This is an article I posted to alt.music.tmbg sometime over the summer of 1998, and it has been minorly edited since then. It is an interpretation of They Might Be Giants' somewhat famous song, "Particle Man".
10/10/2001: I apologize for the presentation and tone of this interpretation. The idea that Particle Man shares many elements with Flatland should be clear despite all the opinions I tossed into the mess. Maybe some day I'll go back and revise this, but for now, tread warily.
So a long time ago I came up with this interp of this catchy song. It was a dark and stormy night, after I had read E. Abbots Flatland, and I was listening to Flood, when it hit me.
The short version: Particle man is based off of E. Abbots Flatland.
The Long Version:
As I don't have the book available, I'll have to summarize to the best of my
memory.
First of all, the book is about perspectives and understanding. As I recall, the narrative opens with 2d beings observing a 1d being, which is mostly irrelevant for the remainder of the plot, except as a contrast against how the beings in the story thing. Then, a square in the 2d world is living his peaceful life, when a sphere from 3d world comes down to 2d world and takes the square up to the 3d world, where the scope of the square world is broadened. The square sees the possibilities, and asks the sphere to take him to the 4d world. The sphere of course, *KNOWS* there's no such thing as a 4th dimension, gets mad at the square, and chucks him back down to 2d.
In 2d, the square tries to explain to the other squares about the next dimension, but of course, every square *KNOWS* there's no such thing as a 3rd dimension, and so the squares ostracized their fellow square.
Sound like society in general? it should. This is a really great narrative for another view on society and it's interactions... and it even has a bit of 19th century theory on Dimensions.
Now then, on to the interp. The first thing to realize, is that two points can make a line, which is one dimensional. So, the minimum number of points required to create a two dimensional shape is 3, which makes a triangle. A square was used in Flatland, for some silly reason, but if you replace the square with triangles in the story, things begin to make more sense.... now then, the line by line.
"Particle man, particle man / Doing the things a particle can / What's he like? It's not important / Particle man / Is he a dot, or is he a speck? / When he's underwater does he get wet? / Or does the water get him instead? / Nobody knows, Particle man"
This entire first bit is about the 2d being observing the 1d being. the particle is the 1d being, who is going about it's own business and completely unaware of the higher dimension observing it. The individual bits are relatively self explanatory, and I'll save you all the effort of trying to understand my haphazard style of explaining things.
"Triangle man, Triangle man / Triangle man hates particle man / They have a fight, Triangle wins / Triangle man"
Triangle man is the everytriangle. This is not the triangle who was taken to the 3d realm, but is instead the other, mob minded triangles who don't think for themselves. He doesn't like anything that isn't him. He doesn't know about the 3d world, but he does know about 1d... and because 1d is not 2d, it is not as good, and 2d is about to stomp on 1d without incredibly much effort.
"Universe man, Universe man"
Is the sphere, the 3d being.
"Size of the entire universe man"
Consider a 3d being in a 2d world. A 3d being is composed of many 2d subworlds, basically. kind of abstract, but it makes sense to me... a universe is composed of many galaxies...a galaxy is 2d, a universe is 3d, for the sake of this interp.
"Usually kind to smaller man"
For the most part, this particular sphere didn't do anything mean to the 2d beings... he only grew angry when the triangle, who we haven't met yet, asks about the next dimension.
"He's got a watch with a minute hand, Millennium hand and an eon hand"
3 watch hands. 3 dimensional being. Groks intimately the meanings of the hands, or the dimensions, but doesn't grok anymore.
"When they meet it's a happy land / Powerful man, universe man"
When the hero triangle, who we still havenae met yet, is taken by the sphere to 3d land, the triangle understands and is overjoyed with his revelation.. and asks for the next dimension. As I've said, the sphere gets upset, and with his power, sends the triangle back down to 2d land.
"Person man, person man"
At last! Our hero triangle!
"Hit on the head with a frying pan"
This is *AFTER* the encounter with the sphere has taken place, and our poor
hero is already back in 2d land.
As far as any of his fellow triangles can tell, he musta been hit on the
head pretty hard, because he is ranting and raving about some greater
dimension than two... What an absurd idea! More than two dimensions?
hrmph.
And the other angle: Person mans revelation was like being smacked on the
head with a frying pan. suddenly seeing everything in a new light..... a
new world, with new dimensions to explore! too bad none of his friends
believe him.
"Lives his life in a garbage can"
and so his friends ostracize him. If he's gonna keep making a fool out of himself, talking about this "3rd dimension", then we're not gonna associate with him. Sounds like our society, eh?
"Is he depressed or is he a mess?"
What *IS* wrong with this guy?
Why on *EARTH* is he so adamant about his silly ideas?
"Does he feel totally worthless?"
Then he begins to question himself. Is he really insane? Did that happen? IS there really a third dimension? is he as worthless as his friends have made out? He gives in to societal pressure and stops clinging to what he knows to be true, because it hurts too much.
"Who came up with person man?"
What a poor individual! So human, and yet so poor.
"Degraded man, person man"
Person's status in flatland has been significantly reduced since his rantings. He is now basically a joke to anyone in flatland.
