06.25.08
A couple of further thoughts on the loss of one Mr. Carlin
My 6/23/08 tribute to George Carlin was one of several billion tributes posted almost instantly after news of his death began to spread. Likely all but a handful of those gabillion posts mentioned Carlin’s classic “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” routine. I, too, mentioned that particular monologue, though within the context of time frame (my meeting him was three years after the arrest for live performance of said monologue) and, more importantly, as contrast with his perceptive analysis of something as specific as a single number—inconsequentional in relation to the world at large, but vastly significant in relation to the comedy of Mr. Carlin.
The googolzillion oh-so-facile references to the Seven Words, the Supreme Court ruling, the etc. etc. etc., particularly from the traditional media perhaps in earnest homage to Carlin but more likely in attempt to give us a touch point to make sure we knew who the heck they were talking about, were not unjustified. Yet, such references distract us from Carlin’s powerful inspection of the microscopy of our lives, the detailed moments that define us as humans, and the fact that we created this world and are not simply victims of it. As I said, a single number, and why we think a hundred and faahve is funny. Extend that back to his lightning-rod routine: Who banned the Seven Words? Not “they.” We did. Carlin showed that we must understand ourselves, and rise above ourselves. And, sometimes, we must simply be happy with ourselves. Multiple messages? No, just perceptive observation of multiple humanly self-conflicted traits. And that’s where his genius resided.
Most commentators note that Carlin eloquently and perceptively observed words. More important, Carlin used eloquent words to reveal perception. Yeah, the Seven Words are a definite moment in his career, but they are not a defining moment. Don’t insult him by seeing him through only that filter.
Amongst the billions of tributes out on the web right now, I particularly like this to-the-point musing, from one Thom363:
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