The Greater Good Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Touwe 

Cover art for The Greater Good lyrics by Nine Inch Nails

What i get from this is that it could be showing a representation of western civilization and its tendancy to force its way into other cultures to the point where they become dependant on western ways almost like its people are dependant on the air they breathe. Represented by the first 4 lines.

The following 4 lines show the hold taking over the other cultures "Anything we want, anything" we get.

The next 4 lines

Persuasion (slowly) Coercion (slowly) Selection (breathe) Assimilation (us in)

Show the means by which it all takes place, and lastly the final effect in the last 3 lines of them breathing western culture in