Lyrics
Finite
In a quantity of light, you can search for all of your life
but it's finite.
From a sudden burst of sound, the recoil may never be found
but it is finite (finite but incalculable).
On and on, on and on, but impervious to calculation, on and on.
It's impervious to calculation.
Woah, just how far it goes, nobody knows.
In the peaceful warm embrace, the intention shows on your face,
but it's finite.
From the hate that spurs us on, to the meek and gullible pawn,
it is finite (finite but incalculable).
On and on, on and on, but impervious to calculation, on and on.
It's impervious to calculation. Woah just how far it goes...
Where the lightning sparked a flash, when precisely did it pass?
All delusions went away, as with all the shades of gray.
Now I'm left with faulty tools and a hazy set of rules
and a brand new day.
In the turbulent conscious stream,
the unbearable lightness of being, and it's finite.
From the universal mass constant matters coming to pass,
but it's finite.
On and on, on and on, but impervious to calculation, on and on.
It's impervious to calculation.
woah, just how far it goes, nobody knows.
No one knows, woah, no one knows, no one knows.
Versions & recordings
Grouped by recording
First released on The Dissent of Man · 2010
Song Interpretations
What do you think this song is about? Share your interpretation and explain your reasoning.
Log in to add an interpretation
i am in the noob camp with the interpretation of this song (a very wonderful song it is) The song presents instances of, as kari pointed out, events or examples of things that may be 'Finite but incalculable' First line: in a quantity of light, you can search for all of your life" - I took this as a double meaning, whereas Greg is pointing out that science, too, has its limitations. Light travels at 670616629…
Read moreRead less
The song presents instances of, as kari pointed out, events or examples of things that may be 'Finite but incalculable'
First line: in a quantity of light, you can search for all of your life"
- I took this as a double meaning, whereas Greg is pointing out that science, too, has its limitations. Light travels at 670616629 mph. incalculable in our limited grasp of speed &distance, but finite. the other meaning to me had a bit of a religious undertone about searching for the meaning of life.
2nd: From a sudden burst of sound, the recoil may never be found.
I interpreted this as the sound of a bullet coming out of a gun. Incalculable to predict when you will face one, but within a finite but incalculable measurement of time.
3rd: In the peaceful warm embrace, the intention shows on your face, but it's finite.
- Love is measured as finite (finite but incalculable) here as well.
on and on, on and on, this interpretation is impervious to calculation :)
Mathematics and the sciences pride themselves on understanding the logical underpinnings of reality. As inquisitive minds, we hope to gain understanding and tackle the unknown and make it known. But the fact of the matter is that our finite lives will always limit how much we can understanding anything. Everything we do in our lives is part of a fundamental finite experience. We are finite and ephemeral. Concept…
Read moreRead less
But the fact of the matter is that our finite lives will always limit how much we can understanding anything. Everything we do in our lives is part of a fundamental finite experience. We are finite and ephemeral.
Concepts like nature and infinity are such abstract and paradoxical constructs that they can never be fully known. As the song says, they are impervious to calculations. How far can we go in our quest for knowledge? No one knows.
We are all on this journey of understanding that we call our lives, but can only experience a finite portion of it.