This is about the fallacies and ignorance and narcissism of certain psychedelic enthusiasts. It's a masterfully humorous song, and full of truth.
The part where he says "Me, the chosen one. They chose me, and I didn't even graduate from fucking high school...."
It's a sort of slap in the face to all the psychonauts and self appointed mystics and shaman who walk around acting as if, or believing, that they have been granted special access to the mysteries of life. That they have tapped into some fount of knowledge about all the Big Questions that have eluded mankind since day one. Never mind the fact that many, more powerful, minds have been unable to give us definitive answers to these questions... they have been granted special access to the answers because...why? Because they took acid and believe in ufo's?
No, because they are special, they have been chosen. It's a sort of narcissism, to think that you are so important that you get to know the mysteries of life that nobody else gets to know, and that you should simply be granted this knowledge and responsibility because you were wise enough to ingest a chemical that has been experimented with for most of the last century, by millions of people, some of them likely much more talented and intelligent than you.
The "Rosetta Stoned" feeling is a common occurance on lsd. I had it happen a few times when I used to take it as a teenager. You get this overwhelming feeling of having discovered some deeper, hidden meaning about life, a major revelation of some kind. But somehow, by the time you are sober again, the feeling is gone. Some faint echo of it nags at you, because it felt so real, what was it? Should have written it down...shit the bed...
Ok, so next time you take acid, and it happens again, but this time you are prepared, you brought your pen!
So you write down the essence of your revelation, this refinement of knowledge that has eluded mankind, but now you, the chosen one, can tell everyone, because you wrote it down! Good thinking!
You come down, and later feel that tug in your mind...what was it... oh yeah, the piece of paper! You pull it out of your pocket and read:
" A circle and a square are really the same thing!!!!"
" "Pink should be cherished and respected, it s here to mitigate aggression."
" If I try hard to honor you, you will try harder to honor me."
" The important number is 3!"
Huh?
Is this some gibberish, and some paraphasing of ancient and well know pieces of advice like the golden rule masquerading itself to you as something you invented on your own? What happened, it doesn't feel as overwhelming to read it sober, does it?
Hell, none of these ideas are new, and all of them have been descibed and debated in much clearer and understandable language than this psychedelic obscuritan drivel anyhow...
I think you have a great interpretation of this song, but I don't agree with a few of the basic principles here.
I think you have a great interpretation of this song, but I don't agree with a few of the basic principles here.
Maybe someone with more experience in natural psychedelics can correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I know psychedelics are all about the death of the ego. I can agree that some people would be more susceptible to becoming narcissists, but for the majority the exact opposite effect is much more common. Selfish desires are dropped, bad habits are seen and easily fixed, and one feels sort of compelled to do good, live simple and try to set a good example for the rest of society.
As far as gibberish or strange thoughts while tripping. Well, it's very similar to dreaming. We all have dreams sometimes where we think of something that just seems so important or mind blowing, then when we wake up we realize it either was a metaphor for something else or was just a random memory concoction. However, this does not mean that all dreams are meaningless. Same principle for psychedelics. Sometimes you might have a strange thought "The banana peel is THE BANANA ARMOR!" But you might also think "Wow, I just realized I've been being an asshole to everyone I come in contact with, because I had this bad experience in my childhood. Hmm, I shouldn't let this weigh me down, I know I can fix this. I can be better!" These sorts of "revelations" can be carried over to sober states.
As far as ideas being genuine or new, no ideas are really genuine. You can say nothing that has not been said before. I don't think this makes our words meaningless. Everything you say and do has an effect, and that effect has an effect, and so on.
Also, I do not believe LSD to be as beneficial as psilocybin. Who knows if the acid you are getting is pure? For most it is almost impossible to know for sure, and this to me seems dangerous. That being said, it could be possible more of the irresponsible type could be attracted to acid. Irresponsible people could be more likely to become narcissists. That's just my opinion. DMT is a whole other territory than either of these.
