Planned Obsolescence

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a stark, almost militant declaration of science's supremacy over religion. The repeated assertion "Science is truth for life" acts as a mantra, driving home the idea that scientific understanding is the ultimate, enduring form of knowledge. This is directly contrasted with religion, which the narrator repeatedly states is "obsolete," suggesting it's a relic of the past, incapable of providing the definitive answers science offers. The phrase "Watch religion fall obsolete" carries a tone of inevitability, as if observing a natural, scientific process unfold. The central tension arises from the narrator's perception of humanity's pursuit of perfection through science and technology. The lyrics suggest that "wealth and prominence" and the drive for "possession" are seen as steps toward a near-perfect state, yet this very pursuit is framed as an "absence of eternity." This implies a paradox: in striving for ultimate control and material security, humanity might be forfeiting something timeless and essential, perhaps a connection to a spiritual or eternal realm that religion, however obsolete, once represented. A fascinating lyrical device is the juxtaposition of ancient concepts with modern, technical language. The mention of "Fortran tongue" – an early programming language – as the source of "the answer" is striking. It positions the cold, logical language of computing as the new scripture, replacing the divine revelations of old. This, along with the idea of "Technology as nature," blurs the lines between the artificial and the organic, suggesting a future where scientific constructs are as fundamental and pervasive as natural laws, further cementing science's role as the ultimate truth. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate through their unwavering, almost dogmatic conviction. The relentless repetition of "obsolete" hammers home the perceived finality of religion's decline. The writing effectively creates a sense of intellectual certainty, positioning science not just as a method of inquiry but as the sole arbiter of truth in a world rapidly shedding its old beliefs. The narrator appears to find a kind of absolution in this scientific worldview, seeing discovery as the ultimate "destroy illusion" and a defense against what they perceive as false divine claims.