#isn't

Bullying gender queer/ nonconforming people is NOT okay!!

Bullying ppl because they have niche hobbies is NOT okay!!

Bullying ppl for having a different style is NOT okay!!

Bullying ppl poorer than you is NOT okay!!

Bullying disordered ppl is NOT okay!!

BULLYING IS NOT OKAY.

Imo it's an interesting song from like a moral perspective? The main character, Maxwell, lures out a lonely lady Joan for a date only to brutally kill her the moment she stops paying attention, then he kills a teacher who's trying to get him to reflect on his actions and finally a judge who's about to claim he's guilty - so Maxwell kills naivite, authority and justice with one swing of his hammer while other women (Rose and Valerie) scream about his innocence despite him proudly 'painting testimonial pictures' of his nasty crimes.

It's super interesting to me because like... How does Paul even get these ideas? Do you think there is a lesson to be learned?

I actually have post about Maxwell's Silver Hammer and possible connections to Joe Orton and "original sin".

Your point about "naivete, authority, and justice" is super interesting. And I'd love to hear more of your thoughts on that!

Have you noticed how fractured the time is? College, then school, then adulthood.

I think the whole thing is full of symbolism that Paul almost certainly avoided examining. The song came at a time when he was at the height of his powers, beloved the world over as a genius, and everything was falling to pieces around him.

Paul said it was his "analogy for when something goes wrong out of the blue" and John said (told Tony King) it was the first song they had done about "instant karma".