All of that being said, everyone is different, so it's impossible to tell what kind of reaction or trip one would experience. I do agree there is ignorance in the psychedelic community, just as there is ignorance in every place on this earth. No group is perfect. You should always expect to see the bad side of any sort of people. Religion has shown this very well.
I didn't mean to attempt to negate your comment, I actually believe you interpreted this song very well. I just happened to see it, and would like to give my input concerning psychedelics and narcissism, since I know many people will be reading these sorts of comments and could develop a false sense of how psychedelics work. Go read a hundred psychedelic trip reports, and tell me if you think natural psychedelics breed narcissism. You might find the opposite is true.
"This is about the fallacies and ignorance and narcissism of certain psychedelic enthusiasts. It's a masterfully humorous song, and full of truth."
"This is about the fallacies and ignorance and narcissism of certain psychedelic enthusiasts. It's a masterfully humorous song, and full of truth."
Ignorance is a lack of knowledge... a lack of knowledge that you displayed when you made this comment. Alex Grey does the artwork for Tool and was also featured in the film "DMT The Spirit Molecule". Similar artwork from the bands music video "Parabola" was featured on the cover. The film is filled with what you call "psychedelic enthusiasts" including Alex Grey himself, and explores the experience of DMT. It even hypothesis's its experience to be spiritual in nature and has connections to sacred artwork.
So why would Tool make multiple songs (Parabola, Lateralus, Reflection, Rosetta Stoned, etc.) that made fun of the very person who does all the brilliant artwork for the band? Do you know how retarded that sounds? But of course when you lack knowledge and you can't help but express your opinions, you're bound to show the world how stupid you are.
I liked your interpretation, although I happen to agree more with Moiraine.
I liked your interpretation, although I happen to agree more with Moiraine.
Nature is wise and some humans are and some aren't. Nature offers some plants or natural substances that may enhance or may not our perception and even our consciousness if they're used correctly (sometimes even without the will of use them as they should they can cause some positive effect on anyone).
Nature is wise and some humans are and some aren't. Nature offers some plants or natural substances that may enhance or may not our perception and even our consciousness if they're used correctly (sometimes even without the will of use them as they should they can cause some positive effect on anyone).
The key word is IGNORANCE. Ignorance of the people that don't know and don't use any of those substances (natural or sinthetic), just as ignorance of the people that use them.
The key word is IGNORANCE. Ignorance of the people that don't know and don't use any of those substances (natural or sinthetic), just as ignorance of the people that use them.
I think (this is not related to the song or maybe a little) that there's an unespecific path to reach a deeper level of awareness that may help to purify our lifestyles and our minds. This may be achieved with or without the use of any of these substances but they may turn this path a little easier for those who are willing to pay attention instead of using them only for recreation.
I think you're pretty spot on here. I did a project on Tool for one of my college religion classes and I used parts of this song. My professor proposed basically the same theory: that Maynard is mocking the phonies out there who trip on psychedelics and discover the meaning of existence.
I think you're pretty spot on here. I did a project on Tool for one of my college religion classes and I used parts of this song. My professor proposed basically the same theory: that Maynard is mocking the phonies out there who trip on psychedelics and discover the meaning of existence.
Moiraine has very valid points as well. Maynard is not saying that the ideas and revelations that are brought about by drugs are meaningless. It is simply that they are not answers to life that need to be shared with everyone. The person in the story believes that he is "the chosen one." No one is any more chosen to gain knowledge about our existence than anyone else.
I think that Introverse's comments were unnecessary and rude. If that's your opinion then share it, but don't cut other people down. Also, Maynard and all the members of Tool let drugs like acid and DMT heavily influence their art. Maynard is not trying to discredit anyone who allows that to change their thought, and TheJackyl wasn't saying that. He is merely mocking those people who believe that they are special and more gifted than everyone else because of their drug use.
@TheJackyl Mm I really do like this interpretation but there are also other great ones on here, I've personally experienced that "Rosetta Stoned feeling" several times.
