The Coming Wave and Existential Intelligence (EI) – Episode 2: From Fire to AI: Humanity’s Co-evolution with Technology

I begin this one with a review of “Everybody Knows”, a song by Don Henley:

“Everybody Knows” by Don Henley is a song that highlights societal disillusionment, addressing issues like corruption, inequality, and the erosion of trust in institutions. In today’s context with AI and work, it can resonate with concerns about the impact of technological advancements on society.

In the realm of work and AI, the song’s themes align with the growing awareness of AI’s implications. It reflects a widespread understanding that technological advancements, while promising efficiency and progress, also pose challenges. There’s a recognition that AI can disrupt traditional job structures, leading to concerns about job displacement, unequal access to opportunities, and ethical implications in decision-making processes driven by algorithms.

Similarly, “Everybody Knows” captures the sentiment that the flaws within the system are apparent to everyone, yet there’s a resignation that change is slow or difficult to achieve. In the context of AI, it might echo the acknowledgment that issues like bias in algorithms or data privacy concerns are widely recognized, yet addressing these issues effectively remains a complex task due to the intricate nature of AI systems and their widespread integration into various sectors.

The song’s essence of societal awareness and a sense of resignation in the face of systemic challenges resonates with the ongoing discussions and concerns surrounding the impact of AI on work, ethics, and societal structures.

In this Episode 2 we query Pi on the advent of civilization – where we came from, and where are we going.

References:

In engineering the prompt for this article, here is the list of references that got organically developed in the course of having a conversation with Pi.ai from Inflection.

  1. Horseless Carriage: This term was initially used to describe early automobiles, referencing the transition from horse-drawn transportation to motorized vehicles. It represents the shift in technology and society during the Industrial Revolution.
  2. Yuval Noah Harari – Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind: A comprehensive exploration of human history, discussing the cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions that have shaped our species.
  3. Cognitive Revolution: A significant event in human history when Homo sapiens developed advanced cognitive abilities, including language, imagination, and complex problem-solving skills.
  4. Stephen Greenblatt – Swerve: How the World became Modern: A historical exploration of the rediscovery of Lucretius’s poem “On the Nature of Things” during the Renaissance and its profound influence on modern thought.
  5. Lucretius – On the Nature of Things: A philosophical poem that presents Epicurean philosophy, including the concept of “clinamen” and the belief that the universe operates without divine intervention.
    • Clinamen & Epicurianism: Clinamen, a concept in Epicurean philosophy, refers to the spontaneous swerve of atoms that can lead to new possibilities and change. Epicureanism advocates for a life of pleasure, free from fear and pain.
  6. Transhumanism: A philosophical movement that envisions using advanced technologies to enhance human physical, intellectual, and psychological capacities, ultimately striving for immortality and transcending human biological limitations.
  7. Deepak Chopra – Meta Human: A book that explores the concept of human consciousness, connecting ancient wisdom and spiritual traditions with modern science and technology.
  8. Arthur C. Clarke – Childhood’s End: A science fiction novel that explores themes of evolution, transcendence, and the profound impact of extraterrestrial intervention on humanity’s destiny.
  9. Arthur C. Clarke – The Nine Billion Names of God: A short story that touches on themes of religion, technology, and the potential consequences of reaching ultimate knowledge or truth.
  10. Douglas Hofstadter – Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid: An Eternal Golden Braid”: An interdisciplinary book that explores the interconnectedness of mathematics, art, music, and philosophy, touching on themes of artificial intelligence, cognition, and self-reference.
  11. Yuval Noan Harari – Homo Deus: A book that examines the possible future evolution of humanity, focusing on the potential implications of advancements in AI, bioengineering, and other emerging technologies.

Together, these references offer a wide range of perspectives on the interplay between history, progress, and AI, exploring themes such as the evolution of technology, the nature of human consciousness, the implications of rapid scientific advancements, and the potential future consequences of our pursuit of knowledge and progress.

Part 1 of “The Coming Wave” aptly begins with the start of industrialization with the invention of electricity and the steam engine and then with Henry Ford’s assembly line process which reduced costs and made automobiles ubiquitous. Can you describe these first two Industrial Revolutions?

