Always object
Never subject
Can you see us? Are we there?
Are we there.
Can you see me? We are watching
We are watching.
You are fading.
In the daylight. Fading.
Always upon you, light never ceases
Lost from yourself, light never ceases
Thousands of eyes, gaze never ceases
Light is upon you, life in you ceases
Never subject
Are we there.
Can you see me? We are watching
We are watching.
You are fading.
In the daylight. Fading.
Lost from yourself, light never ceases
Thousands of eyes, gaze never ceases
Light is upon you, life in you ceases
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Maaan, the less you say, the more you mean. I think that the most amazing thing brought into music by ISIS is that concept. They tell their stories by music, not by the words. Words just give your mind a nudge in the right direction. Absolutely amazing!
Panopticon was originally a prison designed to allow very pew people the ability to observe all inmates at one time without the inmates being able to see the observer. Hence lines like "Can you see us? Are we there?" The prison rooms themselves were to be backlit to keep all prisoners in isolation. This song is about the idea that us thinking someone is always watching negates the necessity for there to actually be someone watching and how stifling it is to live with someone watching.
Also, I'd like to say I enjoy the double (or multiple) entendre of "Always object, never subject."
Although it speaks to the idea behind Bentham's prison, it may also be read as a way to revolt. Always object to such control. Never subject yourself to them.
At least, I'd like people to remember that.
I agree. At first I heard it in the noun form, but now I prefer the verb form. It makes much more sense that way.
I agree. At first I heard it in the noun form, but now I prefer the verb form. It makes much more sense that way.
"He is seen, but he does not see; he is the object of information, never a subject in communication." -Michel Foucault's Panopticism.
This almost seems like questions to higher beings above. The artwork of Panopticon seems to focus on grand overhead views of the world, so the lyrics are verymuch hand-in-hand. Maybe the album's a sort of "themed concept album," focusing on the world from above? How wonderfully amorphous, much like the music itself.
Enough said just read Nebunaut. Dude that man has it right on.
I wrote a poem that refers to this song and From Sinking. I guess a lot of people liked it.
I believe in artwork for this album is to show that someone's always keeping an eye on us, sorta' like the basis of that movie Enemy of the State. Awesome song, nonetheless.
This is the most straight-forward song on the album, by far. It is talking about a prisoner, or person ruled by government, or whomever Isis is refering. The person is going crazy from "Big Brother"--as intended.
This is the most straight-forward song on the album, by far. It is talking about a prisoner, or person ruled by government, or whomever Isis is refering. The person is going crazy from "Big Brother"--as intended.