@TheJackyl Mm I really do like this interpretation but there are also other great ones on here, I've personally experienced that "Rosetta Stoned feeling" several times.
@TheJackyl
Flawed argument 1 : "Never mind the fact that many, more powerful, minds have been unable to give us definitive answers to these questions".
If every genius has thought "if it were that a brilliant idea, someone else would already have figured it out", then we would still be living in obscurantist stone age
Flawed argument 2
Just because you came up with gibberish doesn't make it a universal rule
@TheJackyl
Flawed argument 1 : "Never mind the fact that many, more powerful, minds have been unable to give us definitive answers to these questions".
If every genius has thought "if it were that a brilliant idea, someone else would already have figured it out", then we would still be living in obscurantist stone age
Flawed argument 2
Just because you came up with gibberish doesn't make it a universal rule
Besides, "Tool" basically means drugs (and sex) are a means to unlock the mind, as used in most shamanic cultures. Hence, it's most unlikely that the meaning of this song is : "ah, drugs! they make you see rubbish , a' right!?"
3- btw, you were right about the number 3!, and i'm not (especially) stoned, so ...;p
@TheJackyl I know you posted this ages ago, and I’ve no idea if you’ll even see this, but you nailed the meaning spot on. I still think about how the following made perfect sense to me, when I was dosing:
@TheJackyl I know you posted this ages ago, and I’ve no idea if you’ll even see this, but you nailed the meaning spot on. I still think about how the following made perfect sense to me, when I was dosing:
Snoopy’s brother lives in the desert, right? Right.
You drive out in the desert on three wheels and get a flat tire; how many pancakes does it take to cover his house? None, fish don’t like ice cream.
Snoopy’s brother lives in the desert, right? Right.
You drive out in the desert on three wheels and get a flat tire; how many pancakes does it take to cover his house? None, fish don’t like ice cream.
This is about the fallacies and ignorance and narcissism of certain psychedelic enthusiasts. It's a masterfully humorous song, and full of truth.
The part where he says "Me, the chosen one. They chose me, and I didn't even graduate from fucking high school...."
It's a sort of slap in the face to all the psychonauts and self appointed mystics and shaman who walk around acting as if, or believing, that they have been granted special access to the mysteries of life. That they have tapped into some fount of knowledge about all the Big Questions that have eluded mankind since day one. Never mind the fact that many, more powerful, minds have been unable to give us definitive answers to these questions... they have been granted special access to the answers because...why? Because they took acid and believe in ufo's?
No, because they are special, they have been chosen. It's a sort of narcissism, to think that you are so important that you get to know the mysteries of life that nobody else gets to know, and that you should simply be granted this knowledge and responsibility because you were wise enough to ingest a chemical that has been experimented with for most of the last century, by millions of people, some of them likely much more talented and intelligent than you.
The "Rosetta Stoned" feeling is a common occurance on lsd. I had it happen a few times when I used to take it as a teenager. You get this overwhelming feeling of having discovered some deeper, hidden meaning about life, a major revelation of some kind. But somehow, by the time you are sober again, the feeling is gone. Some faint echo of it nags at you, because it felt so real, what was it? Should have written it down...shit the bed...
Ok, so next time you take acid, and it happens again, but this time you are prepared, you brought your pen! So you write down the essence of your revelation, this refinement of knowledge that has eluded mankind, but now you, the chosen one, can tell everyone, because you wrote it down! Good thinking!
You come down, and later feel that tug in your mind...what was it... oh yeah, the piece of paper! You pull it out of your pocket and read:
" A circle and a square are really the same thing!!!!"
" "Pink should be cherished and respected, it s here to mitigate aggression."
" If I try hard to honor you, you will try harder to honor me."
" The important number is 3!"
Huh?
Is this some gibberish, and some paraphasing of ancient and well know pieces of advice like the golden rule masquerading itself to you as something you invented on your own? What happened, it doesn't feel as overwhelming to read it sober, does it? Hell, none of these ideas are new, and all of them have been descibed and debated in much clearer and understandable language than this psychedelic obscuritan drivel anyhow...
