Rational Humanist Music

I think that art is an important medium by which to communicate ideas, and for rationality to be successful as a meme it's going to need "carrier wave" works of art to help it compete with religion for the general population's passion and understanding.

Trouble is, you can't do that without the message becoming, well, irrational in the process. (Which is not without historical precedent!)

Not to disparage your artistic aspirations, but your poem is certainly an example. I won't even get into various relatively minor distortions of human history it presents. I'll just comment on its basic theme of technical progress, which it presents as a constant bringer of good fortune and improved life, and the expected source of a bright utopian future. This picture is just too remote from reality. Of course, it would be silly to deny the benefits of technical progress and economic growth since the Industrial Revolution, and various ideological attempts to argue otherwise are an awful pile of nonsense. However, in other periods in history, the connection has been less clear -- and more importantly, there is no guarantee that these historically recent favorable trends will continue into the future. The future technical progress may result in anything from human extinction to a grim Malthusian scenario, and in fact, a strong case can be made that such outcomes are more likely than "the world that we all long for" (whatever that is).

Now, you could say that in order to maximize the chances of bright future, we should raise awareness along these lines, promote humanism, etc. This however seems to me like an unproven assertion. Why would you believe this, and how would you justify this belief?

Also, another significant point of disconnect from reality in your article and poem is the belief that average people care for seeking truth beyond their own practical needs, or that they can be made to do so. Regardless of all the progress in science and technology, I see no indication whatsoever that average people in modern developed countries are less superstitious and less prone to high-status delusional beliefs than their ancestors centuries ago. In fact, I don't think this is true even of most highly educated people outside their particular fields of expertise, and I certainly don't believe it's true of most people who attach to themselves labels of rationalists, skeptics, free-thinkers, etc.

Somebody Will by Sassafras. It's the anthem for people working on big projects (especially space) that they will not see completed.

Drivel-- the opposite of an anthem-- it's a description of how to do bad science.

I WISH I COULD UP VOTE THIS TEN TIMES! There are so many things you've put in this post that all on their own would deserve a highly upvoted posts. Song collecting thread idea, great song links, encouragement for making LW art... And most of all, an absolutely beautiful and original example of such art!

There is no way I can properly express how greatly I support you in this task. This community needs art BADLY, much more so than almost anyone seem to realize and there is far to little incentive given for producing it.

I listened to "Singularity". I realize it was serious, but it almost sounded like a parody of transhumanism. In theory, I have no objection to uploading, but it's viscerally unappealing. Imagery about becoming ones and zeroes does not give me a warm happy feeling.

Your metaphor about light is a much pleasanter one. I can imagine that a love song might work, too - "I still want to know you in 3,000 years" or similar.

I think this might be a decent example of "rationalist" music. In particular, the lyrics communicate the value of seeking knowledge and discerning truth. There are parts that I disagree with, but overall I think it's pretty great for a Touhou soundtrack cover made by non-rationalists. Turn on captions to see the lyrics and their English translation.

The Philosopher's Polar North [Nhato Remix]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc4zZ43R9o0

I'll paste the translated lyrics here:

Accepting even those facts I have denied, ＜before time melts my memories away＞
I absentmindedly lift “truth” from an uneven distribution <as a god might guide fate＞

Even if all these impractical theories only represent my disbelief of the status quo,
　there is no “normal” that stays certain or consistent over time
Deciding based on experience is setting yourself into a foolish worldly restriction,
　even with careful consideration you cannot break the thick walls of your narrow views

Even my current knowledge is still uncertain, swaying,
　so with my current knowledge I should be able to keep seeking
When I break out of this shell I’ll reach out over everything
Everything in this world is in my mind; everything, is being drawn in

Everything that has been represented with a model has form,
　in this infinite space inside my mind, can move freely
Everything is recorded in the observer’s eyes
Even the deficiencies in my imagination can be immediately supplemented by literature,
　and so my descent continues –
Until the endless simulations converge into one
If the “end of times” is but a definition, I’ll keep chasing after it forever

