Darwin's Acid
Baba Brinkman Lyrics

In 1859 Darwin spilled the first splashes
In 1859, Darwin introduced his groundbreaking theory

Of his universal acid, and the effects were like magic
Of his revolutionary ideas, and their impact was extraordinary

Burning human arrogance into ashes
Challenging and dismantling human pride

In exactly the same way that Copernican math did
Similar to how Copernican mathematics did

No, the stars don't shine just to improve the view from earth
No, the purpose of stars is not merely to enhance our Earthly perspective

No, we're not the centre of the universe
No, we are not the central focus of the universe

No, we weren't created in the image of Jupiter
No, we were not formed in the likeness of Jupiter

No, we're not so special, and yes, the truth hurts
No, we are not exceptionally unique, and acknowledging this truth may be uncomfortable

But that's how evolution works – once it's been applied
However, this is the process by which evolution operates once it is employed

The acid burns into the superstitious side
The concept penetrates the superstitious aspects

Of the human mind, and fills it with light
Of human thought, enlightening the mind

It even dissolves the original sin of pride
It even eradicates the fundamental sin of arrogance

The pride that says: "I'm a special creation
The arrogance that asserts: "I am a distinct creation

And my creator has given me dominion over nature
And my maker has granted me authority over the natural world

And he has the power to replenish his creatures
And he possesses the ability to restore his creations

So if species go extinct, he can recreate them later
So if species become extinct, he can recreate them in the future

And if he doesn't, well that's just part of his plan"
And if he chooses not to, then it is simply a component of his design

Ah, but Darwin's acid is hard to withstand
However, Darwin's theory is difficult to endure

It plucks the arrogance deep from within the hearts of man
It extracts the arrogance from the depths of human hearts

And teaches us never to build our houses on sand
And teaches us not to build our foundations on unstable ground

But instead to try to understand why we're here
But rather to strive for comprehension of our purpose

One species among millions in this biosphere
One species amidst countless others in this ecosystem

Each with millions of ancestors, whose fighting spirits
Each with countless forebears, whose resilience and tenacity

Combined to give us this great survival gear
United to provide us with remarkable adaptability

These minds, these limbs, these incredible tools
These intellects, these appendages, these remarkable capabilities

Perfected by millennia of competitive use
Refined through thousands of years of evolutionary progress

And yes, these attention-seeking genitals too
And yes, even these reproductive organs that seek attention

Without them, these living forms could never improve
Without them, these organisms could never advance

It's such an elegant view, full of breadth and grandeur
It is a remarkably refined and magnificent perspective

And yet, some people react with depression and anger
Yet, some individuals respond with sadness and outrage

Like: "It's so unsympathetic, so viciously random!
Such as: "It is so indifferent, so brutally arbitrary!

What's the point of compassion, or ethical standards?
What is the purpose of empathy or moral principles?

If this is just a game that organisms are trapped in
If existence is merely a game in which organisms are confined

Genetically adapting to environmental factors
Genetically adjusting to environmental influences

Then there's no responsibility for individual actions!
Then individuals bear no accountability for their actions!

Where's the governing dynamic?!?"
Where is the guiding force?!?"

Well, once again Darwin gives us some answers
Yet again, Darwin provides us with answers

He says yes, everything from violence to violets to viruses
He affirms that everything, whether violence, violets, or viruses

Consists of organisms adapting to environments
Comprises organisms adjusting to their surroundings

If you're alive, it's because your ancestors were the best survivalists
If you exist, it is because your ancestors excelled in survival

They were the finalists in the genetic Olympic Games
They achieved recognition as the ultimate competitors in the realm of genetics

Every one of your ancestors lived to reproductive age
All your ancestors survived to reproductive maturity

And they were all better than their competitors at getting laid
And they all outperformed their rivals in reproduction

Otherwise, you wouldn't be sitting here today
Otherwise, you would not be present in this moment

There's something inspirational in this vision of Darwin's
This depiction from Darwin's perspective holds something inspiring

And it goes like this: organisms – like us – are not isolated
And it unfolds as follows: organisms, including us, are not solitary

Organisms are part of an environmental mix
Organisms are integral components of the environment

So your decisions affect evolution – it isn't directionless
Therefore, your choices influence the course of evolution – it is not without purpose

Now, before you dismiss me as a mad environmentalist
Now, before you reject me as a deranged environmental advocate

Just try to imagine how natural selection applies
Consider how natural selection operates

To countries that have industrialized
To nations that have undergone industrialization

Companies live and companies die
Businesses thrive and businesses perish

And when customers buy based on a company's green plan
And when consumers make purchases based on a company's environmentally conscious strategies

That affects the economy, just ask Alan Greenspan
That impacts the economy, inquire with Alan Greenspan

Cultural evolution is ours to reinvent
We have the opportunity to redefine cultural evolution

Wait, can we affect current events? Yes We Can
Wait, can we influence ongoing occurrences? Yes, we can

And when we choose who to sleep with and reproduce
And when we select our partners for procreation

Our sexual choices affect the gene pool
Our sexual preferences impact the collective genetic makeup

So it's simple, all we need to do is refuse
Thus, the solution is straightforward – we must reject

To sleep with mean people, and things will improve
Engaging in relationships with cruel individuals, and improvements will arise

Especially women – on you the pressure is greater
Particularly directed at women – the pressure on you is amplified

'Cause men will always do what it takes to get into your favour
'Cause men will relentlessly seek your favor

That's just in our nature, so if selfish behaviour
It is simply inherent in our nature, therefore if selfish conduct

Was a sexual graveyard, the effects would be major!
Carried significant consequences as a sexual deterrent!

In each of these cases, our intentional efforts
In all of these instances, our purposeful endeavors

Can play the part of environmental pressures
Can serve as environmental influences

I can say: "This is a space where a peaceful existence
I can proclaim: "This is a realm where peaceful coexistence

Will never be threatened by needless aggression"
Shall never be jeopardized by unnecessary hostility"

I can say: "This is an ecosystem where people listen
I can declare: "This is an ecosystem characterized by attentive understanding

Where justice increases over egotism
A place where fairness triumphs over selfishness

This is a space where religions achieve co-existence
This is a domain where religions attain harmonious cohabitation

And racism decreases with each coalition"
And racism diminishes with each alliance"

This is my vision of Darwinism, and how we all factor in
This is my interpretation of Darwinism, and our individual contributions

Each of us is a part of the environment; we pass through it
Each of us is a component of the environment; we traverse it

And change it, and affect the way that others adapt to it
And transform it, influencing how others adjust to it

And after we get to look back and see how we impacted it
And once we reflect and observe our impact

And maybe have a laugh if our sense of humour is still alive
And perhaps find amusement if our sense of humor remains intact

And what did Charles Darwin do? Darwin threw some light
And what did Charles Darwin achieve? Darwin shed light

On the origin of mankind, and he left us with skewered pride
Regarding the origin of humanity, and he left us with shaken pride

But he taught us that, yes, there's grandeur in this view of life
Yet, he taught us that there is indeed magnificence in this perspective of existence