I think you have a great interpretation of this song, but I don't agree with a few of the basic principles here.
I think you have a great interpretation of this song, but I don't agree with a few of the basic principles here.
Maybe someone with more experience in natural psychedelics can correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I know psychedelics are all about the death of the ego. I can agree that some people would be more susceptible to becoming narcissists, but for the majority the exact opposite effect is much more common. Selfish desires are dropped, bad habits are seen and easily fixed, and one feels sort of compelled to do good, live simple and try to set a good example for the rest of society.
As far as gibberish or strange thoughts while tripping. Well, it's very similar to dreaming. We all have dreams sometimes where we think of something that just seems so important or mind blowing, then when we wake up we realize it either was a metaphor for something else or was just a random memory concoction. However, this does not mean that all dreams are meaningless. Same principle for psychedelics. Sometimes you might have a strange thought "The banana peel is THE BANANA ARMOR!" But you might also think "Wow, I just realized I've been being an asshole to everyone I come in contact with, because I had this bad experience in my childhood. Hmm, I shouldn't let this weigh me down, I know I can fix this. I can be better!" These sorts of "revelations" can be carried over to sober states.
As far as ideas being genuine or new, no ideas are really genuine. You can say nothing that has not been said before. I don't think this makes our words meaningless. Everything you say and do has an effect, and that effect has an effect, and so on.
Also, I do not believe LSD to be as beneficial as psilocybin. Who knows if the acid you are getting is pure? For most it is almost impossible to know for sure, and this to me seems dangerous. That being said, it could be possible more of the irresponsible type could be attracted to acid. Irresponsible people could be more likely to become narcissists. That's just my opinion. DMT is a whole other territory than either of these.
All of that being said, everyone is different, so it's impossible to tell what kind of reaction or trip one would experience. I do agree there is ignorance in the psychedelic community, just as there is ignorance in every place on this earth. No group is perfect. You should always expect to see the bad side of any sort of people. Religion has shown this very well.
I didn't mean to attempt to negate your comment, I actually believe you interpreted this song very well. I just happened to see it, and would like to give my input concerning psychedelics and narcissism, since I know many people will be reading these sorts of comments and could develop a false sense of how psychedelics work. Go read a hundred psychedelic trip reports, and tell me if you think natural psychedelics breed narcissism. You might find the opposite is true.
"This is about the fallacies and ignorance and narcissism of certain psychedelic enthusiasts. It's a masterfully humorous song, and full of truth."
"This is about the fallacies and ignorance and narcissism of certain psychedelic enthusiasts. It's a masterfully humorous song, and full of truth."
Ignorance is a lack of knowledge... a lack of knowledge that you displayed when you made this comment. Alex Grey does the artwork for Tool and was also featured in the film "DMT The Spirit Molecule". Similar artwork from the bands music video "Parabola" was featured on the cover. The film is filled with what you call "psychedelic enthusiasts" including Alex Grey himself, and explores the experience of DMT. It even hypothesis's its experience to be spiritual in nature and has connections to sacred artwork.
So why would Tool make multiple songs (Parabola, Lateralus, Reflection, Rosetta Stoned, etc.) that made fun of the very person who does all the brilliant artwork for the band? Do you know how retarded that sounds? But of course when you lack knowledge and you can't help but express your opinions, you're bound to show the world how stupid you are.
I liked your interpretation, although I happen to agree more with Moiraine.
I liked your interpretation, although I happen to agree more with Moiraine.
Nature is wise and some humans are and some aren't. Nature offers some plants or natural substances that may enhance or may not our perception and even our consciousness if they're used correctly (sometimes even without the will of use them as they should they can cause some positive effect on anyone).
Nature is wise and some humans are and some aren't. Nature offers some plants or natural substances that may enhance or may not our perception and even our consciousness if they're used correctly (sometimes even without the will of use them as they should they can cause some positive effect on anyone).
