I think most of you are looking at this song as if thats all it were. Erik got it pretty close, but took the song too personally and inflected too much of his own thinking.
To anyone who thinks this song is about being denied popularity or being tempted by an in-crowd.. smack yourself over the head and grow up. Because that's an insult to the nature of what this song is about.
It IS about contempt for manking, but as Erik suggests, its after reflection and meditation; the reality of existing on earth with human beings, and what that really means, comes as a shock and causes this non-objective portrait of karma.
In the album jacket, there's a brief synopsis of the story. Basically, it says, this is a story of self realization. Which implies a new understanding of ones-self. But it also implies a new understanding of those around you; the differences and the parallels. To realize suddenly that the people you accepted and tolerated are in fact using your energy and ambition for their own tired purposes, be they pride, success, contempt.
Just a scratch across the skin, a drop of blood to let them in.
Playing their game means that the slightest imperfection or vulnerability is grounds for them to get under your skin, effectively shaping how you act (To appeal to the highschool-minded people, if you stumble or your voice cracks, they feel justified to laugh. You accept that justification.)
Just listen to the song, and listen to what is being said. This is a very complex subject for anyone to tackle and they do it masterfully. It's about the disparity between the people who believe in drive, goals, and excellence, and the people who seek meaning through others, be it through ridicule, torment, bribery, manipulation, or compliance.
I think most of you are looking at this song as if thats all it were. Erik got it pretty close, but took the song too personally and inflected too much of his own thinking.
To anyone who thinks this song is about being denied popularity or being tempted by an in-crowd.. smack yourself over the head and grow up. Because that's an insult to the nature of what this song is about.
It IS about contempt for manking, but as Erik suggests, its after reflection and meditation; the reality of existing on earth with human beings, and what that really means, comes as a shock and causes this non-objective portrait of karma.
In the album jacket, there's a brief synopsis of the story. Basically, it says, this is a story of self realization. Which implies a new understanding of ones-self. But it also implies a new understanding of those around you; the differences and the parallels. To realize suddenly that the people you accepted and tolerated are in fact using your energy and ambition for their own tired purposes, be they pride, success, contempt.
Just a scratch across the skin, a drop of blood to let them in.
Playing their game means that the slightest imperfection or vulnerability is grounds for them to get under your skin, effectively shaping how you act (To appeal to the highschool-minded people, if you stumble or your voice cracks, they feel justified to laugh. You accept that justification.)
Just listen to the song, and listen to what is being said. This is a very complex subject for anyone to tackle and they do it masterfully. It's about the disparity between the people who believe in drive, goals, and excellence, and the people who seek meaning through others, be it through ridicule, torment, bribery, manipulation, or compliance.