A Brief History of the Future

"A Brief History of the Future", also stylized as "A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FUTURE" is the first track on Starset's third album, Divisions. It serves as the intro to the album, much alike "The Order" on Vessels and "First Light" on Transmissions.

Background
The lyrics in the song are narrated by the band's singer Dustin Bates. It provides a summary of what has happened to humanity between now and 2049, which is when the events of Divisions take place. In this world, NEW WEST'S Brain Machine Interface, also known as BMI, has captivated the world and many people and bought into it. The BMI can download your memories and, in turn, make a personalized world for you to relive your memories. The addictive quality of the BMI is much more powerful than nicotine.

However, others who did not buy into the BMI have a different opinion on it; it's a trap, a prison, a cell. Anyone infatuated with the BMI has lost their ability to think for themselves in the real world. The narrator comes to the realization that the real world offers much more than the BMI, and embarks on a journey to discover the truth about the NEW WEST.

Lyrics
This place is a desert for the mind Devoid of emotion and barren of thought No real thought, at least It's no surprise Most minds here have long since atrophied from lack of use They wait in flatline for the next rushing jolt of synthetic stimulation The real world can't compare, even if it were allowed to Contemplating the real world leads to seeing the world for what it is: a prison A cell for the mind, body and soul All my life I've been a prisoner Cowering at the idea that I might be capable of unique thought Terrified of what my own instincts might lead to So how could I blame them? But it hasn't always been this way I've heard rumours Filtered, distant, faded I seek to know the truth