The key word is IGNORANCE. Ignorance of the people that don't know and don't use any of those substances (natural or sinthetic), just as ignorance of the people that use them.
The key word is IGNORANCE. Ignorance of the people that don't know and don't use any of those substances (natural or sinthetic), just as ignorance of the people that use them.
I think (this is not related to the song or maybe a little) that there's an unespecific path to reach a deeper level of awareness that may help to purify our lifestyles and our minds. This may be achieved with or without the use of any of these substances but they may turn this path a little easier for those who are willing to pay attention instead of using them only for recreation.
I think you're pretty spot on here. I did a project on Tool for one of my college religion classes and I used parts of this song. My professor proposed basically the same theory: that Maynard is mocking the phonies out there who trip on psychedelics and discover the meaning of existence.
I think you're pretty spot on here. I did a project on Tool for one of my college religion classes and I used parts of this song. My professor proposed basically the same theory: that Maynard is mocking the phonies out there who trip on psychedelics and discover the meaning of existence.
Moiraine has very valid points as well. Maynard is not saying that the ideas and revelations that are brought about by drugs are meaningless. It is simply that they are not answers to life that need to be shared with everyone. The person in the story believes that he is "the chosen one." No one is any more chosen to gain knowledge about our existence than anyone else.
I think that Introverse's comments were unnecessary and rude. If that's your opinion then share it, but don't cut other people down. Also, Maynard and all the members of Tool let drugs like acid and DMT heavily influence their art. Maynard is not trying to discredit anyone who allows that to change their thought, and TheJackyl wasn't saying that. He is merely mocking those people who believe that they are special and more gifted than everyone else because of their drug use.
@TheJackyl Mm I really do like this interpretation but there are also other great ones on here, I've personally experienced that "Rosetta Stoned feeling" several times.
@TheJackyl Mm I really do like this interpretation but there are also other great ones on here, I've personally experienced that "Rosetta Stoned feeling" several times.
@TheJackyl Flawed argument 1 : "Never mind the fact that many, more powerful, minds have been unable to give us definitive answers to these questions". If every genius has thought "if it were that a brilliant idea, someone else would already have figured it out", then we would still be living in obscurantist stone age Flawed argument 2 Just because you came up with gibberish doesn't make it a universal rule
@TheJackyl Flawed argument 1 : "Never mind the fact that many, more powerful, minds have been unable to give us definitive answers to these questions". If every genius has thought "if it were that a brilliant idea, someone else would already have figured it out", then we would still be living in obscurantist stone age Flawed argument 2 Just because you came up with gibberish doesn't make it a universal rule
Besides, "Tool" basically means drugs (and sex) are a means to unlock the mind, as used in most shamanic cultures. Hence, it's most unlikely that the meaning of this song is : "ah, drugs! they make you see rubbish , a' right!?"
3- btw, you were right about the number 3!, and i'm not (especially) stoned, so ...;p
@TheJackyl I know you posted this ages ago, and I’ve no idea if you’ll even see this, but you nailed the meaning spot on. I still think about how the following made perfect sense to me, when I was dosing:
@TheJackyl I know you posted this ages ago, and I’ve no idea if you’ll even see this, but you nailed the meaning spot on. I still think about how the following made perfect sense to me, when I was dosing:
Snoopy’s brother lives in the desert, right? Right. You drive out in the desert on three wheels and get a flat tire; how many pancakes does it take to cover his house? None, fish don’t like ice cream.
Snoopy’s brother lives in the desert, right? Right. You drive out in the desert on three wheels and get a flat tire; how many pancakes does it take to cover his house? None, fish don’t like ice cream.
@TheJackyl Your cynicism in regards to persons attempting to describe that which is ineffable discourages spirituality by shaming abstraction.
@TheJackyl Your cynicism in regards to persons attempting to describe that which is ineffable discourages spirituality by shaming abstraction.