We build empires of storage units
to hold our unnecessary stuff
a fortress of moth-eaten memories,
guarded with whimsical boundaries –
a providence for buying things
we crave, but really do not need –
the materials to which we cling,
that we think will bring happiness
Generations addicted to television,
and other mind-numbing distractions,
keep us focused on brainwashing remedies
to pessimistically veto individuality
Acquire our thoughts and mindsets from celebrities,
or preachers, politicians, and quacks –
whose regimes we follow religiously
to avoid the stress of formulating our own thoughts
Today it’s hip to be cynical –
assume the worst, right from the start.
Pass judgments on things we know nothing about,
or have obtained only first impressions.
People are easy to consume and discard,
the result of McDonaldization.
Nearly nothing in this world’s sacred anymore –
just gets used, thrown away, fully wasted!
Important is only the future,
and achieving a lucrative job.
Start planning your life back in middle school,
choose your way of reaching the money.
Strive for deadlines, paydays, and release dates,
and simply tolerate the present.
It all won’t come fast enough, so just rush through your life.
If you’re bored, just watch more TV!
The soul has rather little power anymore.
Our dictators are our own bodies.
Our physical assets define who we are –
especially if we’re fat, or ugly.
Our skin pigment’s especially vital as well –
skin tone apparently defines personality!
Let’s get skeptical if someone’s not beautiful –
actions discredited by their own bodies.
Nothing’s enough – everything’s never enough!
Greed has manifested gratitude.
The paradigm’s stuck on the external things,
and thinking of oneself as most important.
Shallow’s the fashion, self-obsession the fad,
and everything seems quite hopeless.
But if we first work on rearranging ourselves,
and directly start fighting the Feed,
we’ll have more individual unity,
all without committing mutiny.
We could achieve a state influenced by love,
and peacefully destroy this empire.
credits
from Mauled By An Otter,
released April 10, 2012
Scott Erickson - accordion, vocals, harmonica
Sheridan - banjo
Aaron James Gates - electric guitar
Romanteek is one of my favorite local bands, and Matt collaborated with me on "Cobwebs & Constellations" and "Adaptations to a Modern Age." Scott Steven Erickson
Chicago singer/multi-instrumentalist Ellie Kim explores funk, R&B, pop, and jazz on this stirring LP, a love letter to the LGBTQ community. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 31, 2019