Re: meaning behind Zero Sum

i agree, i think the line zeros and ones definitely makes a reference to the digital age but can be looked at in a more meaningful sense as you guys have been saying. one of you hit the nail on the head (for me anyway) when you said it was about placing value on things. the line says "all we ever were..." the message i take from it is that no matter who you are or where you're from, you don't have to look too far to see that life has become cheapened in modern times. you know? so many people up on high horses, somehow feeling more entitled to this or that than anyone else, and so many people out there who feel worthless.

another thing i've noticed about the lyrical tone of zero sum is that it feels repentant. year zero as a body of work overall is a story told from different points of view and for me, zero sum seems to come from a similar perspective as the greater good: one of the shady characters with real power and an interest in keeping us under control and who had a hand in getting us into this mess (read bush administration, media mogul, industrialist, banker, whatever), taking a step back and realising just what they've done and feeling remorse. it works for me, especially when you consider the actual music behind it is uplifting (certainly more uplifting than hurt etc). the overall feeling it conveys for me is that in the world of year zero, there is a glimmer of hope for salvation but it only comes when its too late.