left behind. The song continues:He's not concerned with yesterdayHe knows constant change is here todayHe's a new world man.In addition to songwriter Neil Peart's ideas of anonymity within the big city he also makes an effort to define the type of person who might make of the population of the city. For a city such as Toronto, Peart seems to feel that the population must be mainly built of people who are able to accept the progress of technology willingly. He believes that it is these advancements that allow for such a progress, any progress, to occur in the first place. He knows that within the large city "constant change" is looked upon favorably as it is the large city that keeps the country in the game on a universal level. Even though the large technology-based city might lose something as far as nature is concerned- replacing trees with buildings and lakes with parking lots- it still holds an extremely important position as far as progress is concerned. And although the people within that city may have to suffer from the strains of anonymity, they can still take at least some solace knowing that they are working for the progress of the country- even though such a lifestyle may, at times, be somewhat lonely and autonomous. Cast in this unlikely roleIll-equipped to actWith insufficient tactOne must put up barriersTo keep oneself intact.Here the songwriter exhibits his understanding of the autonomous and individualistic lifestyle of the large city. He believes that you almost have to be alone to succeed or survive within that environment. Or, if not alone, you should at least protect yourself by putting up "barriers" to keep yourself together.But even though Neil Peart understood the way one must be prepared to live in a major city, he was also fully aware of the effects such a life could have on the individual. He understands that no matter how accustomed you are to a certain lifestyle it can still have negative side effe...
