Anticipatory Compliance

1 week ago by @daveescoffery

Liner Notes

When the company that I work for scrubbed all reference to DEI from their website a couple weeks ago, it made me angry and depressed. Just because there is an executive order (that has already been challenged in court) doesn't mean anything. Why violate your organization's own mission statement when it is just a threat, not even an actual law yet. It got me thinking about the evils of anticipatory compliance, and that's where this song came from.

At some point, I want to do this with the DAW so I can get a real crunchy punk sound and some kicking drums, but for now I hope the acoustic demo gives you a sense of what this might be.

#protest #folkpunk #acousticonetake

Lyrics

Verse 1
A flood of Executive Orders that are unconstitutional,
Designed to make you feel overwhelmed and despair.
You don't know which are serious and which are just meant for show,
And which the courts will toss out on their ear.
So how do you know just what to do
When you don't know if anyone'll protect you? Oh yeah.

Chorus
This is how they get you. They play upon your fear
To convince you to obey in advance.
Don't give away your power, not without a fight.
Don't do what you're told at first glance.

Verse 2
It's a tactic that we've seen before from authoritarian regimes.
You don't even need to pass laws to get your way.
If folks start doing what you want cuz they aren't sure or they're afraid,
You can have no legal right, but still win the day.
They're counting on you to obey
Cuz you're afraid of what they'll do or say. Oh yeah.

Chorus
This is how they get you. They play upon your fear
To convince you to obey in advance.
Don't give away your power, not without a fight.
Don't do what you're told at first glance.

Bridge (spoken)
"Anticipatory compliance" - it's a fance way of saying that people are willing to give up their rights and their power before they are legally compelled to do so because they fear potential repercussions. It's a handy tool for the dictator wanna-be, especially in a country still pretending to be a democracy. So, if you have the guts, say it with me: Don't obey in advance!

Chorus
This is how they get you. They play upon your fear
To convince you to obey in advance.
Don't give away your power, not without a fight.
Don't do what you're told at first glance.
You'll wanna go back, but you may not have the chance!

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