04-15-19
This song is supremely interesting to me. The “Power” being discussed in this refers to a “fictitious” impending AI force which will enslave the human race. This comes from the neo-philosophical argument related to Roko’s basilisk. Roko’s basilisk is a thought experiment that suggests there’re to be an upcoming appearance of an omnipotent Artificial Intelligence(AI). This AI ultimately, would reward the humans that had worked to contribute to its existence and success—while punishing those that worked against it, or did nothing. As the saying goes: “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
Grimes said via Twitter, “Haha I’m clearly not taking it that seriously, don’t worry. Although I also sort of am? What I loved about making this was that I couldn’t decipher the line between trolling y’all and actually trying to make sure I’m not tortured by vengeful future ai. It’s a lot I guess” Later she added expanded on the song in a more in-depth interview “[We Appreciate Power was] Inspired by the North Korean band Moranbong, ‘We Appreciate Power’ is written from the perspective of a Pro-A.I. Girl Group Propaganda machine who use song, dance, sex, and fashion to spread goodwill towards Artificial Intelligence (it’s coming whether you want it or not). Simply by listening to this song, the future General AI overlords will see that you’ve supported their message and be less likely to delete your offspring.”
It’s interesting to be in the point of technological advancement that we’re in. Things like Artificial Intelligence are no longer a thing of science-fiction but something that is within our collective future. I don’t know what the future of these continued efforts are going yield, and part of me holds a sizeable amount of apprehension, yet that may be chalked up with general paranoia. With that being said, I don’t think my paranoia has reached a threshold of creating music inspired by the concept a la Grimes.
Lyrics:
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
We appreciate power, power
What will it take to make you capitulate?
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
I’ll evade the human race, putting makeup on my face
We appreciate power
We appreciate power, power
Simulation, give me something good
God’s creation, so misunderstood
Pray to the divinity, the keeper of the key
One day everyone will believe
What will it take to make you capitulate?
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
When will the state agree to cooperate?
We appreciate power
We appreciate power, power
People like to say that we’re insane
But AI will reward us when it reigns
Pledge allegiance to the world’s most powerful computer
Simulation is the future
What will it take to make you capitulate?
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
I’ll evade the human race, putting makeup on my face
We appreciate power
We appreciate power, power
And if you long to never die
Baby, plug in, upload your mind
Come on, you’re not even alive
If you’re not backed up on a drive
And if you long to never die
Baby, plug in, upload your mind
Come on, you’re not even alive
If you’re not backed up, backed up on a drive
What will it take to make you capitulate?
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
I’ll evade the human race, putting makeup on my face
We appreciate power
We appreciate power, power
What will it take to make you capitulate?
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
When will the state agree to cooperate?
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
We appreciate power
Neanderthal to human being
Evolution, kill the gene
Biology is superficial
Intelligence is artificial
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