George Carlin, 1937-2008
“If Only We Were Human,” by George Carlin.
This species is a dear, hateful, sweet, barbaric, tender, vile, intelligent, confused, virtuous, evil, thoughtful, perverted, generous, greedy species. In short, great entertainment.
Humans are the only species that systematically tortures and murders its own for pleasure and personal gain. In fact, we’re the only species that systematically tortures and murders its own, period.
We are serial killers. All our poems and symphonies and oils on canvas will never change that. Man’s noble aspect is the aberration.
Those who argue that art and philosophy are proof of human worth neglect to mention that, in the scheme we have devised, artists and philosophers are completely powerless and largely without prestige. Art, music and philosophy are merely poignant examples of what we might have been had not the priests and the traders gotten hold of us.
Most animals, when fighting one of their own, will show aggressive behavior, but very little hostility or intention to harm. And when the outcome of the struggle is inevitable, the losing animal will signal its defeat by exposing its most vulnerable part to the victor, affording the opportunity to finish the kill. The victor then walks away without inflicting further harm.
These are the creatures we feel superior to.
***
Wise in his cynicism, proudly profane and admittedly drug-addled, Carlin lived his life as proof positive that heroes come in all shapes and sizes… even when they don’t mean to.
So hail and farewell to this accidental hero; one that served as a mirror unfiltered; making us both wiser and happier for the rare view.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 9:28 am
“Wise in his cynicism, proudly profane and admittedly drug-addled, Carlin lived his life as proof positive that heroes come in all shapes and sizes… even when they don’t mean to.”
Are you kidding me? You think Carlin was a hero?? WOW!! To correctly identify him as a profane drug addict and then call him a hero in te same sentence is simply amazing to me. So because the guy was funny and famous that gives him a free pass on being part of society’s decay? Nice viewpoint Mr. Drotar.
Let me refocus here… and how exactly does this article fit into a website that is an “… alternative to mainstream gaming sites” whose basis is to discuss the opinion that “… modern gaming is a sophisticated and vibrant experience”. This Carlin post was way off topic and offensive to say the least. I think I just found a good reason not to spend anymore time at this site. Good luck guys.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
If you were already looking for “a good reason to not spend anymore time at this site,” it probably wasn’t for you in the first place, anyway. I’m sorry that you didn’t find what you were looking for here, but it’s a big Internet and I’m sure there’s a soft place for you to land somewhere with the anonymity that you apparently find necessary to espouse your views.
Wisdom doesn’t always come from men in robes; knowledge doesn’t always come from the places you expect. An unimagined multitude of human invention and understanding has been stumbled upon by pure serendipity… luck.
That doesn’t make any of it one iota less valuable.
While Carlin was certainly a flawed man (though last I checked, our current President had drinking and cocaine addictions and the one before that smoked marijuana), he wasn’t the only one.
By walking the path he walked, he - quite by accident - stumbled upon clarity, and then used his odd fame and unquestionable talent to spend the rest of his life pointing out the silliness and inherent flaws in the way our society functions - or does not function - because of them.
As far as being “part of society’s decay”… to note that one has cancer is not the same as putting it there.
Carlin’s path was not for me and will never be, but I’m open-minded enough to notice wisdom when it avails itself, and realize that it can be separated from its source to a certain extent.
In fact, that is what I try to do at 5WG - look deeper; past the media hype, past the flash and the innumerable advertisements to find the heart of the discussion.
The art; or as Carlin put it in the piece I reprinted, the aberration. This what drove me to create this site and to write here… the art, the truth.
If finding that truth - borne by knowledge and wisdom - in unconventional places is beyond your comfort level, then I feel sorry for you. But I know you can take comfort in the fact that you’re not even remotely alone.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Shawn - You obviously feel pretty strongly about Carlin for you to respond with such a long post. Aside from the whole “I’m leaving and not coming back” banter from that guy, I do see what he is saying. You obviously have respect for Carlin and have just clarified why; however, I think the reason that guy had a problem with your post is because you labeled him a hero. I, personally, don’t think Carlin was any sort of hero. Funny guy - yea, but nothing that even closely resembles a role model, much less a hero. What made me laugh out loud was that you indirectly called Bush a hero too… that is a joke. Outside of his own family (Bush’s), go around your city and ask people if they think Dubya is a hero. You’ll probably get hit.
You’re probably right about the guy looking for a reason to stop coming here… but your message put Carlin on a pedestal and that guy (god bless his soul) was nobody I would want to anyone I know to take after. It was an odd post for a gaming site. Did George play Madden? I dunno - Cheers!
on June 23rd, 2008 at 5:23 pm
To each their own. I seek wisdom, knowledge and truth and admire those who brave the naysayers to bring it to me. It’s just that simple.
I’ve never used drugs in my life - not once - and I clearly wasn’t endorsing Carlin’s lifestyle.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone drop out of elementary school, either, but it worked out OK for Einstein.
The argument I made - and the only one - is that wisdom itself is valuable; who you received it from matters little.