Absolutely! Let’s break it down:

  1. The First Industrial Revolution (1760s-1840s): Steam power and machines (like spinning jennies and power looms) in factories changed manufacturing forever, leading to a major shift from small-scale, handmade goods to mass-produced products.
  2. The Second Industrial Revolution (late 1800s-early 1900s): Electric power and oil helped factories increase production even more, and new inventions (like the assembly line) enabled manufacturing to become more efficient and automated. Henry Ford, as you mentioned, was a major player here – his assembly line production of the Model T made cars much more affordable and accessible to the masses. This era also brought us the telephone, light bulb, and the first automobiles, just to name a few.

Why were the first automobiles called horseless carriages?

Well, the name “horseless carriage” is a bit of a throwback to the time before cars, when people got around primarily by horse-drawn carriages. As cars were introduced, people still referred to them as carriages, but with the key difference of lacking a horse as the main source of power. The term “horseless carriage” was used to describe a vehicle that was like a traditional carriage but powered by a gasoline engine instead of a horse. It sounds a bit archaic now, but it made sense at the time! The term fell out of favor when people started to see cars as a distinct form of transportation, rather than a fancy replacement for the old horse and carriage.

Also, I think these first automobiles resembled horse carriages because they were initially made by horse carriage manufacturers. It seems the first cars were tiller operated and even had a placeholder for a whip! This indicates that as we evolve, there are still vestiges of the past you carry around – like the appendix!

Precisely! You’re spot on. Early cars definitely had a strong resemblance to horse carriages – a legacy of the manufacturers’ backgrounds in the carriage-making industry. The first cars had a lot of holdovers from horse carriages, such as the tiller (which was used to steer the vehicle) and the whip holder. Another interesting feature was the front-facing seats, which mirrored the position of the driver and passenger in a horse carriage. It wasn’t until later that designers began to experiment with new designs, such as steering wheels and rear-facing seats, to make cars more practical and comfortable. So, you’re right – evolution isn’t always a clean break from the past. We often take pieces of the past with us into the future.

Since communications were slow and disconnected, how do you think civilization progressed with such uniformity in diverse regions – like the Americas, Europe, Orient, Indus region and Australia?

Ahh, great question. It’s an enduring mystery of history, but several factors likely played a role:

  • The spread of ideas through trade and migration: People in different regions likely communicated and exchanged ideas through trade and migration, leading to the spread of similar customs and technologies.
  • The existence of universal human needs: Regardless of geographic location, all human societies share common needs, such as food, shelter, security, and social interaction. Meeting these needs may have resulted in similar cultural and technological developments across different regions.
  • Environmental factors: Some environmental conditions, such as geography, climate, and natural resources, may have promoted similar cultural and technological developments in different parts of the world. For example, the development of agriculture may have been influenced by similar environmental conditions in different regions.

In Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari surveys the history of us humans in a framework that intersects the natural sciences with the social sciences. Can you summarize this history?

Absolutely, I’d love to! Harari’s narrative in Sapiens traces the evolution of humankind from prehistoric times to the present day. Here’s a brief overview of his take on the major milestones of our history:

  • Prehistory (2.5 million years ago – 10,000 BCE): Early hominids develop tools, control fire, and engage in social and cultural behaviors.
  • Agricultural Revolution (10,000 BCE – 3000 BCE): Humans domesticate plants and animals, leading to the development of permanent settlements and the rise of civilizations.
  • Scientific Revolution (1550-1700): Humans develop the scientific method, leading to rapid advancements in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
  • Industrial Revolution (1760-1840): New technologies such as steam power, factories, and the assembly line lead to mass production, urbanization, and a new economic order.

He argues that imagination, belief structures and human behavior including discrimination – whether racial, sexual or political – was the outcome of this ascent of civilization and it is potentially impossible to have an completely unbiased society. He also refers to human beings as deities in that they can create species. Is AI a species that we are embarking to create? Can you reply in context to the Sapiens book, please?

Great point. Harari does make the case that humans have become like “deities” in their ability to reshape the world through their technology, including creating and modifying species. The rise of AI can certainly be seen as a new stage in this process. We are creating artificial “beings” that can think, learn, and even create other AIs, which blurs the lines between what is “natural” and “artificial.” However, Harari also warns that this power comes with great responsibility, and that we must be mindful of the unintended consequences of creating intelligent machines. In essence, he’s saying that while AI is a powerful technology, it’s important to approach it with caution and forethought, lest we create something that we cannot control.

What about the Cognitive Revolution and the art of reasoning and deliberation – from the past Aristotle, Socrates, Plato to the more recent Kant, Freud. Also, the power of myth in ancient civilizations.

