Unplugging from the Electric Tomb: A Humane-Tech Interpretation of Greta Van Fleet's "Age of Machine"

Introduction: The Dystopia is Now

Greta Van Fleet’s "Age of Machine" isn’t just a hard rock anthem—it’s a chilling, poetic mirror reflecting our profound digital dependence and systemic exploitation. From the opening mechanical riff to the mournful, emotionally raw chorus, the song transports us into a world that feels bleak because it is familiar: the dystopia is not coming; it’s already here, hiding in plain sight within the glow of our screens and the static buzz of constant connectivity.

This article peels back the layers of the track, interpreting its powerful imagery through the lens of a humane-tech activist who understands the toll of being perpetually plugged in. We must look closely at technology, dependency, and the silent emotional cost of this machine age.

The Machine’s Perfect Victim

"Perfect child / Plugged in since the womb / Prophet of the dune / In this electric tomb"

These lines describe not just a person, but a perfectly optimized consumer. Technology is no longer an external tool; it is deeply embedded in our lives from birth. The "perfect child" is raised by the algorithm, monitored by the system, and placed within the "electric tomb"—a grim metaphor for how digital overstimulation and constant surveillance bury our authentic, complex human experiences. For a neurodiverse person like me, this pressure to perform a "perfect," machine-compatible identity feels particularly suffocating.

The Omnipresent Force of Big Tech

"Man has made / An omnipresent force / Heading on a course / For interstellar shores"

Here, “man” represents the architects of modern power: the corporate entities and Big Tech firms. This “omnipresent force” is the algorithm, the cloud, and the endless, all-consuming data ecosystem—constantly present, shaping our thoughts, habits, and spending. The pursuit of “interstellar shores” reflects a kind of technological escapism: building faster, more complex systems to flee the very human chaos and societal inequalities they create here on Earth. This is the definition of inhumane technology.

Malfunction and Emotional Collapse

"God machine / Malfunctioned as it grew / And the circuits blew / Falling down on you"

Every machine, regardless of how “godlike” it seems, is prone to failure. The digital world has expanded too quickly, and its structural flaws are impacting us emotionally and socially. When these systems malfunction—through outages, algorithmic bias, or organized online harassment—the consequences fall directly onto the most vulnerable users. This verse perfectly captures the feeling of burnout and emotional collapse that results from over-reliance on fragile, exploitative systems. The "circuits blew," and the user is left with the debris.

The Call for Liberation

"Now you're free / Unplug from the source / No more underscores / Open up the doors"

This is the song’s powerful call to liberation. It urges us to actively unplug from the source—to initiate a digital detox not just from the power outlet, but from the societal expectations encoded into digital life. "No more underscores" means rejecting the anonymous, artificial identities we’re forced to create online. Opening “the doors” is a directive to return to genuine human connection, self-hosted independence, and the vital work of living authentically, without a screen mediating every interaction.

The Core Pain of Exploitation

"Feeling / Oh god, the feeling / We need some healing / We need some healing / God knows if you feel defeated / You have been cheated / You have retreated"

The chorus is the emotional and ethical core. It articulates the deep sense of betrayal felt by users: “You have been cheated.” We were promised connection and efficiency, but we received exploitation and isolation. The feeling of being “defeated” and “cheated” resonates profoundly with anyone who has been exploited by platforms or institutions. The appeal for “healing” is an acknowledgment that this pain is real, not just digital.

The video’s visual metaphor of figures mining a human-like statue for resources is key: Data is the new gold, and we are the product. They mine our behaviors, our interests, and our identities not for our benefit, but for profits.

Conclusion: Refusing the Cycle

"Age of Machine" is a profound warning and a mirror. It forces us to examine our complicity and our dependency. The song’s end, which loops through its frantic instrumental, emphasizes the relentless, endless nature of the machine—the seductive feedback loop we struggle to escape.

As someone dedicated to ethical technology and personal freedom, this song demands action. It’s not just a call to contemplate; it’s a cry for resistance against the systems designed to exploit our vulnerabilities and silence our true voices. We must choose healing, self-sufficiency, and genuine connection over the electric tomb they built for us.

Revived from an original blog entry draft, first published on May 25, 2025.