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Saturday, September 21, 2024

Predicting Humor

 "In America, anyone can become president. That's the problem."

~ George Carlin        

The comedian George Carlin (1937-2008) truly was ahead of his time. Reading his sharply relevant quips today can make one wonder if he was a kind of funny Nostradamus, predicting the challenges of our current events decades ago. But I think he was just a very intelligent, perceptive person who could see the freight train--and the ensuing inevitable trainwreck--coming a long way down the tracks.

My favorite routine is his hilarious diatribe on Earth Day and the world's imperviousness to humanity's impact upon it. He actually suggests Earth might use a virus to rid itself of humans! There are other monologues, equally prescient--like the one in which he discusses our "Owners." Even two decades ago, our present situation was obvious to Carlin.

Carlin's standup material contained so many topics that remain keenly relevant today. YouTube is a good source to find his performances. He was one smart cookie. If he was still with us, despite our national troubles, I have no doubt George would still make us laugh.