The Idiots Are Taking Over
NOFX Lyrics

It's not the right time to be sober
The current state of society is so concerning that it's not the time to be rational and logical.

Now the idiots have taken over
People with low intelligence or a lack of common sense and judgment now dominate society.

Spreading like a social cancer, is there an answer?
People who act foolishly are becoming more and more prevalent everywhere, and it's hard to stop this trend.

Mensa membership conceding
Even highly intelligent or gifted people are acknowledging the overwhelming prevalence of foolishness in society.

Tell me why and how are all the stupid people breeding
There seems to be an increasing number of unintelligent people, and it's unclear why and how they're procreating at such high rates.

Watson, it's really elementary
It's painstakingly obvious that people with low intelligence are becoming more common and influential in society.

The industrial revolution
The period of technological advancement in history, starting in Britain in the late 18th century and spreading to other parts of the world.

Has flipped the bitch on evolution
The rapid technological changes brought about by industrialization have changed the nature of the world so fundamentally that it has had a negative impact on evolution, reducing the presence of beneficial traits.

The benevolent and wise are being thwarted, ostracized, what a bummer
Intelligent or conscientious people are being sidelined or disregarded, which is unfortunate and disheartening.

The world keeps getting dumber
It's noticeable that many people are becoming increasingly unintelligent or ignorant, resulting in a world that's collectively less intelligent.

Insensitivity is standard and faith is being fancied over reason
People are tending to prefer superstitions or dogmatic beliefs over rational thinking or empathy with others.

Darwin's rolling over in his coffin
The famous biologist Charles Darwin, who developed the theory of evolution, would be stunned and disheartened if he saw how the world has developed in recent times.

The fittest are surviving much less often
The concept of survival of the fittest, as Darwin proposed it, is becoming less and less relevant in society, as other factors become more important.

Now everything seems to be reversing, and it's worsening
The trend of diminishing intelligence in society is only getting worse, despite expectations that things would get better.

Someone flopped a steamer in the gene pool
Metaphorically, someone introduced something very harmful and unpleasant to society's gene pool, reducing the intelligence and quality of people.

Now angry mob mentality's no longer the exception, it's the rule
People are more and more likely to behave irrationally or impulsively, succumbing to the influence of a larger group to which they belong.

And I'm starting to feel a lot like Charlton Heston
The singer is starting to resemble the actor Charlton Heston in his role as the artist in the movie 'Planet of the Apes,' in which humans have become subservient to apes.

Stranded on a primate planet
The feeling of being left helpless and under the rule of beings who are less intelligent or capable.

Apes and orangutans that ran it to the ground
Metaphorically, those who have engaged in foolishness have run society to the ground, contributing to its decline.

With generals and the armies that obeyed them
People who act irrationally or foolishly are being led by others who are even more foolish, rather than having strong leaders.

Followers following fables
People are more likely to believe in myths or outdated stories, rather than facts or evidence-based information.

Philosophies that enable them to rule without regard
Those in power are able to maintain their influence and authority by making use of injudicious or indefensible strategies.

There's no point for democracy when ignorance is celebrated
In a society where foolishness is celebrated, there's no real point to having a system of governance based on equality or freedom of choice.

Political scientists get the same one vote as some Arkansas inbred
Even those with expertise in political science or government have only the same amount of influence as someone who is uncultured or ignorant in a particular area.

Majority rule, don't work in mental institutions
In situations where irrationality, impulsiveness or a lack of good judgment is common, systems of governance based on the rule of the majority won't work effectively.

Sometimes the smallest softest voice carries the grand biggest solutions
Although it's tempting to rely on people with louder or more forceful voices, sometimes the most effective solution comes from someone who is quiet and unassuming.

What are we left with?
Given the prevailing trend toward foolishness, what have we been reduced to?

A nation of god-fearing pregnant nationalists
The people who are becoming more prevalent are those who are overly devoted to religion or their nation, to the extent that they lose their common sense or their ability to reason.

Who feel it's their duty to populate the homeland
Those who prioritize increasing their nation's population may be doing so to the detriment of their country's intelligence or overall well-being.

Pass on traditions
People often feel it's important to preserve certain customs, even if they don't make logical sense in current times.

How to get ahead religions
Some religions or belief systems prioritize the pursuit of wealth or material prosperity at the expense of intelligence or other qualities.

And prosperity via simpleton culture
There seems to be a growing preference for simplistic, unchallenging culture that doesn't require real thought or analysis.

The idiots are taking over
The overall belief that people without good judgment or intelligence are becoming dominant in society.

The idiots are taking over
Again repeating the point that unintelligent people are continuing to gain power and influence in society.

The idiots are taking over
Repeating the notion that foolishness is becoming more prevalent and dominant everywhere.

The idiots are taking over
Metaphorical statement that idiocy is increasing its hold over society and shaping its direction.

The idiots are taking over
Reiterating the singer's belief that unintelligent people are increasingly leading society toward a negative outcome.

The idiots are taking over
A statement of frustration or helplessness regarding the trend toward foolishness in society and the apparent inability to stop it.

The idiots are taking over
Final restatement of the key point of the song, emphasizing the overall message that unintelligent or irresponsible people are gaining influence in society.