***
As far as indirectly calling George W. Bush (and Bill Clinton) a hero, I did nothing of the sort, nor would I. I merely pointed out how our society certainly accepts - and can even grant extraordinary power to, in their cases - people who have far more power and influence than a stand-up comic; one would think this is far more dangerous and should raise more ire than a simple two-sentence eulogy would.
As to whether this is an “inappropriate” post, I disagree entirely and note than in other non-gaming posts I’ve made, there were no such responses. Carlin’s offbeat humor and peculiar sophistry have become a staple of comedy since the 1960s. We use humor here, as do many gaming sites, and some of the commentary therein can trace its lineage from Carlin’s work. That’s a simple fact.
Personally, I find this much more relevant than posting the Cowboys’ third-string running back’s speed rating in “Madden”, but like I said earlier: to each their own.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
LOL… ok, Shawn. Your wordy tirades are a bit exhausting and you come across as a “know it all” and that turns people off. While you may say “to each their own” like you respect their opinion, you certainly do your best to tear their thoughts apart like they should feel stupid to have posted them in the first place. That is not true objectivity and being the owner of this site it is in inherently your responsibility to maintain that regardless what knucklehead comes in here to flame. Using your sharp gramatical tongue with the intent to “wow” people is subtly rude and I have seen you use that tone on several replies to those who go against the grain.
I like your site well enough and think you and Mark do a pretty good job. However, I do think you are too far out in left field at times with your overly intellectual delivery of “wisdom” and probably lose most of your casual audience in translation. Not flaming here - just giving you constructive critisicm from a frequent visitor.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Wowser,
I appreciate your criticism - and the fact that you’re a loyal reader.
As for the rest of your post, all I can say is that while I understand your points interpreting my personality, I don’t agree with them and I’d have to say that they seem a bit presumptive. I am, however, glad you felt free to speak your mind nevertheless.
I do disagree with your assertion of what “being objective” means, however. For example, your statement: “Outside of his own family (Bush’s), go around your city and ask people if they think Dubya is a hero. You’ll probably get hit.”
I personally agree - Bush is more Millard Fillmore than Thomas Jefferson. But that’s no secret; roughly 80% of the country disapproves of his job as President. Now, if someone else says he’s a great President… well, I can defend their right to say that (and do), but I don’t have to agree with it - because the facts clearly show that such on opinion is based on shoddy reasoning. Approving of that kind of statement and letting it go unchallenged is not being objective - it’s being patronizing - and I don’t know anyone who appreciates that.
I like and respect people enough to try and hold legitimate, thoughtful conversations with them; a sharing of ideas that can lead to greater understanding. That’s the whole point of this site.
I suppose I’m still surprised that one day’s brief and simple post dedicated to the passing of a man that won four spoken-word Grammys and will be posthumously awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Center could anger people so much… perhaps it wasn’t Carlin (or me) that was the problem, after all…
***
On the bright side, we can get back to gaming on Tuesday… maybe we can even talk about Dead Space’s “Strategic Dismemberment” mechanic… because that sounds much less offensive!
on June 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 pm
That is not true objectivity and being the owner of this site it is in inherently your responsibility to maintain that regardless what knucklehead comes in here to flame.
Actually, we never promised objectivity, nor should we. You’re coming here to read our opinions, not a flat recitation of the news. You can get the facts of Madden’s polygon count elsewhere - we bring you our take on whether that matters. And that is far from objective. If we were objective, we wouldn’t be writing at a site like this.
Still and all, we can’t be all things to all readers. We’ll piss you off from time to time, and we’ll probably piss you off more when we defend our opinions. But if we didn’t believe in them, we wouldn’t write ‘em. So we’re going to defend them.
Hopefully you agree with us more often than not, but if not that’s OK.
on June 24th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Meh… you both sound like lawyers that are crafty with the language and could likely persuade the socks off a homeless man. I could go on and disect your post Shawn but I really don’t see this going anywhere at all. Some people struggle with accepting other viewpoints in a humble way - AND that’s ok. It’s takes all types to make the world go ’round.
Mark - thanks for chiming in. I have to say that your denying responsibility to take an objective stance in regard to your sites content is surprising at best - especially because 5WG’s printed mission statement says otherwise.
“At 5WG, co-founders Shawn Drotar and Mark Fossen believe that modern gaming is a sophisticated and vibrant experience for both game designers and game players, and as such, deserves thoughtful examination without bias.”
That “without bias” part speaks about not standing on the SUBJECTIVE side of the fence but rather staying in the middle where more level heads prevail.
READY… SSSSET….. GO GET YOU SOME SOCKS!!!
LOL… just having some fun with you guys.
on June 24th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Wowzer -
I’ve see the light. I’ll be completely objective from now on. I’ll make sure to never have an individual opinion, never think or write anything that isn’t 100% verifiable fact. And if I should accidentally ever have an opinion, I’ll tuck my tail between my legs and beg forgiveness should anyone disagree.
Better?
:)
on June 24th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Guys,
Just someone jumping into your conversation here I have two points to make.
