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pjeby comments on Rationality Quotes: March 2011 - Less Wrong
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Er, that context doesn't sound like "I'm a puppet of the system" to me at all. It sounds more like, "don't be mad at me because I'm successful and you're not ("Actin' like a brother done did somethin' wrong cause he got his game tight"); if you have to be mad at something, be mad at the rules which elevate some and lower others ("some come up and some get done up"), by requiring us to risk much to gain great rewards ("If you out for mega cheddar, you got to go high risk"). Otherwise, work on improving your own performance ("tighten your aim"), rather than envying my success ("act like you don't see me / You wanna be me")."
Given that most of the song is bragging about his past actions and willingness to take more such actions in the future, it certainly doesn't sound like a declaration of helplessness. Heck, for a rap song, it's practically self-improvement advice. ;-)
I would say that the quote isn't about "I'm a puppet of the system" but more a critique of a particular incentive system, and there's validity to this. If a certain activity is incentivized, then it shouldn't be surprising to expect that someone would eventually engage in that activity. Perverse incentive systems produce truly horrendous results.
Also, up vote for analyzing rap music :)
The scenario I imagined was a wealthy drug dealer justifying his profession. But I'll agree the lyrics allow more benign applications.