El Onanista de La Caja de Sorpresas

Tam Tam Go's song "El Onanista de La Caja de Sorpresas" offers a satirical and critical look at modern society's obsession with digital media and the isolating effects it can have on individuals. The protagonist of the song is described as a man who is infatuated with a 'box,' which metaphorically represents a television or computer screen. From his small peephole, he observes the world but remains detached and uninterested in the events unfolding before him. This detachment is highlighted by the line, 'Lo devora todo, pero nada le interesa,' which translates to 'He devours everything, but nothing interests him.' The term 'onanista' (onanist) further emphasizes the self-indulgent and solitary nature of his actions.

The song uses vivid imagery and metaphors to illustrate the protagonist's disconnection from reality. For instance, he watches children in Denver celebrating with gunfire and a madman in the Balkans dreaming of glory through violence. These scenes are stark contrasts to the mundane and passive act of watching TV, underscoring the absurdity and danger of becoming too absorbed in a digital world. The repeated refrain, 'Que de tanto mirar te llamarán el mirón,' meaning 'From so much watching, they will call you the voyeur,' serves as a warning about the consequences of excessive screen time. The protagonist's mental faculties are deteriorating, as suggested by the line, 'Se te va la neurona que te queda,' or 'You lose the neuron you have left.'

The song culminates in a moment of existential crisis when the protagonist faces judgment day but is unable to choose a program to watch, symbolizing his ultimate disconnection from meaningful experiences. The line, 'Yo programo el vídeo por si acaso no me muero,' or 'I program the video just in case I don't die,' reflects his inability to engage with the real world even in the face of mortality. Tam Tam Go uses this narrative to critique the superficiality and escapism facilitated by modern technology, urging listeners to cherish their mental faculties and engage with life beyond the screen.