Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: groove
Song Meaning of “Difference Engine” by Fear Factory
This song is about the fear of becoming obsolete and insignificant. It focuses on the idea that as technology advances, our humanity is confounded and we as individuals are reduced to nothing more than a series of calculations. We are “nothing more than a difference engine” – a mechanical device used for mathematical calculations. The lyrics portray a bleak future in which machines have perfected logic and calculation, but humans remain hollow and unfulfilled. The chorus serves as a warning to not become so dependent on technology, lest we forget how to use our own minds. It serves as a reminder to remember to be human even when machines are in control, understanding our differences and using them to find meaning and purpose in life.