1. It is your site. You can be completely biased if you want. IMO, people come here because the like reading about your opinion on videogames and maybe other things. This is what happens in this world. Lots of people like to go to places where everyone agrees so when they see something they don’t like they complain about how someone else is biased and doesn’t see their side. Believe me, when my wife and I get into arguments she always says I can’t see her side, because I disagree. Now I say I see her side but it doesn’t make me change my stance. I am rambling but I hope you get my point. Usually when people don’t agree the other person is biased. Bottom line, IMO it is your site and if people like it they come here again, if they don’t they leave. I for one will still visit the site and while I don’t look at George Carlin as a hero per se I see your point. Either way it’s your opinion and it’s not wrong. It’s opinion.
All that being said:
#2. The one place I agree with Wowser is that if you have a mission statement that says without bias then yeah you are going to hear stuff when the writing seems biased. I guess I don’t get the mission statement when the whole site is biased to the opinions of the writer’s but honestly I have never been a fan of mission statement’s anyway.
Anyway, i think you guys should keep doing what you are doing, and I could really care less what your mission statements says. I don’t pay to read your stuff and I always took it as opinion anyway. It’s not like I take it as gospel. People need to chill out and not take every thing someone else writes so serious. People get offended by anything anymore, I am offended that someone is eating 3 chili dogs when there are people starving and they are obese. Give me a break People need to get over themselves. If you don’t like it, well tough, start your own website.
on June 24th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Chad, You made some good points - albeit somewhat biased. LOL…
Mark, keep doing what you do… just edit the mission statement already!
Shawn, nub!
on June 24th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
“without bias” doesn’t mean “without opinions”
We write our opinions, but we’re not coming from any of the biases you so often see in the gaming press. We aren’t pro or anti EA, don’t care what platform a game is on, and have no real ingrained fanboyism when arguing the merits of Mario and Sonic.
That said … thanks for keeping us honest. Call us on our bullshit - it’s part of the fun of this kind of a forum. We don’t have to agree, and we can be adults when we don’t.
on June 25th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I could not disagree more than I do with the expressed sentiments that using cogent English phrasing - in text or in verbal communication - is in any way “subtly rude”. This is nothing more than an extension of the not-so-subtle, and highly virulent anti-intellectualism of the 2000’s America; led by the clown princes of the breed - the likes of which do not need to be listed chapter and verse, but have essentially driven the train right off the tracks in the time they have been allowed to ‘lead’.
If you don’t like the opinions or politics of someone; or more to the point, you fear their ability to communicate an actual subtle point better than your preferred blunt instruments, then break out the “man-of-the-people” routine. Call them names. Attempt to label them in your own definitions. Rail against their verbosity. Play down the role of being intelligent and making intelligent statements as “elite”. Make it seem like what you are doing is “merely pointing something out”.
I call “Bullshit!” on that entire mindset…and so did George Carlin.
On the contrary, I think that the defenders of the dumbing down of American discourse SHOULD feel poorly or talked down to when confronted with their own shortcomings vis a vis the writings, performances or opinions of others; especially when it is the opinions or performances of others that would deign to offer more than the trite or mundane; or would dare to look deeper than the average puddle in order to gleen more profound experiences or even to communciate them to others.
Too many people simply sity by idly and watch the parade go by…taking it in and allowing it to pass without critical thought or disection. Carlin was not one of them. He refused to praise the Emperor’s new clothes. Instead, he took great glee in the fact that he could stand up and scream “YOU HAVE ON NO FUCKING CLOTHES AT ALL YOU MORON!”
To a much more civil degree - forgoing the blue language and focusing on a different medium, I see much of that same spirit in what Shawn and Mark are doing here at 5Wg…maybe they could reach a wider audience with a few more of Carlin’s favorite 7 words thrown in to appease the mob, but they avoid the temptation.
Shawn and Mark, keep on doing what you do and obviously enjoy, and there will remain a very wide and eager audience for it, myself first among them!
on June 25th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Dan, or “Mooooostache” whatever… you sound like a prick. Not saying you are a prick, you just sound like one.
“Just ’cause I dress like a hooka, doesn’t mean I AM a hooka!”
This may be true for you as well so I’ll give you the benefit of a doubt. Just because the vast majority of the U.S. population does not speak with 50-cent words, Danny Boy, doesn’t mean they are ignorant or do not know how to effectively communicate. I know using all those big fancy words must give you a woody, and to each their own… I just hope you don’t think coming on here and posting that garbage gets you any respect from people. If you spoke to people in person like you did in your post you would get KNOCKED tha FUCK OUT… and you know this. Yeah, I pulled that straight out of the movie “Friday” but the point remains true. So I understand why I see these types of posts from people like you… it’s your only way to vent your frustrations from being such a poor little misunderstood intellect.
Judging from the amount of time it took you to post your pile o’crap and when this dicussion actually started, that comes to about two days. If I used the same two days you did I bet I can duplicate your tirade much the same way. Give me a dictionary, a thesaurus and an ounce of your little man syndrome and I will spew the same malarky you just did.
You’re a douchbag. Yes, I’m saying definitively that you are a douchebag. I’m not alone here I’m sure.
Now go get YOU SOME SOCKS!!!!
on June 26th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Shawn and Mark I continue to support you and your site.
Wowser - Twain was certainly right in saying never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.