imo, the deeper meaning with respect to this song is the same as the overall concept of Green Naugahyde. Les is referring to the foolish Go-Green movement that's happening in the world right now. The Hennepin Crawler is an example of how naive people are about "saving the planet" by using recycled waste materials to build more impractical material goods. He's pointing out how gullible people are being converted into self-righteous green fascists. They are fed false information about what is happening to the planet and false solutions.
The TV, the UN, national governments, corporations, etc. are basically telling these people that if they recycle enough and use highly-inefficient, impractical sources of power (i.e. wind & solar power), then they're doing their part in saving the planet (so they'll get to "touch that pie in the sky"). But really, they're only doing it for their own selfish benefit (e.g. to "impress them steam-punk girls" at Burning Man or whatever). So they can't see how it actually compromises their own survival, and how it keeps their eye off of the only real game that is played in this physical reality: the money game (so you end up with "no friends who're fit for deals"). This idea sort-of hearkens back to Groundhog's Day.. you have to pay to play. It's sad truth, but when you deny it instead of dealing with it in a realistic/rational way, the dominators will take advantage of your self-deceit, and you end up pedaling a bicycle (i.e. compromising your already-difficult life) for no good reason.
That's true, it's not ONLY about environmentalism. I was just trying to point out the connection between this song and what I see as being the overarching concept of the album. If you notice, the album cover shows a plastic dopey character with a silly green hat riding a bicycle that he's permanently attached to by his hands and feet. This appears to be a satirical comment on the whole "go green" attitude that has infected a large percentage of the population.
That's true, it's not ONLY about environmentalism. I was just trying to point out the connection between this song and what I see as being the overarching concept of the album. If you notice, the album cover shows a plastic dopey character with a silly green hat riding a bicycle that he's permanently attached to by his hands and feet. This appears to be a satirical comment on the whole "go green" attitude that has infected a large percentage of the population.
But this song is also a commentary on how stupid and materialistic our society has become...
But this song is also a commentary on how stupid and materialistic our society has become (which is where the other characters come into play in the stream of consciousness, as you pointed out). So I agree that there's more to the song than just the environmental piece, but I do think it has a deeper, abstract meaning. It's very difficult to put into words of course (which is why I love Primus).
Wow, thanks man. I honestly didn't think anyone would have a clue as to the point of this, or for the album for that matter. Your comment totally blew me away. I can't believe I missed the environmental theme that is carried throughout.
Wow, thanks man. I honestly didn't think anyone would have a clue as to the point of this, or for the album for that matter. Your comment totally blew me away. I can't believe I missed the environmental theme that is carried throughout.
Looks to me like the dislike of environmental politics came first and the dubious interpretation came later!
Looks to me like the dislike of environmental politics came first and the dubious interpretation came later!
1) The Hennepin Crawler is a real thing - http://krankboomclank.com/ - and I don't think anybody who has had to pedal this thing would claim it is a green transport solution. Its very appeal comes from the fact it is so weird and impractical. It's just a bit of fun, and they probably transport it to festivals in the back of an F150 for all I know.
1) The Hennepin Crawler is a real thing - http://krankboomclank.com/ - and I don't think anybody who has had to pedal this thing would claim it is a green transport solution. Its very appeal comes from the fact it is so weird and impractical. It's just a bit of fun, and they probably transport it to festivals in the back of an F150 for all I know.
2) There is very little in this song about environmental politics, and IMO it doesn't...
2) There is very little in this song about environmental politics, and IMO it doesn't benefit from having them tacked on after the fact.
3) It's quite a breathtaking generalisation to say that pedalling a bicycle equates to 'compromising your life'! Depends what you use it for surely? But then you seem to have made your mind up that any move towards saving energy, or securing renewable sources, is just part of the Green Conspiracy.
Well, this is not the forum to try and convince you otherwise, so have fun fracking on Indian reservations, and thanks for all the nice sunsets, but let's not try and ascribe dubious political meaning where there is none in evidence. Cheers...
imo, the deeper meaning with respect to this song is the same as the overall concept of Green Naugahyde. Les is referring to the foolish Go-Green movement that's happening in the world right now. The Hennepin Crawler is an example of how naive people are about "saving the planet" by using recycled waste materials to build more impractical material goods. He's pointing out how gullible people are being converted into self-righteous green fascists. They are fed false information about what is happening to the planet and false solutions.
