Spread It - Baba Brinkman

When your brain absorbs information its kinda picky

So what makes a piece of information sticky?

Sticky-icky Sticky-icky-icky-icky

Repetition helps a little bit, definitely

Plus ideas spread when they’re counterintuitive

But minimally, ‘cause you don’t wanna ruin it

It’s not gonna get caught in your brain if it’s mundane

Just think about what they say in church on Sunday

A virgin gives birth, your sins are forgiven

A horse with wings carries a rider into heaven

A jealous god demands a human sacrifice

Water into wine, the dead coming back to life

Standard categories minimally violated

One step away from profane is the sacred

That’s why a rapper tells you he’s millionaire

With twenty mistresses,

but not a trillionaire

With twenty thousand —

see, it’s gotta be plausible

We instinctively reject whatever’s blatantly impossible

And if you want to spread ideas like a virus

Add a little dash of spice, sex and violence

Spread it,

spread it spread it spread it

If it gets big enough you get credit

Spread it,

post it on reddit

Spread it!

Or else let it die and forget it

Spread it,

spread it spread it spread it

If it gets big enough you get credit

Spread it,

post it on reddit

Spread it!

Or else let it die and forget it

Some ideas catch on ‘cause they’re adaptive

Others spread ‘cause the source is high status

A concept endorsed by somebody prestigious

Has a greater chance that other people will believe it

Justin Bieber get young girls into Jesus

And I tend to believe whatever Jay-Z says

Another factor is popular endorsement

When in Rome,

do what the Romans do with their horses

And plus,

people follow trustworthiness

But how can you tell if someone’s just a dirty snitch?

We follow people who can prove their commitment

To their belief system with costly investment

Actions speak louder than words,

can ya feel me?

If not, maybe I’ll get it tattooed on my belly

Religions are the same,

they demand demonstrations

Of faith,

such a costly waste

Bodily mutilations and food taboos

You can use those cues to deduce the truth

And finally, well, it’s a controversial issue

But some ideas spread ‘cause they’re actually beneficial

Spread it,

spread it spread it spread it

If it gets big enough you get credit

Spread it,

post it on reddit

Spread it!

Or else let it die and forget it