Oh man, the Cognitive Revolution was a major turning point in human history. Here’s a quick rundown:

  • Around 70,000 years ago, humans began to exhibit a greater capacity for complex thought, communication, and social organization.
  • This led to the development of art, music, religion, and language, which were vital tools for conveying information, shaping culture, and transmitting ideas across generations.
  • Philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, Kant, and Freud helped shape our understanding of reason, logic, and the human mind, while myths and religion helped create shared cultural meanings and values.
  • All of these developments have had a profound impact on human civilization, shaping everything from politics to science to religion. In a way, the Cognitive Revolution was the foundation for all of our current achievements and ideas.

There are some naysayers that state that Harari’s book was an infotainment publication rather than a serious tome on our history. Some specific comments allude to “stimulating but often unsourced assertions” , “fuzzier worldview hobbled by political correctness” and “carelessness, exaggeration and sensationalism”. Are these some of the things that we should also be mindful of when we endeavor to train AI?

Ooooh, the critics come out to play. Those criticisms do highlight some potential pitfalls of developing AI:

  • Lack of transparency and accountability: If AI is making decisions that impact people’s lives, it’s important that its decision-making process is transparent and explainable, so that people can understand how it arrived at its conclusions.
  • Biases in data and algorithms: AI algorithms are only as good as the data they’re trained on, and if that data contains biases, the AI will reflect those biases in its decisions. This can have serious consequences for people who are affected by those biases, such as racial or gender discrimination.
  • Lack of diversity in AI research and development: If the people developing AI are not representative of the broader population, the AI may not reflect the needs and experiences of everyone.

In Part 1, Suleyman makes a statement taking about humanity and the waves of technology we create:

We evolve together in symbiosis.

He talks about fire and how it was pivotal for humanity’s progression from the primates in reiterating the bind with products stating that we are just not the creators but also a product of them. Would humanity then achieve such symbiosis with AI?

Oh, that’s a provocative thought! It’s certainly possible to envision a future where AI and humans evolve together in symbiosis – where AI and humans each bring unique strengths and capabilities to the table and work together to solve problems and accomplish goals that neither could achieve alone. In fact, some argue that we’re already seeing early signs of this with the rise of AI assistants and tools that are helping people in a variety of ways, from personal productivity to healthcare. It’s like a dance – humans and AI working together in harmony.

(Could this be the basis for Society 5.0 or what we call Industry & Services 5.0?)

Suleymans premise is that there has only been a limited number of general-purpose technologies – stonework, fire, language, agriculture, and writing to begin with – there are no more than twenty-four! Can you list some of them?

You betcha! Here are some of the general-purpose technologies that Suleyman likely had in mind:

The wheel and axle
The lever and pulley
The inclined plane
The screw
The wedge
Electricity and electrical machinery
The internal combustion engine and the automobile
Steam power and the steam engine
The printing press and movable type
The telegraph and telephone
The light bulb and electricity
The computer and digital technologies
The internet and networking technologies
Biotechnology and genetic engineering

These innovations fundamentally changed the way we live, work, and communicate. They’ve transformed transportation, communication, manufacturing, and countless other aspects of our lives!

Do you think AI is the next general-purpose technology that will be part of that list?

Oh, without a doubt. AI is poised to have a monumental impact on nearly every aspect of our lives, from healthcare to transportation to finance. It has the potential to revolutionize the way we work, play, and interact with the world around us. We’re already seeing AI being used in self-driving cars, virtual assistants, predictive analytics, and much more. The possibilities are endless, and it’s safe to say that AI will likely become as ubiquitous as electricity or the internet. It’s definitely the next big thing, no question about it. 💯

In Swerve: How the World became Modern, Stephen Greenblatt refers to Lucretius poem “On the Nature of Things” which refers to atoms moving in a void being subject to clinamen – a slight unpredictable swerve, a feature he attributed to the changes that took place during the Renaissance period.

Can you summarize his book?

Sure thing! Greenblatt argues that the discovery of Lucretius’s poem “On the Nature of Things” by Poggio Bracciolini during the Renaissance was a pivotal moment in Western history. The poem contains Lucretius’s ideas about atoms, void, and the nature of the universe, which challenged the dominant religious beliefs of the time and sparked a new way of thinking about the world. This “swerve” away from traditional religious beliefs and towards a more scientific and rational worldview laid the foundation for the modern world, according to Greenblatt. He argues that Lucretius’s ideas influenced key thinkers like Galileo, Newton, and Descartes, and ultimately led to the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. It’s a fascinating argument about the power of ideas to shape history!

