Seems to be about politicians and voters, the election process and the circus it represents.

I think this song is about neither pornography, nor worthless TV programms, it's just about the process of the election campaign and the tendency of attracting the followers by the representatives of some political parties in order to collect as much votes as possible. The idea is that the means which our popular "leaders" frequently resort to are just unfair, deceitful and so on, and masses all the same try to take part in the promotion of the common misrepresentation. The leader's self-promotion goes in such a dirty way that it can be measured with pornograpthy things which are disgusting as well.

Certainly the song concerns the issue of remonstrance directed against all the above-stated.

By and large the song is much partly philosophic and leave you a space for different interpretations.

Me myself have become acquainted with song after release of "The Clerks" for which it did perfect.

Sooth to say song reminds me "Them and Us" in my comprehension of the later.

Edited by walder

Sexual appeal (the basest form) is ubiquitous in the media (not necessarily referring to porn), and by following it, we're tempered to be followers of a crook's scheme. It's dumbing us down. There is however a vestige of hope from those of us who stay behind (or "ride peripheral") and go against the grain on this one. The rhetorical question here (pushing aside the metaphor) is: are you going to indulge in what they tell you to and remain their sheep or are you going to take control of your life?

I thought this song was simply about, well, leaders and followers. "The image of a man who commands a high opinion" he is a leader. Then it asks us do we know our place and are we more then they, I guess, references how the "leaders" reference the "followers" as "they". So, I guess this song is telling people not to be someone else's follower.

Yes it is unfortunate that so many of you dismissed the porn suggestion. The line "And while many have desires of joining in the show Many turn and go the other way" could be about jacking off to sex but never actually do it. "Image of a man who commands a high opinion" may be about the degradation of women in the pornography industry. Or it could be about not just porn, but sitcoms, reality TV etc and peoples desire to engage in these relationships from afar while never having the guts to form a real relationship or get a real life, living through the lives of others (i.e. leaders and followers). So you who dismissed the pornography industry suggesting might wanna take another look. It?s about followers living life through the experiences of others (the leaders)

I think it's really unfortunate that all these people that have responded are so unwilling or unable to think outside of the box. The first post may or may not be accurate, but it's an interpretation. It's all subjective. At least the person who wrote it had the balls to think outside the box and give it new prespective. It can very well be about pornography. Anyone who has read remarks by the band knows they do not highly regard the porn industry. Congrats to the first posting and don't let these sheep dictate your reality.

Government they are 30 or 40 humans and rule over 30 or 40 millions and we the 30 or 40 millions follow without a reason only because we are afraid of change or because we don't know how to make a change.

I think this song has NOTHING to do with pornography! The 'intercourse of nature' and 'vulgar social pastime' refer to the 'the boisterous hollow masses / Who lap up whatever trickles in'... This song is clearly about the masses and how the politicians can so easily control our thoughts and emotions... 'And the few who ride peripheral Maintain subtle advantage Fighting hard to abstain and redress' This refers to those who are not influenced by politics, and who are battling hard against this mass propaganda and thought-control. Lastly, I think that the song makes one reflect about his position in society: whether he/she is one of these mind-controlling leaders (There's the image of a man / Who commands a high opinion), or part of the masses, or one of those fighting against this.

I don't think it has anything to do with pornography, those few lines were metaphor. It's about politics and success, leading or following others. 'There's the image of a man / Who commands a high opinion / And he hides his hatred with a sheepish grin / And beside him flanking closely / Are the boisterous hollow masses Who lap up whatever trickles in.' Certain people are Leaders. They have the charisma, intelligence, karma, whatever, to make themselves heard and believed. And many more are Followers, who have not the intelligence or will to fight for something. Sort of the driving force for pop culture. 'This intercourse of nature, / This vulgar social pastime, / Reflects the lowest mark of our progress / And the few who ride peripheral Maintain subtle advantage / Fighting hard to abstain and redress' He's talking about politics, people. 'Intercourse of nature,' I think, refers to partisan politics in America, which would support the 'few who ride peripheral' as free-thinkers who are trying to support a better system. 'Tell me do you know your place / In the big parade? / Are you more than they?' That's pretty obvious. I love this song; it's really eloquent about the nature of people.

That's one of the stupidest interpretations I've ever heard. just because you see the word 'intercourse' and 'voyeur' doesn't mean its about porn. If you looked at the lyrics, in the mean it has NOTHING to do with it, so try interpreting the whole song instead of 2-3 words.

I'm pretty sure this song is about pornography. 'This intercourse of nature, this vulgar social past time, reflects the lowest mark of our progress.' Greg also says 'voyeuristic public.' In fact, I think it may have to do specifically with the internet porn industry.