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Object-Oriented Sing-Along
What's it like? It's not important.
August 29, 2009
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For some reason, my memory recently called up the 80s/90s alternative rock band They Might Be Giants. I wonder if the song "Particle Man," from their 1990 release Flood, might not be the preemptive, unofficial theme song of speculative realism:

Particle man, particle man
Doing the things a particle can
What's he like? It's not important
Particle man

Is he a dot, or is he a speck?
When he's underwater does he get wet?
Or does the water get him instead?
Nobody knows, Particle man

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Classic.

Of course, Person Man probably comes from a different philosophical tradition altogether.

And I assume Triangle Man is a naturalist.

Asher Kay on August 29, 2009 9:06 PM

Although I agree as far as the lyrics go, if we admit authorial intent into the interpretation, the band's interest in Rudolf Carnap may make things metaphysically uncomfortable.

Mark J. Nelson on September 9, 2009 3:43 AM
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