All natural and technological processes
Proceed in such a way that the availability
Of the remaining energy decreases
In all energy exchanges, if no energy
Enters or leaves an isolated system
The entropy of that system increases
Energy continuously flows from being
Concentrated to becoming dispersed
Spread out, wasted and useless
New energy cannot be created and high grade
Energy is being destroyed
An economy based on endless growth is un-
(Unsustainable)

The fundamental laws of thermodynamics will
Place fixed limits on technological innovation
And human advancement
In an isolated system, the entropy
Can only increase
A species set on endless growth is un-
(Unsustainable)


Lyrics submitted by mike, edited by bckyltylr, shredd108

The 2nd Law: Unsustainable Lyrics as written by Matthew James Bellamy

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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The 2nd Law: Unsustainable song meanings
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  • +1
    My Interpretation

    The meaning of this song pretty much rounds the whole album into a seamless whole. What the newsreader chick says is the basics of the the second law of thermodynamics which Matt is using as analogy for planet earth.

    He is trying to say that all technological advancements are reaching a stage where there is nowhere left to go. He's saying if no energy enters or leaves the earth, which is an isolated system, the entropy of the earth can only increase. Entropy is a really complicated term but generally means total chaos and degradation. It;'s really end of the world stuff. Which emphasizes the fact that muse have not changed at all from their apocalyptic ABSOLUTION days. Just think about it, another track on the album is animals which talks about corrupt businessmen ruling the world with savage viciousness and crushing anybody in their ways. Supremacy talks about losing our control over the earth. Explorers talks about how 'all the land is owned' and about how we need to be freed from this dead-end world world before it's too late. And Big Freeze is straight up "Watch out cause here comes the Apocalypse!

    We can't make new energy and our best energy is being destroyed. Which means were going to run out eventually because we keep pushing for endless growth and requiring more and more energy the more straightforward out ventures go. But we no longer have enough energy for what we are trying to sustain and that is what leads the whole album to being the big idea that this whole world we are in is fatally UNSUSTAINABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    shredd108on November 01, 2012   Link

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