The TV, the UN, national governments, corporations, etc. are basically telling these people that if they recycle enough and use highly-inefficient, impractical sources of power (i.e. wind & solar power), then they're doing their part in saving the planet (so they'll get to "touch that pie in the sky"). But really, they're only doing it for their own selfish benefit (e.g. to "impress them steam-punk girls" at Burning Man or whatever). So they can't see how it actually compromises their own survival, and how it keeps their eye off of the only real game that is played in this physical reality: the money game (so you end up with "no friends who're fit for deals"). This idea sort-of hearkens back to Groundhog's Day.. you have to pay to play. It's sad truth, but when you deny it instead of dealing with it in a realistic/rational way, the dominators will take advantage of your self-deceit, and you end up pedaling a bicycle (i.e. compromising your already-difficult life) for no good reason.
Yikes, rejesterd. You are a madman. Theres NO WAY this song is about environmentalism!
Yikes, rejesterd. You are a madman. Theres NO WAY this song is about environmentalism!
That's true, it's not ONLY about environmentalism. I was just trying to point out the connection between this song and what I see as being the overarching concept of the album. If you notice, the album cover shows a plastic dopey character with a silly green hat riding a bicycle that he's permanently attached to by his hands and feet. This appears to be a satirical comment on the whole "go green" attitude that has infected a large percentage of the population.
That's true, it's not ONLY about environmentalism. I was just trying to point out the connection between this song and what I see as being the overarching concept of the album. If you notice, the album cover shows a plastic dopey character with a silly green hat riding a bicycle that he's permanently attached to by his hands and feet. This appears to be a satirical comment on the whole "go green" attitude that has infected a large percentage of the population.
But this song is also a commentary on how stupid and materialistic our society has become...
But this song is also a commentary on how stupid and materialistic our society has become (which is where the other characters come into play in the stream of consciousness, as you pointed out). So I agree that there's more to the song than just the environmental piece, but I do think it has a deeper, abstract meaning. It's very difficult to put into words of course (which is why I love Primus).
Wow, thanks man. I honestly didn't think anyone would have a clue as to the point of this, or for the album for that matter. Your comment totally blew me away. I can't believe I missed the environmental theme that is carried throughout.
Wow, thanks man. I honestly didn't think anyone would have a clue as to the point of this, or for the album for that matter. Your comment totally blew me away. I can't believe I missed the environmental theme that is carried throughout.
I really like this interpretation.
I really like this interpretation.
Looks to me like the dislike of environmental politics came first and the dubious interpretation came later!
Looks to me like the dislike of environmental politics came first and the dubious interpretation came later!
1) The Hennepin Crawler is a real thing - http://krankboomclank.com/ - and I don't think anybody who has had to pedal this thing would claim it is a green transport solution. Its very appeal comes from the fact it is so weird and impractical. It's just a bit of fun, and they probably transport it to festivals in the back of an F150 for all I know.
1) The Hennepin Crawler is a real thing - http://krankboomclank.com/ - and I don't think anybody who has had to pedal this thing would claim it is a green transport solution. Its very appeal comes from the fact it is so weird and impractical. It's just a bit of fun, and they probably transport it to festivals in the back of an F150 for all I know.
2) There is very little in this song about environmental politics, and IMO it doesn't...
2) There is very little in this song about environmental politics, and IMO it doesn't benefit from having them tacked on after the fact.
3) It's quite a breathtaking generalisation to say that pedalling a bicycle equates to 'compromising your life'! Depends what you use it for surely? But then you seem to have made your mind up that any move towards saving energy, or securing renewable sources, is just part of the Green Conspiracy.
Well, this is not the forum to try and convince you otherwise, so have fun fracking on Indian reservations, and thanks for all the nice sunsets, but let's not try and ascribe dubious political meaning where there is none in evidence. Cheers...
truedave, what do you think the song/album means?
truedave, what do you think the song/album means?