I just noticed something during The Great Debate...

[Basekick]

In the beginning of the song, JLB sings the following lyrics:

What if someone said
Promise lies ahead
Hopes are high in certain scientific circles
Life won't have to end
You could walk again

What if someone said
Problems lie ahead
They've uncovered something highly controversial
The right to life is strong
Can't you see it's wrong

The first paragraph is projected in the left speaker, while the latter in heard in the right speaker.  What is remarkable about this that the first paragraph is the liberal side of the issue (or, the LEFT wing), while the second paragraph is the conservative view (known as the RIGHT wing).  When I realized this, I literally did a "you have got to be kidding me" and started to laugh.

Anyone else pick up on this, or have I just not listened to TGD enough?

[73109]

That is cool.

[OperantChamber]

Amazing how after having heard the song so many times there is still stuff I miss.
Dream Theater >>>

[GuineaPig]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

[Rafael Guerra]

I heard that somewhere a long time ago, I was also pretty amazed!
But to tell you the truth I didn´t like the split, because for a long time my earphones were broken and I couldn´t hear the left channel, so everytime i heard the song it was like..."What if someone said....(instrumental)....Turrrrn to the llliggghttt...

[Ultimetalhead]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

[LTE]

Yeah i noticed that a while ago too. Suffice to say, I had never noticed it before, and when I did I happened to be... under the influence.

 

[Marvellous G]

Yeah, this is one of the little touches that make DT my favourite band.

[reneranucci]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

[veronica]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

...and I'm Norwegian! It's exiting finding these things for the first time, though

[skydivingninja]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

Don't worry, you're new, you'll learn.

[axeman90210]

I had never noticed this, but then again I don't listen to TGD all that often.

[juice]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

[yeshaberto]

it seems like I had heard that before, but I forgot...so now I get to learn it all over again 

[glaurung]

I never noticed this either. That is really cool

[wolfking]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

I too though this.  During interviews Portnoy made it quite clear that they were using the speakers to produce a 'debate' between the two parties.

[hefdaddy42]

I had never noticed this, but then again I don't listen to TGD all that often.

A sign of your great insight and wisdom.

[ZKX-2099]

I had never noticed this, but then again I don't listen to TGD all that often.

A sign of your great insight and wisdom.

Sarcasm or bad taste?

[GuineaPig]

In my view, it's not that TGD is a bad song, it's just so mediocre and long that it's not worth listening to for the really good parts.  I think it would be a lot better if it was cut down by like 4 minutes or so.

[Ben_Jamin]

The most underrated song in Dt's catalog. I noticed this right away and it pretty much makes it. especially how it ends without a conclusion it ends where we began. We went only so far but are still where we started

[rumborak]

To me, the song was the first time where they failed really hard in the lyrical department. "Pay attention to the questions we have raised!!"
Musically the song is actually quite good.

rumborak

[Progmetty]

Amazing how after having heard the song so many times there is still stuff I miss.
Dream Theater >>>

[hefdaddy42]

Musically the song is actually quite Tool.

I agree.

[Phantasmatron]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

[Marvellous G]

Musically the song is actually quite Tool.

I agree.

While I can sort of see the Tool comparison, the fact that the last half is basically a huge solo section lessens the similarity for me.

[hefdaddy42]

Musically the song is actually quite Tool.

I agree.

While I can sort of see the Tool comparison, the fact that the last half is basically a huge solo section lessens the similarity for me.

Yeah, I guess so.  I never make it that far in the song.

[KevShmev]

In my view, it's not that TGD is a bad song, it's just so mediocre and long that it's not worth listening to for the really good parts.  I think it would be a lot better if it was cut down by like 4 minutes or so.

I wouldn't call it mediocre, but it definitely has that feel of being a bit too long.  The best parts of the song are the intro and the outros, neither of which I feel are too long.  I just wish the meat of the song was a bit more interesting; I probably wouldn't mind the length, then.  If I am listening to all of 6DOIT Disc 1, I usually don't skip over this song, but if I am randomly picking DT songs to listen to, I will almost never pick it.

[Zook]

Great song, although the intro and outro samples sometimes piss me off, but that's what my 9:29 edit is for. I love the instrumental section.

[Setlist Scotty]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

[Plasmastrike]

In my view, it's not that TGD is a bad song, it's just so mediocre and long that it's not worth listening to for the really good parts.  I think it would be a lot better if it was cut down by like 4 minutes or so.

I wouldn't call it mediocre, but it definitely has that feel of being a bit too long.  The best parts of the song are the intro and the outros, neither of which I feel are too long.  I just wish the meat of the song was a bit more interesting; I probably wouldn't mind the length, then.  If I am listening to all of 6DOIT Disc 1, I usually don't skip over this song, but if I am randomly picking DT songs to listen to, I will almost never pick it.

That ^

[setrataeso]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

This

And The Great Debate is amazing in every damn way. Period.

[Dimitrius]

I thought this was common knowledge 

The samples work the same way too.

[ZKX-2099]

Mikes drumming in the intro sells me on the song alone. But the rest of it is awesome as well.

[Orbert]

I like the concept they're going for with "The Great Debate", and as a total work, a performance piece, it does well.  The soundbites set the tone and everything fits well.

The problem I have is that I can't listen to the soundbites over and over like I can with the music.  I hate it when people talk over the music; I just want to skip them and get to the song, and since I can't do that, I usually just skip the song.

[Samsara]

In the beginning of the song, JLB sings the following lyrics:

What if someone said
Promise lies ahead
Hopes are high in certain scientific circles
Life won't have to end
You could walk again

What if someone said
Problems lie ahead
They've uncovered something highly controversial
The right to life is strong
Can't you see it's wrong

The first paragraph is projected in the left speaker, while the latter in heard in the right speaker.  What is remarkable about this that the first paragraph is the liberal side of the issue (or, the LEFT wing), while the second paragraph is the conservative view (known as the RIGHT wing).  When I realized this, I literally did a "you have got to be kidding me" and started to laugh.

Anyone else pick up on this, or have I just not listened to TGD enough?

Yep. One of my favorite post-FII songs from them, that little speaker channeling thing really is cool, gives the song an additional dramatic touch with the differing points of view.