Friday, June 27, 2008

In Celebration: George Carlin 1937-2008 - Beliefnet Forums

In Celebration: George Carlin 1937-2008 - Beliefnet Forums: "By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth,” read a message on Mr. Carlin’s Web site, GeorgeCarlin.com, and he spent much of his life in a fervent effort to counteract the forces that would have it so. In his always irreverent, often furious social commentary, in his observations of the absurdities of everyday life and language, and in groundbreaking routines like the profane “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” he took aim at what he thought of as the palliating and obfuscating agents of American life — politicians, advertisements, religion, the media and conventional thinking of all stripes."

1 comment:

J'Carlin said...

George Carlin and I think too much alike for me to really enjoy his humor. He will say something, the audience cracks up, and my first reaction is "What is so damned funny. That is just the way it is."

I certainly enjoy all of his routines, but I think of him as a philosopher rather than a comedian.
I suspect that sooner or later historians will come around to my view. He was a brilliant observer of his society, and in my view made a huge difference in directing his society to a more tolerant and humane worldview. My debt to him is immense, I think society will recognize it as well.