Looks like a few things were left out of the summary; the vision the guitar man saw involved seeing the “elder race” going out to the stars and “learn(ing) and grow(ing)” rather than self-destructing as the priests claimed, and then returning to their home planet and overthrowing the priests.
Also, “syrinx” is the name for a bird’s vocal cords, although in the album’s context it might be the name of the Greek nymph and the reeds that Pan made his pipes out of.
Yeah...really not a good analysis IMO. Neil explained that the record company told them what to do, (make short, radio worthy hit songs) and he philosophically refused as that was not the band they were, esp. after Caress of Steel. They were realistic and were prepared to quit and return to working straight jobs, as 2112 didn’t get much airplay (go figure). I remember that by ‘81, I saw them open their concert with Overture in Philly and 20,000 plus people (me, esp.) were blown away, and Hemispheres and Farewell to Kings fell into place after that time they got exposure into major U.S. markets. It is the perfect parable for fads that come and go quickly but the best withstand the test of time, but I bear witness the Rush was one of the best and “ticks all the boxes” in each category of musicianship, particularly originality and ground breaking artistry. To me, King Crimson, even in all of its forms is the only band to come close as Fripp is the godfather of prog rock!