"Mammon Saves"

The story on Fugees rapper Pras sampling U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" for the new single and video "Haven't Found" is getting a lot of play. Pras' mix of the personal and the political fits well with the song (early on we hear "you think that you can buy a better life" and "they got money for war but can't feed the poor," but then guest Sharli McQueen's verse is a reprimand to a boyfriend who has become distracted from her by "fancy cars" and "chasing the shine").

If you like these kinds of things you'll probably like this one. However, the refrain is changed to "you still haven't found," which in combination with the other lyrics and visuals to me gives it all an odd edge of criticism - it's easy to draw the inference that the narrator means to appear wiser than the person being addressed: I've found it, but you haven't....

Here comes the real theological point, though. Particularly given that tone and Sharli McQueen's verse, I was just floored by the irony of the online video, which uses a new technology called Pokeware. This allows you to pause the music and click on blue dots to "interact" with the artwork. A few of the blue dots reveal "Pop-Up Video" type facts about, say, the Atlantic Ocean. Most of them, however, say things like this:
I-Liquid Foundation by Iman. This oil-free, full coverage formula imparts a flawless, natural, matte finish as it softens and conditions. For combination and oily skin types. For more information about Iman Makeup Products click more info.
Or this: Lightweight Cotton Shirt by Gap. Our lightest weight woven cotton. Single chest pocket, button cuffs. 100% cotton. Machine wash. Imported.
Or this: 32" Sharp Aquos LCD-TV Sweepstakes. Popular Science invites you to enter for your chance to win a 32" Sharp Aquos LCD-TV.

I've been wondering ever since U2 released The Joshua Tree, and now at long last a prophetic voice has come forth to reveal how to find what I'm looking for. Pass the Visa.