SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

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Uncle Al
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SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

Post by Uncle Al »

SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin
George Carlin and wife 2020-10-10.jpg
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

Uncle Al
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Ray
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Re: SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

Post by Ray »

Never heard of him, but that doesn’t matter. Sensible homily.

See also Baz Luhrmann - Sunscreen (see below).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97

Wear sunscreen

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it
A long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh, never mind
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth
Until they've faded, but trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back
At photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now
How much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked
You are not as fat as you imagine
Don't worry about the future
Or worry, but know that worrying
Is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing Bubble gum
The real troubles in your life
Are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday
Do one thing every day that scares you
Saying, don't be reckless with other people's hearts
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours

Floss

Don't waste your time on jealousy
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind
The race is long and in the end, it's only with yourself
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements

Stretch

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life
The most interesting people I know
Didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't
Get plenty of calcium
Be kind to your knees
You'll miss them when they're gone

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the 'Funky Chicken'
On your 75th wedding anniversary
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much
Or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can
Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room
Read the directions even if you don't follow them
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good
Be nice to your siblings, they're your best link to your past
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future
Understand that friends come and go
But a precious few, who should hold on
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
For as the older you get
The more you need the people you knew when you were young
Live in New York City once but leave before it makes you hard
Live in northern California once but leave before it makes you soft

Travel

Accept certain inalienable truths
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too, will get old
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders

Respect your elders

Don't expect anyone else to support you
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse
But you never know when either one might run out
Don't mess too much with your hair
Or by the time you're 40 it will look 85
Be careful whose advice you buy but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past
From the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts
And recycling it for more than it's worth
But trust me on the sunscreen
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Re: SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

Post by crfriend »

Valid points, all. Astonishingly, George Carlin managed to nail some things so close to home that he might as well have been a philosopher instead of a comedian. (There's something I need to take up with my next-door neighbours once the current insanity subsides -- if it ever does.)

On the flip: https://www.lyricsfreak.com/n/national+ ... 66831.html

Parts of that still ring true; other parts, not so much -- especially those concerning computers...
Retrocomputing -- It's not just a job, it's an adventure!
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Jim
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Re: SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

Post by Jim »

Snopes credits the Paradox piece to Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-p ... -our-time/
To me that makes it better, rather than worse.
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SkirtsDad
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Re: SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

Post by SkirtsDad »

Jim wrote: Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:40 am Snopes credits the Paradox piece to Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-p ... -our-time/
To me that makes it better, rather than worse.
Thanks for posting that Jim. It makes more sense for a pastor to write "pray too seldom" than Carlin.... I love George's comedy and that line had puzzled me given his views on religion that he voiced in sketches like this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8r-e2NDSTuE
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