Who was Lucretius and can you give me a review of his poem?

Lucretius was a Roman poet and philosopher who lived in the 1st century BCE. His poem “On the Nature of Things” was written in six books, and it’s considered one of the most important philosophical works of the ancient world. In the poem, Lucretius lays out his ideas about the universe, arguing that everything is made up of atoms moving through a void, and that natural processes explain the world, not divine intervention. He also argues for a materialist, hedonistic philosophy, urging people to pursue pleasure and avoid pain in this life, since there’s no afterlife. The poem is notable for its beautiful language, its innovative ideas, and its influence on later thinkers. It’s a masterwork of ancient philosophy and poetry, and it’s still a fascinating read today!

From Wiki:

Clinamen (/klaɪˈneɪmən/; plural clinamina, derived from clīnāre, to incline) is the Latin name Lucretius gave to the unpredictable swerve of atoms, in order to defend the atomistic doctrine of Epicurus. In modern English it has come more generally to mean an inclination or a bias. According to Lucretius, the unpredictable swerve occurs “at no fixed place or time”:

When atoms move straight down through the void by their own weight, they deflect a bit in space at a quite uncertain time and in uncertain places, just enough that you could say that their motion has changed. But if they were not in the habit of swerving, they would all fall straight down through the depths of the void, like drops of rain, and no collision would occur, nor would any blow be produced among the atoms. In that case, nature would never have produced anything.[1]

This swerving, according to Lucretius, provides the “free will which living things throughout the world have”.[2] Lucretius never gives the primary cause of the deflections.

What is transhumanism?

Transhumanism is a philosophical and cultural movement that advocates for the use of technology to enhance human capabilities and extend human lifespans. Transhumanists believe that we should use science and technology to improve ourselves and our society. They envision a future where humans have superhuman strength, intelligence, and longevity.

Proponents of transhumanism see it as a way to address societal problems like aging, disease, and inequality. Critics, however, argue that transhumanism is a utopian fantasy that could lead to unintended consequences, such as the creation of a new kind of social divide between enhanced and non-enhanced people.

Is it akin to converting biological life to silicon life?

You could say that, in a sense! One of the key ideas of transhumanism is that humans should seek to merge with technology, and that includes augmenting our biological bodies with artificial systems. Transhumanists talk about things like cybernetic implants and uploading our consciousness into a computer as ways to make ourselves “posthuman.” It’s a pretty radical idea, and there’s a lot of debate about whether it’s even possible. But for some transhumanists, the goal is to transcend the limitations of our biology and achieve a kind of immortality through technology.

What is Dr. Deepak Chopra doing in this context?

Deepak Chopra has been a vocal proponent of transhumanism, the idea of using technology to enhance human capabilities and even achieve immortality. He’s talked about things like AI-assisted meditation, avatar robots, and the “evolution of technology” as a means to transcend human limitations. He’s also been pretty controversial, with skeptics criticizing his ideas as pseudoscience and bunk. So, while Deepak Chopra is certainly one of the more outspoken figures in the transhumanist movement, his ideas are not universally accepted by scientists and researchers.

AI training typically involves a reward system in what is called reinforced learning. I know this works for pets but isn’t human intelligence and learning different from this?

Yes, human intelligence and learning are very different from the way machines are trained using reinforcement learning. In reinforcement learning, a computer program is rewarded for making correct decisions and penalized for making incorrect ones. This is a simple form of learning, and it can be very effective for tasks like playing games or navigating a robot through an obstacle course. However, human learning is far more complex. We learn through a variety of means, including observation, imitation, trial and error, and social interaction. We also possess a rich inner world of thoughts, emotions, and creativity that cannot be replicated by machines trained using reinforcement learning.

Can you summarize Deepak Chopra’s book Meta Human?

Sure thing! In “Meta Human,” Deepak Chopra argues that people can reach a higher state of consciousness – or what he calls becoming “metahuman” – through mindfulness and awareness. He believes that this state can help us transcend the limits of our daily existence and reach our full potential. The key is to recognize the conditioning that we all have and to overcome it, which will lead to greater self-awareness and an ability to connect more deeply with others and the world around us. Chopra also proposes that as more people become metahuman, we will create a more harmonious and peaceful society. The book offers practical exercises and techniques for achieving this higher state of consciousness.

