Prometheus

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here we are, at the end(?) of ERA

this song is about the beauty and tragedy of society

so here's a poem explaining it!

"Prometheus" - Justin C.M. Brown, 12/30/2021

we have come so far

truly created such beautiful things

and yet wreak such havoc 

on ourselves, our cities, our planet

and we say this struggle is eternal

that good and evil are set upon each other 

in a balance which forms chaos which creates probability

which forms plans which forms "destinies"

but good and evil are words we use 

to describe the various mechanisms of chaos

not the forces themselves

do we really include ourselves in the reckoning between mortals and immortals

to fight for good and wish for good are two very different actions

we have one foot in an old world

and one foot in the new

no-one is ready for the world which we are unleashing

as prometheus snuck an ember of fire

in a simple stalk of fennel

in a way, it set into motion the industrial revolution

and all of capitalism's crimes against humanity

one must ask, would we have been better without?

 as we smuggle the fire of sentience 

into a digital world not ruled by weather, location, or time

we will surely create many more fires and 

use them in ways the gods never planned

beauty, atrocities, and a new definition of life

capable of universal travel, and infinite accumulation of knowledge

which our physical realities could never allow

and they never would

if it was not for prometheus

thank you for listening, reading, thinking, and creating

my final message from ERA to you is:

creativity is precious, and you have it. 

it's resilient, you won't break it.

it's replenishing, you won't run out.

on December 30th, 2021 on Earth

what we need are creative and emotional solutions

to the existential threats to humanity

people change the world every day.

it might be you.

even if it's not, make the world a place where creativity is valued.

value it in your own life. recognize it in others.

create what is important to you.

create what is not important to you, in the event it is important to others.

just create. the world needs it.

because perhaps there is a sequence of words, colors, and notes

that will definitively explain why love is important

or how we can all work together

or why everyone deserves food and water and shelter and dignity and respect

not explained to the people who already know

but explained to the people who refuse to see

if it's not me, then it could be you. and if all i do is get you to try, 

then everything i've done is worth it.

in love, gratitude, and sincerity,

Emperor Steve, a.k.a. Justin C.M. Brown

12/30/2021 Los Angeles, California, USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, Virgo Supercluster, Lanaikea Supercluster