rhetoricpig

mp3s-2 from Daft Punk's new lp, an Armand van Helden, and the delicious Distroia ep by Mouse On Mars in it's entirety.

Daft Punk
Robot Rock
Steam Machine

First, let's take a look at Robot Rock from Daft Punk's Human After All. Here's a pretty standard representation of the robot-man, there's some increased speed, there's a certain obvious detachment, and there's the extended use of repetition. Robots love the repetition. Also present is a certain simplicity, and personally, I've seen/heard nothing yet to give me pause to worry. Steam Machine, aside from the anarchic title, presents the image of a possibly more formidable foe, just in that we get our first example of the robotic application of force. I'm not impressed. Though the inhuman steadiness with which the slightly high level force was applied is of note.
In closing I doubt these robots possess the initiative nor creativity to constitute a threat to man. But more importantly, in direct conflict, strategically and on the battlefield, we'll wipe the floor with them.

Armand van Helden
The Robots Are Cumming

Now then, let's move on to Armand van Helden's much more problematic The Robots Are Cumming. In comparison to the previous this is faster, the repetition is more pronounced, and while the force exerted may be similar to that of Daft Punk's 'bot, the force applied seems to be much greater here. The repetition may be an exploitable weakness and strength and speed are arenas we must expect to relinquish superiority in in the event of a human-robot coflict. What's most disturbing is the disposition of these metallic Oedipuses. There is a dangerous paranoia. "We will survive," is repeated as in turn, a threat, a statement of hope, and an expression of apocalytic fear. All of which fuel a fierce opposition. While strategically of little suprise, it cannot be ignored that the immediate target of all this automated maladroit energy is the human female! "When we cum inside." It is this phrase, pardon the expression, coupled with the seemingly willing flesh and blood woman whom can be heard at the outset of the audio, which leaves me so worried. I can't imagine how a breeding relationship could lead elsewhere than a second-class and terminal position. I know this is a sentimental 'problem' of less tactical note than their speed and strength. But I can't help myself, I'm just a human.
We're all just human.
Brothers and sisters, we have our work cut out for us. Do I think we can win? Yes. But bloody.

Mouse On Mars- Distroia ep
1. Distroia
2. Yippie
3. Distroia [Super Sonig Fadeout]
4. E135
Music by robots, for robots.

Okay, there's the requisite speed and repetition. And there are the occasional expressions of inhuman strength. But where is the simplicity? Most disturbing, where is the detachment, the hollow robotiness? It would appear that the M.O.M. (Mouse On Mars) robots are a different breed of beast altogether than the previous two sorry shades of robotic threat. Dammit! Where is the easily intimated human-centrism which has made us feel so much more important, so much better in our previous conflicts with 'metals'? Am I jumping around? Am I scaring you? I'm scared! These satanic M.O.M. 'bots are too much for us to hope to handle. They're smarter than us! They're faster and stronger than us! And now they're more fucking sensitive than us!
There is one thing in our favor. Only one thing. The M.O.M. 'bots have not deemed us a threat. Yet. Let us hope and pray that we maintain this slight from our new metal masters. Believe it and *quietly I whisper* shut the fuck up!



One can picture/hear a M.O.M. robot standing over the inconsequential last dead person, remarking, "I'm human after all."