Blog 7

There were many themes in the song Handlebars by Flobots. The main theme was corruption. The song starts by saying things like, I can do this, look at me, I can show you this and I can do anything that I want cause look. All these things represent human potential. He can ride a bike with no handle bars. He can show you how to do-si-do. He can make new vaccinations. Throughout the music video there was a dove, doves symbolize peace, and every time the dove appeared it would end up getting destroyed or eaten. Slowly the song goes from happy peaceful things to destruction. “I can make anybody go to prison Just because I don't like 'em And I can do anything with no permission I have it all under my command”, “And I can end the planet in a holocaust.” Instead of using our human potential for good we use it for power and destruction. Last year China’s Military was in its worst corruption scandal in its history. Two of their officials were accused of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power. Taking cash bribes from soldiers so they can get higher in the ranks. Instead of using their power for good they were corrupted by money because there was no one there to stop them. A good representation of this military corruption is the line. “And I can do anything with no permission I have it all under my command Because I can guide a missile by satellite” This song helps expose the “systems” thrive for power. Which usually involves destruction and abuse of power. Even though in the beginning he wanted to do good things he still ended up being corrupted.