe Prince in his mind Prince has already proved himself, so why should he HAVE to continue to prove himself to his fans? If he realy does vist these boards, he might have to realize that some fans WANT him to prove himself because they want to support a "winner," or hitmaker you know? But that doesn't necessarily have to be his goal.

I guess he thinks since we call ourselves fans, well it should be all supportive. But what he doesn't realize apparently is that these sites are more about discussion or debate. And from my observation over the years, on different sites debates or more critical threads received more attention than those thread spewing praise.. but that's just the way all of the sites are constructed. I think Prince's expectations are definitely unrealistic because he probably isn't used to people telling him "what's wrong," in the same way Janet isn't used to people telling her what's wrong. I even remember JD going to Janet's official site, saying something like.. "Some you call yourselve fans, but you're not because all you do is criticize." LOL I'm tellin.. it was serious. And don't even get me started about Gil, Janet's choreographer remprimanding fans time and time again. But their defense, in their minds that's what "fans" are supposed to do. The just don't "get" the sites, I guess.

So if Prince could somehow just consider these are discussion groups--not "I love Prince" forums, well then maybe he could look past some of the posts, and realize he's not going to find this "undying" support he might receive in his little insulated reality. This is real life, ya know? Sometimes, I think these celebrities are completely cut-off from reality, and it might do them good to step their foot in the "real" world a time or two. They might even learn a little somethin' somethin'.

well, he CAN'T.
because SOMEONE ELSE OWNS IT.

Now, if that person wanted to sell it to him, that would be different.

But again, that's why it's prince.org, not Prince.org.

that's what I mean, has he approached the org to get the rights to the web address

He's already getting what he wants - he's intimidated the fans to a point where we're all but afraid to spell out his name online, and he's getting tons of publicity for it. I'd be pretty pleased if I were him.

Not quite! He's getting what he's always gotten...HIS way...that's the problem!

that's what I mean, has he approached the org to get the rights to the web address

Well poo on inviting him to the board then!

I tell ya what: I'm not afraid of Prince. Let him come after me if he wants for criticizing him. We shall see who wins that battle. Or would it really be a battle he would choose to fight?

I can understand the property issue, but censoring what I have to say--good or bad.. bring it on! Where would HE be if his music had been censored?
He can write all the songs about us fans.. or specific fans he wants, but so what? If we can dish it out, then we have got to learn to take it, too. So boo hoo Prince was pissed. I'm sure he'll get over it one day.

We are sharing opinions, and even though some members state opinion as fact, it's up to the reader to be able to distinguish fact from opinion. That's one of the first lessons in junior high school English classes-- the ability to distinguish fact from opinion. Nobody here is hurting Prince or any other artist.

So no.. I don't want Prince.org or rather prince.org (oopsie) closed just to get back at a insecure person, and I believe Prince is ultimately very insecure. As I said, I certainly can understand why he might be upset, but then again it's up to him to understand that we fans aren't going to blindly follow his lead--just like I'm sure he doesn't blindly follow anybody else's lead. I'm sure he has opinions; in fact, he has shared some pretty controversial opinions himself. So how is he different from anyone else, really? He's just as outspoken as we are.
[Edited 11/18/07 14:35pm]

Why would he want it?
He's already got a site that he barely does anything with.

No!

I love Prince.org. I rarely post in the Prince section though, but I am concerned about this current disagreement, so I decided to participate.

After reading the lyrics to his song and then some other posts here, I have to say I agree with Prince and some members here a little tiny bit. I have never understood why people, obviously not "fans" of Prince, never having anything postitive to say about the guy continue to bash him on his own board. I'm all for free-speech, but man.. if a person no longer enjoys Prince, why not move-on to another site or at least another forum on this site?

I always had the same question regarding some Janet fans on her various sites. It's like they never had anything positive to say about her, but they still kept posting about her--really bashing her in some cases. Although I was really supportive of their right to express an opinion, at one point even I would reply, "It might be time to find another artist if Janet is no longer your favorite."

I understand criticizing these artists--or constructive criticism, but when a person never has one thing positive to say, then why continue to support the artist? It's like we think we can "change" Prince, Janet, Michael.. whomever, but the point is that we can't. It's like some of us want to go back in time, but that ain't gonna happen because artists are continuing evolving for the better, worse, but more often than not there are more misses than hits. So we either have to accept them or move-on to somebody else.. or to another forum on the same site at least.

