"I look at it this way... For centuries now, man has done everything he can to destroy, defile, and interfere with nature: clear-cutting forests, strip-mining mountains, poisoning the atmosphere, over-fishing the oceans, polluting the rivers and lakes, destroying wetlands and aquifers... so when nature strikes back, and smacks him on the head and kicks him in the nuts, I enjoy that. I have absolutely no sympathy for human beings whatsoever. None. And no matter what kind of problem humans are facing, whether it's natural or man-made, I always hope it gets worse."
George Carlin said that in 2005. It has a lot of resonance with me. A lot of Carlin’s material does. His knack for slicing open the absurdities of human existence and American culture and mores in particular was second to none – not even his legendary pal Lenny Bruce. Everything and everybody was a target at which he had no hesitancy in taking aim, and I doubt there’s anyone who didn’t find themselves in the crosshairs, at least in a general sense, once or twice. I’m not sure it would have been nearly as effective had he not had the humility to readily confess he himself was just as guilty of many of the absurdities he so keenly dissected.
I consider myself a pretty misanthropic guy, and you’re unlikely to find anyone who knows me that would disagree. One of the more impressive things about Carlin to me was that he consistently managed to make me uncomfortable. He made the extremity of my beliefs about our culture and society look mundane in comparison.
This is what it’s all about, folks. Nothing is ever going to get better without someone throwing your inadequacies, absurdities, laziness, lack of engagement, and lack of compassion right back in your face and making you squirm. Trying is good. Carlin made you try harder.
The man is dead. He died yesterday at the age of 71. Thankfully, for once, there’s someone out there ready to have a good shot at filling the void. It’s my hope that, in time, Lewis Black might surpass Carlin as Carlin did Lenny Bruce. But there’s no question those are some pretty big giants shoulders to stand on.
George Carlin said that in 2005. It has a lot of resonance with me. A lot of Carlin’s material does. His knack for slicing open the absurdities of human existence and American culture and mores in particular was second to none – not even his legendary pal Lenny Bruce. Everything and everybody was a target at which he had no hesitancy in taking aim, and I doubt there’s anyone who didn’t find themselves in the crosshairs, at least in a general sense, once or twice. I’m not sure it would have been nearly as effective had he not had the humility to readily confess he himself was just as guilty of many of the absurdities he so keenly dissected.
I consider myself a pretty misanthropic guy, and you’re unlikely to find anyone who knows me that would disagree. One of the more impressive things about Carlin to me was that he consistently managed to make me uncomfortable. He made the extremity of my beliefs about our culture and society look mundane in comparison.
This is what it’s all about, folks. Nothing is ever going to get better without someone throwing your inadequacies, absurdities, laziness, lack of engagement, and lack of compassion right back in your face and making you squirm. Trying is good. Carlin made you try harder.
The man is dead. He died yesterday at the age of 71. Thankfully, for once, there’s someone out there ready to have a good shot at filling the void. It’s my hope that, in time, Lewis Black might surpass Carlin as Carlin did Lenny Bruce. But there’s no question those are some pretty big giants shoulders to stand on.
If it turns out there is an Invisible Man in the Sky, I’d sure be interested in finding out who wins the slugfest. I know who I’d put my money on.
5 comments:
WWGC do? This is my new motto! I am partial to the letter 'g' anyway and am not cHRISTIAN. Oh, George! Been watching HBO every night since Monday Jun 23. HBO started with his first show that "THEY" thought may not be aired in 1977. I think one station in Ohio actually aired it in 1977. I've been watching every night, so I've seen from 1977 to mid 1990's. I see GC becoming a bit more and more disgruntled, which, shows how passionate he was. I am a LANGUAGE FREAK!! My fave thing about GC IS his ability to use language as a tool and then branch off into his point, sharing and then incorporating us into his own amazement. "They tell you to get on the plane at the airport. Bullshit, motherfuckers, I'M getting IN the plane!" I always loved that one! Also, GC would then stem from there to the antiestablishmentarianism of industry in general, many times using language as a tool to prick up our ears, get us laughing and then tuned-in to his main point so he could EDUCATE us. He is akin to a snake charmer! US BEING THE SNAKES! I love him and always will! Something I did yesterday to honor GC!! I'm hoping he would pat me on the back for it...dunno
No One Likes A Thief
Yesterday, on my lunch hour I went to a nearby groceria. I am a hater of plastic grocery bags, and I would bet GC was, too. Well, I hadn't made the crunch to actually BUY the reusable ones, since I've always felt the motherfucking establishments who teased us into fucking up the environment with the "PAPER or PLASTIC?"- bags in the first place should just give the fucking things out for free. So, I figured sumthin out (maybe I'm late, and other's have already discovered this or are -too honest- to do it???) I entered the groceria, they were -fucking- SELLING the reuable grocery bags. I thought of GC; I grabbed one offa the rack and decided: Ok, fuck it, I'll just start buying the reusable bags. Well, since I had only a few thing to get, I thought it would be wise to just use the bag straight away on this shopping trip. I ripped the UPC off and put it in the bag so I could pay for it at check out. Well, if peeps are coming to the checkout lines with their re-usable bags, how the hell would they know if I just grabbed it offa the shelf for the first time or not? (Other than the pinko-commie-cameras in the place) Well, I was TOO HONEST! I didn't give them the UPC tag and I DIDN'T pay for the bag! I say I am TOO HONEST because, HONESTLY, they should be giving the motherfucking bags out for free! ... and to this cute little red head, they did! GC, I am going to get as many bags as I can this way (ONLY from the big giant corporiffica places, not small town biz owners, but because of where I live, sometimes I have no choice but to visit the big guys) and hope that others are doing the same. Spread the word and I could give a shit if you agree with my actions or not. If you are reading this blog, you must agree with the fucking point.
For GC!!
From: AK G Rae -Hugs to you, B!
Sorry, forgot to also say that Yes, I agree, Lewis Black will be the closest thing for us for now. I also happen to like Mitch Abrahm (SP?) but I have no idea what he's up to now. I can see a bit of Early Carlin in Abrahm's style. Sounds strange, but if you watch early Carlin, you'll see it, too. But, like I said, Abrahm I haven't seen for a while. Anyone know what he's up to? Anyone here even know to whom I am referring?
Ciao, AK G Rae
Agreed on all points. I've heard of Mitch Abram, but I don't follow stand up comedy very closely. Another mission for this dilettante culture warrior. Love ya AK G Rae.
WHOA! Wait... Mitch abrham is a fucking asshole journalist. I got the name totally screwed! It's Mitch HEDBERG!! He died in '05 at age 37 from a -heart attack-. I am generally not a follower of comedians, either, but knowing this will make my point that Mitch HEDBERG was a stand-out guy, not just a stand-up guy! Shit, I can't believe he's dead! I've been looking all over for him, wondering if some asshole at Comedy Central just didn't like his stuff, he was so GREAT! RIP him, too, man! Look him up. There are free jokes and tracks to listen to if you just google his name. His CORRECT name, that is! He was on the rise and touring with Lewis Black when he died.
~AK G Rae
Glad you caught that. No asshole journalists get any sympathy here. Once I emerge from this rural desolation and have some dependable access to the world farther away than 10 diametric miles I'll look up Mitch Hedberg. I'll recall all the times I waxed passionately and poetically about someone only to find out later that I had the name wrong. And the ghosts of those days will laugh and laugh. But then, you already know that, don'tcha AK G Rae?
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