Negating even established models, ＜before I am overcome with the consciousness of sin＞
I can go wherever I please, even as I await retaliation ＜as when a god guarantees freedom＞
With my current knowledge, I will not deny anything
　if with my current knowledge I can still keep seeking
The observer will cover over everything
Everything in this world is in my heart; everything, I can touch

No longer will this be contained in just the replicas that have been created,
　this infinite space inside my mind is already “another heaven”
The love of the observer will surely reach all
Everything I find wrong with the real world is immediately supplemented with literature,
　and so my descent continues –
Until my endless ideals converge wih reality
If there must exist “things that cannot be proven”,
I’ll just know everything there is

Roads without roads, questions without answers, turning the page the next is blank
Eventually, questions without questions, time without flow, just by walking towards a wall
There is only, impulse without intention, grasping at sand, it’s just another “Myth of Sisyphus”
That is, meaning without meaning, a predetermined time, zero degrees at the polar north
　the tip of knowledge’s
Roads without roads, questions without answers, turning the page the next is gone
Eventually, questions without questions, time without flow, running into a wall, standing still
There is only, impulse without intention, grasping at sand, it’s just another “Myth of Sisyphus”
That is, meaning without meaning, a predetermined time, even if it is
　zero degrees at the polar north

Here are some places to look for songs you might like:

http://www.prometheus-music.com/space.html
http://www.symphonyofscience.com/videos.html

Here are some less likely to yield anything useful/requiring more forgiving/metaphorical interpretation, but still better than average:
http://www.prometheus-music.com/divine.html
http://www.jonathancoulton.com/store/downloads/

... yea, not much. As I said FAR to little of this stiff exist.

I am currently composing/attempting to record a punk rock version of this; an embarrassingly low quality recording of which I would be happy to e-mail to interested parties when I get it done.

I encourage others to come up with different music because I am 100% certain I did not come up with the ideal composition for this song.

Edit: Here it is! I reiterate that the quality is embarrassingly bad!

Even though it might seem a little silly, I've always thought that Belinda Carlisle's Heaven Is a Place on Earth has a surprisingly rationalist, humanist bent. Aside from the basic message conveyed in the title and chorus, I'd note in particular the end of the second verse:

"In this world we're just beginning/ To understand the miracle of living/ Baby I was afraid before/ But I'm not afraid anymore"

Nothing too fancy, but I've always thought the song did a good job of capturing the simple joy that life on earth can hold.

Baby teeth by Bug Hunter is a nice atheism song, it captures my own feelings very well.

I wrote a rationalist song relatively recently. It's a pastiche of "Clear Mind" by Masaki Endoh, and shares the title. The melody is supposed to be mostly the same as the original song, but somewhat slower, and probably with different instruments. My version's lyrics are quite different though.

Here's the link to listen to the original song on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBcfTeVW61E&list=UUVLVBnJ37IQH1nZZHK2dOYA

The original song is an insert song that was in the anime Yugioh 5ds. It's in japanese, but there's an english translation in the video description.

And here's my version:

Clear Mind

(instrumental)

I take a step back and I look all around me
To find the optimal way to realize my dreams
I put two plus two together and I see the answer clearly

With your burning curiosity
And your piercing intellect
Cut through the darkness of illusion to reality!

I've got to make my predictions as accurate as they can be
Because people are counting on me...

Keep on searching for the truth that lies beyond!
Don't be fooled by the lies people tell to themselves or anyone else!
Keep on thinking through the problems facing you!
And you might just reach a better tomorrow with your sanity...with your Clear Mind!

Overcome your helpless confusion
Every mystery has a solution
But if you jump to conclusions you won't find it--No way!

Once you've gathered all the clues you can
And the whole picture isn't changing
Chances are you've solved the puzzle and it's time to act!
--on your findings

If the world is cruel and bloody
Dark and insane
Then I'll light it up with the power of my brain!

Keep on searching for the truth that lies beyond!
Don't be fooled by the lies people tell to themselves or anyone else!
Keep on thinking through the problems facing you!
And you might just reach a better tomorrow with your sanity...with your Clear Mind!

(instrumental)

Keep on searching for the truth that lies beyond!
Don't be fooled by the lies people tell to themselves or anyone else!
Keep on thinking through the problems facing you!
And you might just reach a better tomorrow with your sanity...