"Triangle man, triangle man / Triangle man hates person man / They have a fight, triangle wins / Triangle man "
And then our society returns. Our mob returns, and sees this poor whimpering soul, believing in what he knew, and beats the crap outta him.
I love this place!
Wow, that’s a really interesting interpetation! I’ll have to show this to my boyfriend. (Poor triangle. ‘n’)
Dude, that is pretty fucking brilliant. :) makes me want to go read Flatland now
This is the stupidest thing that I have possibly ever heard. I wrote particle man!!!
thats pretty good :)
who would win a fight between triangle man and universe man?
universe man would win, of course.
Dam, I preffer the interpretation of this song that plays on himura kenshin´s comedy video Particle Man!!!But seeing by your point of view I say: Dam Good!!!!
Wow, I admire your ability to apply logical thinking to such an abstract song. Plus, you found a correlation between the song and the book, although when looking at them seperately (with the untrained eye) they don’t seem to have anything in common. Perhaps They Might Be Giants wrote the song in such a way that it’s metaphors can be for anything, depending on how the listener interprets it.
I think Person man should beat them all because he is cool. haha he would own a trignle… person vs tringle… who gon win…? DOWNLOAD DBZ (i noe its gay) VIDEO ON KAZAA AND WATcH IT. PERSON MAN FUNNY
Wow. . .that’s really an impressive interpretation. Initially, after listening to the song several times, I came to the conclusion that the song was sung by a bunch of stoned, drunk people. Perhaps that still might be the case. . .but at least you’ve enlightened me to the fact that there might be some reason and logic behind the lyrics. That’s quite a brilliant interpretation. . .I believe I’ll actually read Flatland and see the connections for myself. Just one thing I’m curious about. . .
Any reason why Person Man is called Person Man? According to your reasoning, he should be called Square Man or Circle Man - the polygon that doesn’t quite fit in with the triangles.
In response to the DBZ music video for this, I thought it was quite funny. I would have made Krillin Particle Man, though - he looks the part. Then again, he makes a pretty good Person Man as well. Also, I think Fat Buu would make the perfect Universe Man. He’s the size of the universe (man), and he’s definitely a powerful creature in DBZ. And for being kind to smaller man, I’d show Buu playing with Bee, the puppy. As for the watches, well, Hercule didn’t have any watches either.
I had always heard this was a religious commentary on Christianity, with Triangle man representing Orthodox Christianity (the Trinity) and Particle man as Science. All the questions with particle man representing scientific research. Universe man representing a “real” version of God, who loves Person man and doesn’t judge him harshly. Person man lives in a messed up world full of troubles. So much so that theological questions are raised about whether or not he even has divinity. Who even created such a pathetic individual? Triangle man doesn’t even want to consider these concerns and destroys any chance of self-actualization.
The Flatland link does seem quite apt, however. I believe that, thematically, these two interpretations are not terribly different.
i hate everyone on this website, if they want to start stuff with me they can find me in my tech 2 class in summit high school. all
5d is a type of light so……who would win between a fight between light man and triganle man?
Yeah, that interpretation is pretty awesome, although it does kind of ruin the fact that I could just crack up everytime I heard the song from the lyrics, especially that DBZ music video, I loved that thing, Kuririn played a perfect Person Man.
can an1 show me a picture of the ‘man’ group?
well, you interpretation is nice and all, but in the kenshin version of this Kenshin is particle man, and his two firends(i cant remember tere names) are unierse man and person man. triangle man is this undefeted villian dude…and this song was also on tiny toons…’nuf said.
OMG… I came here looking for info on Particle Man and Discovered the name of that Book I read in the 8th grade who’s title I’ve been trying to remember FOREVER. Thank you so much… and wonder of wonders… your idear also seems highly plauseable, from the point of view of one havin read the book…. wow… 8^)
Interesting interpretation.
My interpretation is that “Triangle Man” represents the Greek letter Delta (which is a triangle), and means “change” in Chemistry. Change can effect particles and people, but the universe doesn’t mind.
But, then again, who’s to say it’s not just a silly song? =P
Yup, the interpretation from the Kenshin video is alot better. This makes no sense. Its so song for god sake stop trying to figure everything out. I am Universe Man and I own you all
I figured this song had to do with physics. There can be a lot of interpretation left for the listener. It’s funny and yet so strange….
And yes the Kenshin Video ‘particle man’ is awesome. Go Saitou! Go Sanosuke!
The DBZ music video of this song rules. your interpretation is a stretch though. it works, but i don’t think it’s exactly what they had in mind when they wrote the song. it’s just fun and abstract.
nice interpretation. take a look at the tiny toons video for particle man. this isn’t just clips of shows like the kenshin video and the ranma video. this was actually done as a music video for the song. its hilarious. take a peek on kazaa. peace.
