I agree that the narrower view of this song is a story about a cult leader. (Desert of Song displays the liberation of the cult followers.) I think the broader view is not specifically referring to any religious cults but is a broad sociological commentary.
Here's my take on it: The exponentially fast 'progress' of technology is rapidly undermining the humanity of humans. It is generally accepted that technology is intended to take us to a higher level ("Trust the pedestal, for now we become a higher being") and is good for us ("I am a friend by first impression.") But it's really overloading us with information and forcing our priorities to change, even "to blind the caring" people (people who put priority on human interaction, human experience, empathy, and/or conserving values) who have to stay 'wired' just to keep up ("Slave. You will become mine, for there are no more options.")
This is leading to a lack of true nurturing and/or social interaction (based on the above 'caring' traits), which is resulting in (and is, in and of itself,) a shift in priorities and/or a lack of direction, as the Child voice laments, "Don't know what to live for". Humans are instead finding fulfillment through technology/media/'culture' (The Child voice reflects "A comfort I've never felt... it's here") and filling the void.
.....And we're allowing this to happen because: 1. humans are subject to Change Blindness, a term used in 'Obfuscation' (def.: "the phenomenon that occurs when a person viewing a visual scene apparently fails to detect large changes in the scene. The change in the scene typically has to coincide with some visual disruption such as eye movement or a brief obscuration of the observed scene or image. When looking at still images, a viewer can experience change blindness if part of the image changes.") We don't see the change that's happening right in front of our eyes (shift of priorities from 'caring for humans' to 'caring about technology'); 2. we've been comforted/reassured/deluded to think technology is 'good' for us and 'progress' is a panacea ("Lay down... drink this please./You'll be in peace soon"; "I have saved you").
I'm not going to say that all aspects of technology are bad or evil, but it's possibly gotten out of control without us realizing it or considering its implications or if we were ready for it. And it's possibly "Too late..." to slow down and reconsider our choices. Many don't realize that it might be in our best interest to do so.
Hopefully we'll be able to free ourselves from the 'cult' of technology ("A cult by definition") like they do in 'Desert of Song'. X-] That song is truly liberating and gives me hope.
It's undeniable that BTBAM wants us to think about things on a broader scale, otherwise they wouldn't write such ambiguous lyrics open to multiple interpretations on different levels.
If you haven't seen their explanations of their Colors tracks, which are included on the Colors Live DVD, it's highly recommended, and supports my thought that they are trying to send a message bigger than the face value of their 'story' lyrics.
Anyone want to try to interpret this in terms of the Man being your brain? That would be compelling, but it's too confusing for me to try right now. :D
I agree that the narrower view of this song is a story about a cult leader. (Desert of Song displays the liberation of the cult followers.) I think the broader view is not specifically referring to any religious cults but is a broad sociological commentary.
Here's my take on it: The exponentially fast 'progress' of technology is rapidly undermining the humanity of humans. It is generally accepted that technology is intended to take us to a higher level ("Trust the pedestal, for now we become a higher being") and is good for us ("I am a friend by first impression.") But it's really overloading us with information and forcing our priorities to change, even "to blind the caring" people (people who put priority on human interaction, human experience, empathy, and/or conserving values) who have to stay 'wired' just to keep up ("Slave. You will become mine, for there are no more options.")
This is leading to a lack of true nurturing and/or social interaction (based on the above 'caring' traits), which is resulting in (and is, in and of itself,) a shift in priorities and/or a lack of direction, as the Child voice laments, "Don't know what to live for". Humans are instead finding fulfillment through technology/media/'culture' (The Child voice reflects "A comfort I've never felt... it's here") and filling the void. .....And we're allowing this to happen because: 1. humans are subject to Change Blindness, a term used in 'Obfuscation' (def.: "the phenomenon that occurs when a person viewing a visual scene apparently fails to detect large changes in the scene. The change in the scene typically has to coincide with some visual disruption such as eye movement or a brief obscuration of the observed scene or image. When looking at still images, a viewer can experience change blindness if part of the image changes.") We don't see the change that's happening right in front of our eyes (shift of priorities from 'caring for humans' to 'caring about technology'); 2. we've been comforted/reassured/deluded to think technology is 'good' for us and 'progress' is a panacea ("Lay down... drink this please./You'll be in peace soon"; "I have saved you").
I'm not going to say that all aspects of technology are bad or evil, but it's possibly gotten out of control without us realizing it or considering its implications or if we were ready for it. And it's possibly "Too late..." to slow down and reconsider our choices. Many don't realize that it might be in our best interest to do so. Hopefully we'll be able to free ourselves from the 'cult' of technology ("A cult by definition") like they do in 'Desert of Song'. X-] That song is truly liberating and gives me hope.
It's undeniable that BTBAM wants us to think about things on a broader scale, otherwise they wouldn't write such ambiguous lyrics open to multiple interpretations on different levels.
If you haven't seen their explanations of their Colors tracks, which are included on the Colors Live DVD, it's highly recommended, and supports my thought that they are trying to send a message bigger than the face value of their 'story' lyrics. Anyone want to try to interpret this in terms of the Man being your brain? That would be compelling, but it's too confusing for me to try right now. :D
Posts like this are the reason why I come to this sight. Great interpretation.
Posts like this are the reason why I come to this sight. Great interpretation.
*i meant SITE, sorry haha
*i meant SITE, sorry haha
@FacelessJane brilliant
@FacelessJane brilliant