The Legacy of Daft Punk

In a poignant moment that resonates deeply, the iconic French electronic duo Daft Punk announced their disbandment after 28 remarkable years. This piece serves as a tribute to their profound influence on my life and the world of music.

Their farewell is laden with symbolism. Formed in Paris in 1993 by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, Daft Punk always shunned the spotlight, donning their famous helmets. In an era where technology dominates and masks have become the norm, their message feels particularly relevant.

On February 22, 2021, they revealed their split through an 8-minute video titled “Epilogue” on their YouTube channel, which features a scene from their 2006 film, Electroma. This farewell, conveyed through a mix of music and visuals, concludes with the haunting lyrics from their song “Touch.” In times when physical connection feels almost taboo, they remind us, “if love is the answer, you’re home.”

As the remaining member walks into the sunset, the screen displays the years 1993 to 2021. Within this timeframe, Daft Punk has left an indelible mark on multiple generations, releasing four acclaimed albums and securing six Grammy Awards. Thomas Bangalter once shared with Time, “In some ways it’s like we’re running on a highway going the opposite direction to everybody else. Computers were never designed in the first place to become musical instruments.”

Your music, dear Daft Punk, has brought joy and awareness to countless listeners. Recently, my son watched Tron: Legacy, where he recognized your signature sound. It was a delightful connection we shared, highlighting the legacy you've crafted.

In conclusion, the song “Technologic” from their 2005 album Human After All features an electronically altered voice reciting commands associated with technology. Phrases like “Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it, drag it, drop it, zip, unzip it” are rhythmically delivered, with the word “it” appearing 350 times.

What does it represent? Is it the music, the software, the content on the web, or technology itself? Each phrase mirrors contemporary technological usage, while the repetitive beats echo our daily routines, underscoring the somber image of a sad, distorted robot in the video.

Listening to Daft Punk raises critical questions: Are we morphing into those robots, confined to our screens and homes? Are we sufficiently valuing human interaction and the future of our society? When engaging with platforms like Facebook, Medium, Instagram, and Snapchat, do we act ethically?

As we consider how we will employ technology — for positive or negative ends — the duo, always masked, reminds us of our responsibilities. In late 2020, they posted a meme on their Facebook page urging, “Celebrate the holidays face to face.” Technology holds no value without human intention. Let us strive to remain human, masks or not.

Thank you for reading my reflections. I’m Antonija Osojnik, a lawyer from Croatia residing in Germany and co-owner of Whizzk. I write about what matters to me most — sustaining life on our only planet.

More: www.whizzk.com

© Antonija Osojnik, 2021

Antonija Osojnik

All rights reserved