George Carlin
Well, Georgie is stuck on the roof now — the comedian, wordsmith, and all-around force-to-be-reckoned-with died on a Sunday of heart failure. He was just 71.
George Carlin, from an early age, recognized both the importance of words and the freedom to use them. George knew that when you start to take words away from people — when you begin to label them, arbitrarily, as “bad” — then you start to take away their freedom.
George Carlin has remained a hilarious, but poignant, champion of freedom of speech through his entire career. More than that, he has reminded us of why we care so much about storytelling — his carefully crafted comic capers were as glorious as any part of America’s rich and storied oral tradition. He spoke to the audience like they were his friends, and they were in many ways.
He said,
The paradox of our time in history is that
We have taller buildings
but shorter tempers,
wider Freeways ,
but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more,
but have less,
we buy more,
but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses
and smaller families,
more conveniences,
but less time.
We have more degrees
but less sense,
more knowledge,
but less judgment,
more experts,
yet more problems,
more medicine,
but less wellness.
We drink too much,
smoke too much,
spend too recklessly,
laugh too little,
drive too fast,
get too angry,
stay up too late,
get up too tired,
read too little,
watch TV too much,
and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions,
but reduced our values.
We talk too much,
love too seldom,
and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living,
but not a life.
We've added years to life
not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
***********************
We conquered outer space
but not inner space.
We've done larger things,
but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom,
but not our prejudice.
We write more,
but learn less.
We plan more,
but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush,
but not to wait.
We build more computers
to hold more information,
to produce more copies than ever,
but we communicate less
and less.
These are the times of fast foods
and slow digestion,
big men
and small character,
steep profits
and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes
but more divorce,
fancier houses,
but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips,
disposable diapers,
throwaway morality,
one night stands,
overweight bodies,
and pills that do everything from cheer,
to quiet,
to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window
and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
A time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember;
spend some time with your loved ones,
because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember,
say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,
because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember,
to give a warm hug to the one next to you,
because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart
and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember,to say,
'I love you'
to your partner and your loved ones,
but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace
will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember
to hold hands
and cherish the moment
for someday
that person will not be there again.
Give time to love,
give time to speak!
And give time to share
the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life
is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.
George Carlin
