Song meaning of Fates Worse Than Death Pt II: Anthropocene by Short Fictions

The song "Fates Worse Than Death Pt II: Anthropocene" by Short Fictions presents a dystopian vision of the future, specifically the Anthropocene era, where humanity's impact on the environment has reached a catastrophic level. The lyrics depict a future void of human presence, replaced by machines. The phrase "pastoral guise of functionality" suggests an artificial and controlled environment, giving the illusion of tranquility.

However, despite this seemingly idyllic setting, the functionality is flawed. The repetition of "but it don't work" emphasizes the failure of these artificial systems and highlights the inability to truly replicate the complexity and beauty of nature. It implies that the destruction caused by humans cannot be rectified by merely substituting them with machines.

The contrasting imagery of teeth falling out nightmares and apocalyptic dreams reveals the songwriter's desire for a more dramatic and definitive end. They long for a scenario where everything and everyone they know is obliterated, perhaps as a form of release from the disillusionment and emptiness of an artificial existence.

Overall, the song's message conveys a warning about the consequences of our actions on the environment and questions whether replacing humans with machines can truly solve these issues. It suggests that the destruction we have caused may lead to fates worse than death, where we lose our connection with nature and suffer from an artificial existence with no genuine solace or resolution.