Assume the Position
Boyd Rice Lyrics
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People generally get off on it
Those at the bottom thrive under conditions of oppression
And those at the top revel in imposing such conditions
Human nature demands it
Society, exactly as it now exists
Is the ultimate expression of sadomasochism in action
This isn't S&M as a mere game
There's no role-playing involved
The roles are all real
With real masters and real servants
There's no dressing up required to be a player in this enactment
You don't have to wear your handkerchief in a certain pocket to signal your position as a sadist or masochist either
You simply assume the position
This is sadomasochism not as a fetish, but in practical application
The sting of the riding crop is replaced by a more generalized sort of malaise
But when all is said and done
It is still an expression of people luxuriating in pain and submission
To say that people love to suffer is viewed as decadent cynicism by many
But a cursory glance at the world around us would definitely seem to support such a thesis
How telling it is that even in the context of a system created in absolute ignorance of man's true character
He remains true to his nature regardless
The lyrics to Boyd Rice's song "Assume the Position" explore the idea that oppression and submission are inherent aspects of human nature. The first stanza asserts that people are drawn to oppression, both those at the top who impose it and those at the bottom who thrive under it. This is because "human nature demands it," suggesting that subjugation is a fundamental part of who we are. The second stanza takes this idea further, arguing that society as a whole functions as a sadomasochistic system in which people revel in inflicting pain and submitting to it. The final lines suggest that this is not simply a product of a flawed system, but is an expression of people's true nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Oppression is the opiate of the masses
People are addicted to oppression
People generally get off on it
People derive pleasure from oppression
Those at the bottom thrive under conditions of oppression
People at the bottom find ways to succeed and prosper under oppressive conditions
And those at the top revel in imposing such conditions
People at the top enjoy enforcing oppression on others
Human nature demands it
Oppression is a natural result of human behavior
Society, exactly as it now exists
The current state of society
Is the ultimate expression of sadomasochism in action
Society is a manifestation of sadomasochism
This isn't S&M as a mere game
Sadomasochism is not just a role-playing game
There's no role-playing involved
The roles in this game are real
With real masters and real servants
There are dominant and submissive roles in society with actual power dynamics
There's no dressing up required to be a player in this enactment
One does not need to physically dress up to participate in the roles of society
You don't have to wear your handkerchief in a certain pocket to signal your position as a sadist or masochist either
There are no obvious signs or symbols indicating someone's role in society
You simply assume the position
You take the role that is given to you in society
This is sadomasochism not as a fetish, but in practical application
Sadomasochism is not just a sexual fetish, but is how society functions
The sting of the riding crop is replaced by a more generalized sort of malaise
Physical pain is replaced by a vague feeling of uneasiness or discomfort
But when all is said and done
In the end
It is still an expression of people luxuriating in pain and submission
People still enjoy experiencing pain and submitting to others
To say that people love to suffer is viewed as decadent cynicism by many
Many people see the idea that people enjoy suffering as a negative and cynical view
But a cursory glance at the world around us would definitely seem to support such a thesis
Looking at the world, it is clear that people do enjoy suffering and submitting to authority
How telling it is that even in the context of a system created in absolute ignorance of man's true character
It is ironic that even though society was created without full understanding of human nature
He remains true to his nature regardless
People still behave according to their inherent nature even within a society that doesn't fully understand it
Contributed by Andrew V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.