George Carlin. Gone.

[elfs]

I can't begin to explain how sad it is that Carlin is gone. The man was a genius who, with Robin Williams (who, sadly, did not retain his genius quite so much when the cocaine stopped flowing), were the formative comedic influences of my childhood. What can you say about the man who thought:

• If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little.
• Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.
• If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted?
• Well, if crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight? They never mention that part to us, do they?
• I don't have hobbies; hobbies cost money. Interests are quite free.
• Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.
• If we could just find out who's in charge, we could kill him.
• The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
• If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten.

And finally:

It's never just a game when you're winning.

Life was never just a game to George Carlin. I don't know what we're going to do without him.

Comments

He was a great comedian

[ideaphile.livejournal.com]

I never liked his jokes that relied on misinterpreting word definitions-- that's just cheap crap. Fire fighters fight against fire, freedom fighters fight for freedom. So what?

But Carlin was also an expert observer of the human condition, and his better routines pointed out genuine problems with politics and religion, as well as less profound topics like driving-- I am still constantly mindful of the difference between idiots and maniacs, and constantly strive to avoid being mistaken for the former. :-)

That's what I'll remember about him.

. png