Dane Willever and the Staples Crew of 0338
omg roflmao this song cracks me up every time hahaha *cries* TMBG ROX
________________
Fig Man pnws joo
I thought it was about religion. You know particle man somehow represents scientific reason and triangle man is religion. Father, son, holy spirit. I think TMBG believe in God, but think the Church isn’t the way to go. That’s why triangle beats up both particle and person man. I could go into more detail, but I’m in a hurry, tell me what you think
I think the most direct interpretation is that particle man refers to quantum theory, triange man refers to religion, universe man refers to relativistic theory and person man is us in our mortal existance. A student of the sciences will recognize the physics references easily. I think this is TMBG’s summary of the totality ofmans place in the universe, big and small, and they’re relation to God. Brilliant.
I’ve read Flatland and this doesn’t make sense. If you stretch anything far enough you can see a connection. In the book, triangle man and person man would be the same person (the square); he was the one who went into the first d. and made fun of the king! Why does triangle man fight with person man?
The part about Universe man was also a little weak. I see how the universe is three demensions, but you could say its really in the 4th demension of time, too. That might have something to do with the watch.
And when does universe man get mad at person man?
Dane Willever is gay!!!!
Yeah, he is gay!
yeah you guys are right, he is the gayest mother fucker on the face of the earth
So, what?! are you guys homophobic? can i get your number? only guys allowed. I’m wearing a rainbow shirt right now. do you want my address? or better yet here is my number you manly stud you :) Gay Power!!!!!
Both (all?) of the interpretations presented here are both valid and interesting. However, there are flaws in the two major interpretations (the first major interpretation being the origional up top, and the second being the one in which Particle Man is Science, Triangle is the Church, Universe is God, and Person is humanity).
The suggested allusion to Flatland is very interesting, and somewhat eye-opening. However, TMBG could have made it more obvious that this was the message, assuming that it relally was the message. For one, Universe man could have been named, perhaps, Spherical man, and Person man named Quadrangle man. Both of these names would fit perfectly into the rythem of the song (in fact, Quadrangle would fit better). The only reason I can think of not to replace Person Man’s name would be, perhaps, because TMBG is trying to metaphorically compare humanity to Mr. Square, but that is a little obscrue anyway.
The second interpretation is also very good. The only problem occurs at the end of the song. In the end, Triangle Man has beaten both Person and Particle Man. If TMBG disagrees with the apparent confrontationality of “orthidox christianity” (*ahem*catholic*ahem*greek-orthidox*ahem*), why would they portray the Church winning? If anything, Triangle man should have confronted, and subsequently have his ass handed to him by, Universe Man. However, that would have made for a lot longer and more complex song.
Sorry for those who tried to squeeze sensibility out of this ranting. There is no blood in this turnip.
dude, its just a freaking hilarious song. it could just be that they were trying to have some fun. we ding it on the dhairlift to scare old ladies and little kids. fun shyte.
it’s just a random song, stop interpretting and listen to it while eating junk-food, that’s what i did(172 times(and i got the song three day’s ago}
The video to this is the best its hilarious
You are amazing. This connection changes my life.
I’ll never listen to the song the same way again…
I think it’s all just a government conspiracy!
Ok. this is my interpretation of Particle Man.
I think it’s the story of this guy Particle Man. He’s a particle ‘cos he’s not a square or circle or triangle.. maybe he has no friends or something? I don’t know the details. Anyway… he ALWAYS loses in fights with Triangle Man. Which totally sucks ass. Anyway to avoid this situation he goes through a change and becomes Universe Man. Which is a silly thing to do but it seems like a good idea to Particle Man ‘cos he has no friends anyway and it beats losing to Triangle Man all the time. Anyway… he’s the size of the entire universe? That could either mean he’s encompassing all shapes and trying to be everyone’s friend, or maybe he’s just really big? nah.. I think it’s the first thing. He’s powerful alright and he’s kinda good ‘cos he steals from the rich and gives to the poor - he helps out those smaller than he is. OK he’s doing well and kicking butt. No need to fear Triangle Men anymore. BUT.. he gets hit on the head with a frying pan. Probably some of his ‘friends’ do it to him. That’s where the shit really hits the fan, ‘cos he has no choice but to turn into Person Man. Now Person man is a total loser, living off the scraps no-one else wants. And he ALWAYS loses to Triangle man. Poor guy. I wonder what happens to him after that? Don’t know.. I only understand this much. Ok that’s my interpretation. If you want more, feel free to email me.
Hey good interptation; I’m seeing the song in a whole new light.
But to whoever said “Hercule”, wtf!? It’s MR. SATAN, just as “Tein” should be TENSHINHAN (or Ten for short). Don’t watch CRAPimation, they suck. They totally screwed DBZ over. Go buy some fansubs, download ‘em off Kazaa, whatever, but the subs have all the orginal swearing, blood, comedy, and plot. And GOOD music and voice acting.
Triangle man is change. (in science equations the triangle is used to symbolize change.) particle man represents quantum (sub-atomic) particles. universe man is, go figure, the entire universe. person man is us, poor us, stuck in the middle. triangle man defeats both particle man and person man because that’s what change does. the universe is simply the sum composite of all these changes taking place — which renders irrelevant the question of who would win between triangle man and universe man.
The people who come here tleling the others to stop interpreting the song need to shut the fuck up. Like interpreting ‘Particle Man’ is gonna hurt anyone. Dumbfucks.