I think its talking about multiple aspects of apathy. But its all the Christian talking to his
non-Christian friends.
They think he is apathetic (and laughable) because he doesnt care about the temporal things of
this world ("The things that matter to you they don't matter to me"). He doesnt care about
relationships like they do ("Emotional attatchment is really not a threat/When I am simply not
concerned"). And he doesnt care about material stuff ("Cause I know no one will ever be
content/With the way things are or with what they've got").
Meanwhile he is thinking they are apathetic (and sad) that they dont care about God ("The reality/That the end will be/The end of things/Our hearts are all we get to bring/So let's go ahead and make them worth something"). But it seems like he is angry with himself for not caring enough that they dont care about God...if that makes sense. He realises that their apathy has them hell-bound, but isnt taking that to heart as much as he should and isnt doing enough about it. Someone must have challenged him on that ("I must admit that all the words you spoke, I hated/Cause I don't see how I can be motivated/Enough to break a sweat over this dying race").
I think these two aspects he touches on explain the chorus. "And the half of me/Is all about apathy" - he doesnt care about the stuff of this world (which is good). However; "And the other half/Just doesn't care" - he doesnt care about the fact that other people are hell-bound. He's saying apathy is good in some aspects, but bad in others.
In the end, hes challenging us to look at ourselves and work out where we sit in it all. "I'm well aware that everything is a far cry from alright" - lets make sure we care about the dying world around us. "I'm well aware that all of us can at times be too uptight" - but lets not care so much about the world that we love it. "And possibly the remedy is a dose of apathy/You point your finger at you, and I'll point mine right back at me" - work out for yourself who you are in this story.
I think its talking about multiple aspects of apathy. But its all the Christian talking to his
non-Christian friends.
They think he is apathetic (and laughable) because he doesnt care about the temporal things of
this world ("The things that matter to you they don't matter to me"). He doesnt care about
relationships like they do ("Emotional attatchment is really not a threat/When I am simply not
concerned"). And he doesnt care about material stuff ("Cause I know no one will ever be
content/With the way things are or with what they've got").
Meanwhile he is thinking they are apathetic (and sad) that they dont care about God ("The reality/That the end will be/The end of things/Our hearts are all we get to bring/So let's go ahead and make them worth something"). But it seems like he is angry with himself for not caring enough that they dont care about God...if that makes sense. He realises that their apathy has them hell-bound, but isnt taking that to heart as much as he should and isnt doing enough about it. Someone must have challenged him on that ("I must admit that all the words you spoke, I hated/Cause I don't see how I can be motivated/Enough to break a sweat over this dying race").
I think these two aspects he touches on explain the chorus. "And the half of me/Is all about apathy" - he doesnt care about the stuff of this world (which is good). However; "And the other half/Just doesn't care" - he doesnt care about the fact that other people are hell-bound. He's saying apathy is good in some aspects, but bad in others.
In the end, hes challenging us to look at ourselves and work out where we sit in it all. "I'm well aware that everything is a far cry from alright" - lets make sure we care about the dying world around us. "I'm well aware that all of us can at times be too uptight" - but lets not care so much about the world that we love it. "And possibly the remedy is a dose of apathy/You point your finger at you, and I'll point mine right back at me" - work out for yourself who you are in this story.
That's my take, anyway. I'll stop blabbing now.