Keep on searching for the truth that lies beyond!
Don't be fooled by the lies people tell to themselves or anyone else!
Keep on thinking through the problems facing you!
And you might just reach a better tomorrow with your sanity...
WIth rationality...

With your Clear Mind!

My flashdrive recently went missing and there is a chance it might have been stolen. These lyrics were on it. It would be nice if there's someone in the community who's willing to perform it before whatever hypothetical person who might have my flashdrive now claims the song for themself. Anyone who wants to record themselves performing it and publish the recording on Youtube or something is welcome to do so as long as you don't pretend to be the songwriter and cite your sources properly.

I'm also curious about what the reactions are to this song. I hope the lyrics aren't irrational, but since I'm relatively new to rationality I suppose the odds of it being completely rational aren't that good. If it's not completely rational than I would appreciate it if people suggest edits to the lyrics.

Thanks!

Count me in the group that doesn't think your song is Dark Arts, any more than Methods of Rationality. I enjoy it, and I see its purpose as helping people enjoy being humanists.

Singularity is an awesome song, and I wish there were more like it. I'm really looking forward to hearing your lyrics set to music; they look great.

This is more or less discriptive

Blue Spotted Tail by Fleet Foxes

It's a very philosophical song, not strictly rational or humanist. It's the first song I thought of:

Why in the night sky are the lights hung?
Why is the earth moving 'round the sun?
Floating in the vacuum with no purpose, not one.
Why in the night sky are the lights hung?

Science STYLE Cover -- Related

Something that's bothered me a lot lately is a lack of good music that evokes the kind of emotion that spiritually-inspired music does, but whose subject matter is something I actually believe in.

I've had the exact same problem. Thank you for creating this post. :-)

For music that evokes a sublime atmosphere and lacks religious lyrics, I recommend the ambient electronic artist Stellardrone. You can download all the albums for free on his official website. http://stellardrone.bandcamp.com/ (There is one album called "Invent the Universe", but that could refer to a programmer creating a simulated universe. There are no lyrics IIRC and the song titles are quite innocuous, so you are relatively free to interpret the songs as you wish.)

Also, how would you feel about listening to sublime music based on intentionally fictitious deities? I'm thinking in particular about a song from a video game, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. The song in question is Child of Chaos, the theme song for Yune, the in-game goddess of chaos. (There are no lyrics, in case that's relevant.) I really love this song. Don't be fooled by its name. The song is actually very serene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYdxRReGjaE

I love your song lyrics by the way. :-) I think it's fine that they draw attention to the bright side of technological development. For the record, I like futuristic dystopian music as well. There's a time and place for both, depending on my mood.

It's been a few years since your post was published. Do you now have audio versions of your song that you can link?

I dont know what the feelings are out here is on heavy metal, but I thought Black Sabbath's "Children of the Grave" is a great song and is what we are looking for. It's primary message is clearly the fight against existential risk. It also portrays the nature of the situation very well, sending across a very clear message. It certainly lacks any technical sounding language, which may be what is needed if something were to be adopted as an anthem, especially for this kind of movement (that is already viewed as being way too technical).

You can check it out here.

Since this is about music, not just songs, I wanted to submit Star Trek XI's main theme. It may not have lyrics, but it gets the point across, I think.

Always makes my eyes moist

A few from my collection:

Acts of Creation by Kathy Mar (it must be online somewhere because I downloaded it once, but I can't find it now)

Make them Hear You from Ragtime (probably most effective within its context -- the character singing is about to walk out to face near-certain death)

Fins of Human Knowledge by Ben Newman

I'll second everything on http://www.prometheus-music.com/space.html

And if Brighter than Today ever gets recorded, please post it here.

Elena Huston - Future In My Hands: An anthem against status quo bias, the sunk costs fallacy and appeals to authority (interpreting each even quatrain as a denigration of the prior odd quatrain).

Ah, I forgot about Baba Brinkman. Rap music about evolution, psychology, and classic literature.

For rationalist tunes... there's always the German oldie "Die Gedanken sind frei" (My thoughts are free). I wouldn't mind hearing a version of that other than the usual 'bunch of guys doing a drinking song' style.