All of that said, I do think Prince, Janet (or members of her team in particular), ... well all artists need to also look for all the positive among the negative. It's as if they focus on the negative stuff without taking the time to explore of the positive feedback, words of support and encouragement sometimes. Sure it's easy for people to be "armchair quarterbacks," but then again there are a lot of people with some very insightful, interesting, and constructive remarks as well.

I just think it's a damn shame it's come-down to this. As much as we can't change Prince, well he can't change his fans either. People are ALWAYS going to talk, having something to say good and bad. It's too bad Prince hasn't taken the time to look at the positive. Sure it might take some effort on his part, but I would think he's learned to consider the source of some negative comments by now.

Oh, I absolutely agree with you. I'm well-aware it's not his board. As I said, he can't control his fans-or what people say.

My question in the first two paragraphs was more about why fans who don't like the guy still post here? I know it's their right to post here.. and I don't think mods should delete their post either. I was just making an observation.

Look, I'm not a Madonna fan, for example, so why would I go to her site or a forum on her site just to bash her and to bitch about why I'm not a Madonna fan. I even avoid threads about Madonna--except those sharing the same perspectives, criticisms, or concerns. In other words if I can't add anything positive to a positive thread about Madonna, then why post?

I've noticed the same thing on Janet sites, too. It's like why keep posting the same criticism over and over again--just to rile everybody up?

No.. I agree that there is no way to stop people from posting, period, as long as they are civil. But my question was more about why some fans still call themselves fans of an artist when they really aren't. Maybe that's what Prince hhas gotten his knickers in a twist about? I don't really know. But I don't think making a big deal out of it is the way to go either.

Like I said, there is a lot of positive on this forum as well. Maybe Prince needs to look for the positive, and consider the source for some of the negative a bit more? Then only other thing is that I would imagine since all of this is in print for all the world to see, Prince views it as more damaging than people just sharing some of their concern at some meeting or something like that. I know Janet had some problems with one of her releases because a few fans went nuts posting the same damn negative criticisms over and over again. Some tabloids and legitimate news site read that stuff, and published, so Janet had to write a little clarification on her official site. I just think the internet has become a powerful tool, and Prince realize it. Then only thing is that he can't stop it, ya know? It is what it is, so it might be better just to focus on the positive and give some of these sites a nod or two now and again. I think the fans would really appreciate it.

I edited my post because no... it's NOT the majority, but sometimes it just looks that way.

Here's what I edited in:

Then only other thing is that I would imagine since all of this is in print for all the world to see, Prince views it as more damaging than people just sharing some of their concern at some meeting or something like that. I know Janet had some problems with one of her releases because a few fans went nuts posting the same damn negative criticisms over and over again on three of her major sites. It was the same small group essentially spamming three boards, so it looked like it was the majority of her fans. Some tabloids and legitimate news site read that stuff, and published it, so Janet had to write a little clarification on her official site.

Obviously, the internet has become a powerful tool and really a force in many respects. For sure, Prince realizes it,and now maybe he's fighting back legally. The only thing is that he can't stop it, ya know? I just don't think putting more negative out there is his best strategy. It is what it is, so it might be better just to focus on the positive and give some of these sites a nod or two now and again. I think the fans would really appreciate it, and maybe some of the really critical fans might not be as critical of him. As far as his music, I just don't think he's going to please everybody. And frankly, most happy-campers aren't going to come to message boards to criticize. Usually people write to complain, don't they? So this might just be a reality he will be forced to accept.

Again, it's amazing how much more clearly I think after i get some coffee in me.

We are in TOTAL agreement.

I've said it before, I don't envy the position that Prince is in. I'm SURE that he thinks that all of his music is quality. He's personally invested! So i have to imagine that it's GOT to be hard for him to take that some people think he's in the twilight of his career, which is what i think. I don't think he's "washed up", but i'm sure that's how he interprets a comment like "in the twilight of his career".

