Happy New Year-Carlin Style

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

An observation by George Carlin:

 

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, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

 

Remember to 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 those moments that take our breath away.

 

George Carlin

 

 

And from Me....have a good 2013! :)

Edited December 31, 2012 by UK_Widowmaker

[Olham 164]

A lot of very good points, and a lot to think about and to remember for the new year.

 

Most important essence I read: the most valuable things don't cost a fortune.

Like spring days in the sunshine, or a good hug and a kiss...

Look above the clouds - there's always the sun.

 

I wish you and everyone here a good start into a better 2013.

[von Baur 54]

I always liked Carlin.

[Hasse Wind 46]

Happy New Year! Let's hope it will be a better one than 2012.

Edited December 31, 2012 by Hasse Wind

[Slartibartfast 153]

Happy New Year chaps and all that I suppose I better get the first round in... So who wants what ???

 

As to Mr Carlin he made sense in oh so many ways...

[BirdDogICT 3]

One of my favorite Carlin routines is "The Ice Box Man"

 

"Perhaps the worst thing that can happen is to reach into the refrigerator and come out with something that you cannot identify at all. You literally do not know what it is. Could be meat, could be cake. Usually, at a time like that, I'll bluff. "Honey, is this good?" "Well, what is it?" "I don't know. I've never seen anything like it. It looks like...meatcake!" "Well, smell it." (snort, sniff) "It has absolutely no smell whatsoever!" "It's good! Put it back! Somebody is saving it. It'll turn up in something."

 

So the year 2013 could be meat, could be cake...we win, either way.

[FastCargo 412]

Guys, though I agree with the sentiment...George Carlin didn't write it:

 

http://web.archive.org/web/20040930232902/http://www.georgecarlin.com/home/dontblame.html

 

One of the more embarrassing items making the internet/e-mail rounds is a sappy load of s**t called "The Paradox of Our Time." The main problem I have with it is that as true as some of the expressed sentiments may be, who really gives a s**t? Certainly not me.

 

I figured out years ago that the human species is totally f***ed and has been for a long time. I also know that the sick, media-consumer culture in America continues to make this so-called problem worse. But the trick, folks, is not to give a f***. Like me. I really don't care. I stopped worrying about all this temporal bulls**t a long time ago. It's meaningless. (See the preface of "Braindroppings.")

 

Another problem I have with "Paradox" is that the ideas are all expressed in a sort of pseudo-spiritual, New-Age-y, "Gee-whiz-can't-we-do-better-than-this" tone of voice. It's not only bad prose and poetry, it's weak philosophy. I hope I never sound like that.

 

Here is the snopes.com entry, including the original text and proper attribution (Dr. Bob Moorehead):

 

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/paradox.asp

 

Though I probably burst some bubbles, the words themselves still resonate.

 

Have a Happy New Year!

 

FC

[RAF_Louvert 101]

.

 

Here's wishing all you fine folks and your families a safe and happy New Year. Let's hope it's better than 2012.

 

 

.

[Slartibartfast 153]

Guys, though I agree with the sentiment...George Carlin didn't write it:

 

http://web.archive.o.../dontblame.html

 

 

 

Here is the snopes.com entry, including the original text and proper attribution (Dr. Bob Moorehead):

 

http://www.snopes.co...box/paradox.asp

 

Though I probably burst some bubbles, the words themselves still resonate.

 

Have a Happy New Year!

 

FC

 

Hmmm must admit didn't know that but as you said the words still resonate... Thanks for setting the record straight...

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

I didnt know either!..... I was slightly surprised that Carlin would say anything quite 'that' nice anyhow!..lol

[von Baur 54]

I didnt know either!..... I was slightly surprised that Carlin would say anything quite 'that' nice anyhow!..lol

 

That didn't surprise me, so much, Widowmaker. After all, cyncism is optimism that's had one too many disappointments. So inside any cynic there's an optimist hoping (because that's what optimists do..it is, in fact, what makes them optimists in the first place: they never give up hope completely, no matter what they tell the world) to get out. You only have to listen to the last part of his "Baseball vs. Football" routine to see that.

 

The only part that sounded un-Carlin to me was the "pray too seldom", given his very well-known view of organized religions.

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

That didn't surprise me, so much, Widowmaker. After all, cyncism is optimism that's had one too many disappointments. So inside any cynic there's an optimist hoping (because that's what optimists do..it is, in fact, what makes them optimists in the first place: they never give up hope completely, no matter what they tell the world) to get out. You only have to listen to the last part of his "Baseball vs. Football" routine to see that.

 

The only part that sounded un-Carlin to me was the "pray too seldom", given his very well-known view of organized religions.

 

Spot on synopsis (on every count Sir!)

[RogerSmith 72]

anyone heard of Louis CK? Am I the only one who hates him? It's like he's trying to be Carlin but failing miserably

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

anyone heard of Louis CK? Am I the only one who hates him? It's like he's trying to be Carlin but failing miserably

 

No, not heard the name...he must be a bit stoopid though...there was only One Carlin :)

[HumanDrone 4]

Yessir, George was unique; and though he didn't express those sentiments, it's obviously plausible that he could have. Even the prayer thing - one can be cynical or even opposed to organized religion but still have spiritual beliefs - religious organizations are made up of imperfect people, and when you group them together, "none of us is as dumb as all of us put together!" (Sheesh, come to think of it, does that ever apply to the US Congress!) Never underestimate the stupidity of people in large groups, I always say! But still they can, and have, done much good alongside the more visible screwups...

 

But Happy New Year anyway! Best to all, may the bad times be behind, and the days of WOFF and Roses ahead!

 

Tom

[von Baur 54]

Very true, Tom.

 

And it was John Adams, lawyer and member of the Continental Congress and driving force behind American independance, who said, "One useless man is a disgrace, two useless men are a law firm, and three or more are a congress."

[RogerSmith 72]

Never underestimate the stupidity of people in large groups, I always say!

 

I know right.

 

What's worse is if a group starts thinking they are the majority.