While the racially charged term was likely appropriate in the source material, it severely restricts the domain of application of the quote, especially but not exclusively when removed from context.
Yeah, I’d rather have a few more lines of context to get why that’s a rationality quote. I can take or leave the n-word; I’m assuming that particular spelling has the connotation that it is spoken between people with similar skin-melanin levels.
Obviously I went out on a limb here, but I stand by the lyric as a good rationality quote.
It succinctly and elegantly echoes one of Eliezer’s 12 virtues: relinquishment. Biggy is basically telling his audience to update their beliefs based on new evidence which he reveals throughout the song. He is systematically destroying untruth.
Also, the word “nigga” is mostly devoid of racial connotations, especially in this context. It’s much more akin to “brother”, “comrade”, “man,” “friend”, etc. -- it’s emphasizing the communal nature between the artist and his audience. He’s inviting them into his private world of truth.
I would roughly interpret it like this:
“You may not have known before, but now you do know, my friend [and that is a good thing].”
Should it be “if you didn’t know, now you know” and aesthetic concerns (ie lyrics flow better with don’t) changed it? Because I’m not sure I agree with deducing knowledge from ignorance in the general case.
Maybe, but there’s a possible further interpretation: “If you do not understand the mechanisms of what happened, you can deduce from it that you are ignorant about this area, which you would to well to keep in mind”.
-- The Notorious BIG, Juicy
While the racially charged term was likely appropriate in the source material, it severely restricts the domain of application of the quote, especially but not exclusively when removed from context.
Yeah, I’d rather have a few more lines of context to get why that’s a rationality quote. I can take or leave the n-word; I’m assuming that particular spelling has the connotation that it is spoken between people with similar skin-melanin levels.
Obviously I went out on a limb here, but I stand by the lyric as a good rationality quote.
It succinctly and elegantly echoes one of Eliezer’s 12 virtues: relinquishment. Biggy is basically telling his audience to update their beliefs based on new evidence which he reveals throughout the song. He is systematically destroying untruth.
Also, the word “nigga” is mostly devoid of racial connotations, especially in this context. It’s much more akin to “brother”, “comrade”, “man,” “friend”, etc. -- it’s emphasizing the communal nature between the artist and his audience. He’s inviting them into his private world of truth.
I would roughly interpret it like this: “You may not have known before, but now you do know, my friend [and that is a good thing].”
Should it be “if you didn’t know, now you know” and aesthetic concerns (ie lyrics flow better with don’t) changed it? Because I’m not sure I agree with deducing knowledge from ignorance in the general case.
Maybe, but there’s a possible further interpretation: “If you do not understand the mechanisms of what happened, you can deduce from it that you are ignorant about this area, which you would to well to keep in mind”.
Mashup aesthetics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et2MpcJ5LpA&feature=player_embedded#!