Rant by Bo Burnham - A Programmer's Perspective

If you're a programmer and haven't heard of Bo Burnham, you're in for a treat. Burnham is a comedian, musician, and writer who has captured the hearts of many with his unique style of performance. In this article, we'll be taking a closer look at one of his most popular songs, "Rant".

Background

"Rant" is a track from Burnham's 2010 album, "Words Words Words". The song is a fast-paced tirade against many of the social and cultural ills of today's society. Burnham's rapid-fire delivery and clever wordplay make for an entertaining, albeit somewhat nihilistic, look at the world around us.

The Lyrics

Here are some selected lyrics from "Rant":

What's wrong with the world, mama People livin' like they ain't got no mamas I think the whole world addicted to the drama Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma

Burnham's critique of society's problems is scathing, and here he takes aim at the fact that people seem to be more interested in drama and conflict than in living peaceful lives. This is a common criticism of social media, which often seems to thrive on conflict and controversy.

Education's the key, but it's also the problem 'Cause if there was a way to learn it in college Without the bullshit, then I'd be involved, man But instead of every semester filled with irrelevant courses

As a programmer, this one hits home. Many of us have spent years in college learning computer science, only to find that much of what we studied was irrelevant to our actual work. This is a frustration that Burnham captures perfectly.

You say I'm just a stupid kid To speak of politics, you dismiss it as rhetoric But they're lyin' to us, don't you get it, kids? Iraq has no weapons, but I guess we're almost finished

Here, Burnham takes a swipe at the way politicians and media outlets manipulate the public into believing false narratives. As programmers, we know the dangers of misinformation and the importance of relying on facts.

The Message

While "Rant" can be seen as something of a depressing look at the world around us, it's also a call to action. Burnham wants us to be aware of the problems in our society, and to strive for a better world. As programmers, we have a unique role to play in shaping the future. We can use our skills to build better software, to promote social justice, and to make the world a better place.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Rant" is a song that's full of clever wordplay and biting social commentary. As programmers, we can appreciate Burnham's critique of the problems in our society, but we must also be a part of the solution. Let's use our skills to make the world a better place.