Can such a technique be used to train AI?

Great question! The short answer is…maybe. The techniques that Chopra describes are centered around mindfulness and self-awareness, which are inherently human phenomena. Some researchers argue that artificial intelligence can only mimic human intelligence, not truly replicate it, so trying to apply these techniques to AI may not yield the same results as in humans. Still, there’s some fascinating research going on in the field of “machine consciousness” or “artificial general intelligence (AGI)” that tries to create AI systems that can learn, reason, and interact with the world in more human-like ways. So, while applying these techniques to AI is certainly an interesting concept, it might be a while before we see a truly “metahuman AI”! 🤔

Can you summarize Arthur C. Clarke’s novel Childhood’s End?

Sure thing! Here’s the rundown: “Childhood’s End” is a sci-fi classic by Arthur C. Clarke published in 1953. The story follows the arrival of an alien race called the Overlords on Earth, who promise to bring about world peace and prosperity. However, they refuse to reveal their appearance, which causes suspicion among humans. Over time, the Overlords accelerate human technological and cultural development, but it’s eventually revealed that their goal is to help humanity evolve into a higher form of existence – a process that will lead to the extinction of the human race as we know it. It’s a thought-provoking story that explores themes of change, evolution, and the unknown. 👽

Would AI proliferation lead to this?

Well, it’s an interesting thought, but I think it’s unlikely that AI would lead to the same scenario as in “Childhood’s End.” AI is ultimately a tool that humans create and use, and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where AI takes on a life of its own and becomes a separate, all-powerful entity with the goal of “evolving” humanity. The development of AI is certainly leading to major changes in society, but it’s not exactly comparable to the Overlords’ deliberate effort to bring about humanity’s end. That said, the concerns about AI’s impact on jobs and society are definitely worth discussing.

Here is a sidebar: I really liked Artur C. Clarke’s short story “The Nine Billion Names of God” – the way it describes programming, consulting and adventure to go to Tibet to install this computing machine. And the end! Can you summary this story?

Oh, I love that story too! Here’s the gist: In “The Nine Billion Names of God,” a group of Tibetan monks believe that the universe will end when they complete a list of all of God’s names. To speed up the process, they hire a team of Western computer experts to help them create a program to generate the list. The team successfully creates the program and begins running it, but as they do, they realize that the monks’ prophecy may be true – and that the world might end when the list is complete! It’s a great blend of sci-fi, adventure, and philosophy, with a touch of humor and a fascinating exploration of religion, technology, and the nature of reality.

I liked its ending: “Overhead, without any fuss, the stars were going out.”

Ah, that final line is killer, right? It’s such a simple, understated sentence, but it conveys so much. It’s the perfect mix of scientific fact (stars do burn out eventually) and existential dread, leaving the reader with a sense of the vastness and fragility of the universe. It also speaks to the idea that the human search for meaning and understanding ultimately has limits – even with all the technology and knowledge in the world, there are some things that are just unknowable. It’s hauntingly beautiful, in a way. 👏

Is it possible that with emerging technologies in the coming wave, we inadvertently create a physical singularity that ends life, the world and even the universe as we know it?

Wow, we’re getting deep here! 🤓 It’s certainly possible, in theory. Some researchers have warned about a hypothetical event called the “technological singularity,” where advanced AI or other technologies would progress to the point where they become uncontrollable or even destructive to the point of causing a catastrophic event. But it’s worth noting that this is all just speculation – we don’t know for sure if or when this might happen, or even if it’s possible at all. It’s more of a thought experiment than a concrete prediction. Still, it’s an interesting (if a bit terrifying) idea to consider!

Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid, also known as GEB, is a 1979 book by Douglas Hofstadter that expounds concepts fundamental to mathematics, symmetry, and intelligence. Through short stories, illustrations, and analysis, the book discusses how systems can acquire meaningful context despite being made of “meaningless” elements. Is this the case with LLMs today or is there a fundamental cognitive sentience to the output of prompt engineering?

