The Mob Rules, Black Sabbath

Democracy is a fascinating system of government. We elect leaders we believe will best represent our interests. Popular vote wins.

The Mob Rules.

It all works ... if people are informed, educated, committed to the process, and take this sacred right seriously. And then our elected leaders abide by our system of checks and balances.

We always must be on guard for the Tyranny of the Majority. 

The danger of the mob isn't limited to politics. Large numbers of people have historically liked very shitty things. People hop on all sorts of harmless but terrible bandwagons, carried along by inertia and groupthink.

That's about as close to Serious Thinking as I want to get on the blog right now, especially on a happy occasion (let's not argue and bicker over who killed who). After all it's Metal Friday. I'm drinking wine and life is pretty good. 

"The Mob Rules" rules, a great song from the Dio era of Black Sabbath. Great Iommi riff, awesome Geezer Butler bass work here, driving and propulsive. I've chosen to go with this live version from 2007, just so you can enjoy Dio's ear-piercing scream leading it off.

The lyrics are a reminder to be true to yourself, and your values, lest you slip into the mob. That's how I interpret "Kill the spirit and you'll be blinded," anyway.

Kill the spirit and you'll be blinded

The end is always the same

Play with fire, you burn your fingers

And lose your hold of the flame, oh

It's over, it's done

The end is begun

If you listen to fools

The mob rules