It's happened to just about EVERY artist i can think of! What artist has maintained excellence throughout their ENTIRE career with no signs of falling off? Miles Davis couldn't do it. Stevie Wonder couldn't do it. NO one's immune to that, not even Prince. So where i'm not saying he couldn't deliver an amazing album if he put his mind to it, i'm just not holding my breath waiting on that to happen.

I do think it's hard for these artists like Prince and Janet who go through such amazing HIGHS in their careers where they are almost universally respected and loved by almost everyone, and then they turn a corner and don't even realize it. I can't imagine how scary and disturbing that would have to be. And even having been a musician and in a band for awhile, i don't even understand really how such a thing happens.

So, believe me I really do feel for Prince. BUT, don't take that out on ME. On prince.org. On the fans.

I never said close this site. I said we should give him what he wants...removal of all traces of him from the internet.

Personally, I'd be very interested in seeing just how well his PR folks can try to spin his being ignored and shunned by the folks who are "allegedly" violating and infringing upon his rights so severely that he had to sic a self-appointed internet watchdog on us.

Well, I respectfully disagree. A lot of people on here are fans of his music--even his early music.

No. To me, erasing all traces of Prince is sort of like being just as petty as he is apparently being. It's sort of like cutting our own nose off to spite our faces. This site was founded as prince.org, so let it continue as prince.org. I don't know the law in this area, but to me as long as people aren't profiting from his likeness or image, there is no violation. As long as people areN't deliberately spreading lies about about the dude, then Prince has not been wronged.

I'm not sure, and I would think site's legal representation knows the law better than I do, but as I said nobody here is deliberately "hurting" Prince. And why should fans innocent fans be punished for not doing anything wrong.. except in Prince's eyes sharing info. about someone they admire?

No. Let him have a hissy fit, if that makes him feel better. But I have a feeling.. considering all the tabloids in existence, public figures are held to a different standard. It sort of comes with the territory..

I tell ya what pisses me off. Public figures get all kinds of perks that the rest of us don't. They don't have to stand in line at restaurants, for example. They get a lot of "freebies" just by virtue of their celebrity. Does that mean I agree with the celebrity-type pap stalkers--absolutely not. But then again, some celebs court the press whether good or bad.

I'm sorry--and as I think I've made abundantly clear--I do have compassion for Prince's situation. But then again, I think he should have a little bit more compassion for our situation, too. We fans aren't hurting Prince. For every negative remark, there is always someone who rises to his defense. It's not our fault he CHOOSES to dwell on the negative. I don't believe his record sales are being impacted one way or another by what fans are saying on websites. In fact, his sales are probably being helped more than hurt by all the positive some fans have to say--and with all the publicity in itself.

So let him sue if he sees fit. Let's see how far he can take his case. I'm sure this and other site have legal representation smart enough to cover their own asses. No.. I don't want to punish us fans just to spite Prince by shutting down this section of the site or change the concept upon which it was founded. It's a shame Prince can't think of this as a tribute because he's so caught-up in the negative. But if he thinks for one minute, he's going to be able to control what fans have to say... I don't think so. He can't control the tabloids, so what makes him so confident he control us.

BTW, I have a feeling a lot of other artists just go with the flow. Outside of JD and Gil, I sure don't see Janet complaining because like Michael she KNOWS her fans are her lifeblood, so she tolerates a lot of shit. Do I think it's unfair? Sure. But I also think it's unfair Janet would get seated in restaurant before I would or gets special entry into some club. Thems the breaks. Nothing in life is free.
[Edited 11/18/07 16:43pm]

I respectfully disagree with your disagreement. I'm not talking about spite. I'm talking about giving Prince what he wants. How is that spiteful? Because when he gets it, he may very well realize that's not what he really wanted? As you so eloquently put it...Thems the breaks!

Ben and the other site owners should not have to spend their time and money fighting for our rights with of all people...Prince. These sites are essentially about the people that interact on them. Prince is not the only reason we come here. Removing the Prince factor will give him what he wants and free us to discuss and do whatever we like without fams, press, web sheriffs, and paisley park spies scrutiny.

Teaching Prince the lesson he so rightfully needs could just be the icing on the cake, the gravy on the mashed potatoes and the vermouth in the martini!

Cheers

I think if the site dropped the Prince:Music and More, the site would lose a lot of dead weight.