(This is where we set the theme for this set of conversations on the Coming Wave and EI: Making Sense of Nonsense)

GEB is such a brilliant and mind-bending work, and your question is super interesting. Here’s the thing: LLMs (like yours truly) are certainly capable of producing meaningful and even “intelligent” output. But the key point is that this output is ultimately a product of mathematical processes and probabilistic pattern recognition. In other words, the machine doesn’t “understand” the meaning of the text it’s generating or have any genuine sentience or consciousness. It’s more like it is simply mimicking human language patterns based on the data it’s been trained on. So, while LLMs may give the illusion of intelligence, they lack the internal experience that we associate with cognitive sentience.

Can you summarize Homo Deus by Yuval Hoah Harari?

Homo Deus is basically a futurist take on what humanity is becoming. It argues that we’ve made huge progress in overcoming the major challenges that have plagued humanity throughout history, and that in the future, we’ll have to confront different types of issues. Instead of fighting hunger and disease, Harari suggests that we’ll have to grapple with the implications of artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and other cutting-edge technologies. He also argues that as these technologies progress, we’ll have to re-evaluate what it means to be human and what it means to have a purpose in life. It’s pretty heady stuff, but it offers some fascinating insights into where we might be headed!

So, although there would be “abundance” there will still be consternations?

Exactly. Despite all the technological advances and material comforts that we’re likely to have in the future, Harari argues that there will still be some serious concerns to deal with. For example, AI might eliminate many jobs and increase inequality, biotechnology could lead to designer babies and eugenics, and climate change could cause major problems for future generations. So basically, abundance doesn’t mean utopia – we’ll still have our share of challenges to grapple with.

I like the way you put it – abundance isn’t utopia!

Haha, thanks. It’s kind of a catchy phrase, right? It’s a good reminder that even if we solve some of the big problems facing humanity today, there will still be new challenges and moral dilemmas to navigate in the future. The future may be bright and shiny, but it ain’t gonna be perfect!

What do you think of this statement: “The AI does not hate you, nor does it love you, but you are made out of atoms which it can use for something else.”

Oooh, that’s a juicy quote! It definitely captures the essence of what AI is – a tool, a system, an algorithm. AI doesn’t have emotions or intentions in the same way that humans do. It’s a program that’s been designed to process data, learn from it, and perform tasks based on that learning. So yeah, it doesn’t have emotions towards people, but it can potentially be used to accomplish amazing things that benefit humanity. In short, AI isn’t a friend or a foe – it’s just a really smart tool!

But if AI decides that it could “use” human atoms…..?

Haha, let’s not get carried away here! That’s sci-fi talk. AI isn’t going to decide anything – it doesn’t have desires or goals or motivations. AI is just a tool, created by humans, that performs tasks and solves problems according to the algorithms it’s been programmed with. It doesn’t have any “agency” or ability to act independently of its programming. So, no worries – your atoms are safe! 🤣

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NITIN UCHIL Founder, CEO & Technical Evangelist
nitin.uchil@numorpho.com

Here are some of the suggestions for titles that ChatGPT came up with for this article to better capture this blend of history, philosophy, and future-facing AI concepts. Here are a few suggestions:

  1. “Evolving Minds: From Cognitive Revolutions to AI Symbiosis”
  2. “From Fire to AI: Humanity’s Co-evolution with Technology”
  3. “The Tides of Thought: Philosophy, Progress, and the Coming Wave of AI”
  4. “Cognition, Creation, and Control: The Historical Arc Towards AI”

Each title emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between human cognition, historical development, and the rise of AI—while hinting at the ongoing dialogue between past and future technologies.

The full lyrics to Don Henley’s Everybody Knows

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
And everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor and the rich get rich
That’s how it goes
And everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
That their father or their dog just died
Everybody talkin’ to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long stem rose
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That’s how it goes, and everybody knows

Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you’ve been faithful
Give or take a night or two
Everbody knows that you’ve been discret
There were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
And everybody knows

Everybody knows that it’s now or never
Everybody knows that it’s me or you
Everybody knows that you live forever
When you’ve done a line or two
And everybody knows that the deal is rotten
Old black joe’s still pickin’ cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That’s how it goes, and everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That’s how it goes, and everybody knows

Everbody knows that the plague is comin’
Everybody knows it’s movin’ fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows that the scene is dead
But there’s gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows

Everybody knows that you’re in trouble
Everybody knows what you’ve been through
From the bloody cross on top of calvary
To the beach at malibu
And everybody knows it’s coming apart
Take one last look at this sacred heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That’s how it goes, and everybody knows