Rising Down

(I originally posted this as a comment to the launch)
One song I feel clearly defines the current state of our times is "Rising Down" by The Roots (feat. Mos Def, Styles P and Dice Raw). The image the song conjures is one completely depressing, and paints a bleak landscape of a new era in America. One where the people are plagued by natural disasters, global warming, drug addiction, and crime. The beat drones with a deep bass and a dark guitar riff coupled with the socially-conscious rhymes to create a perfect atmosphere. The music is powerful and gets right to the core of how many of us feel when faced with our modern day problems. The words do the heavy lifting in displaying the message, and one of the most telling lyrics is in the third verse by Styles P. It relates directly to our study of technology and its pitfalls: "Look at technology, they call it downloadin',/I call it downsizin', somebody follow me/ Does a computer have an astrology/ and when it f-ck up could it give you an apology?". This questions whether our online interactions are making us better, or just really "downsizin'" our lives into a database. The lack of accountability computers leave us is astonishing. They have nearly unlimited power, but have no human qualities to keep them in check. They can cause mass destruction, and never be reasoned with, this makes them inherently dangerous. The responsibility we have vested in them is enormous, which only heightens the damgage they could unleash. It's the blue-collar blunt truths found in this song that make it's message so effective, and so frightening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jB1MT4Tkvg