posted on January 7, 2001 06:38:14 AM new
"Paradox of Our Time" by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that
we have taller buildings but shorter tempers;
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less;
we buy more but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families;
more conveniences but less time;
we have more degrees but less sense;
more knowledge but less judgment;
more experts yet more problems;
more medicine but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much,
spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry,
stay up too late, get up too tired,
read too little, watch TV too much,
and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced
our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life,
we've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new
neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information,
to produce more copies than ever,
but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow
digestion;
big men and small character; steep profits and
shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,
fancier houses but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,
throw-away morality, one night stands,
overweight bodies, and pills that do everything
from cheer to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show
window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to
you, and a time when you
can choose either to share this insight, or to
just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones,
because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up
to you in awe,
because that little person soon will grow up and
leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,
because that is the only treasure you can give
with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say "I love you" to your partner and
your loved ones, but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it
comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for
someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, give time
to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
To all my friends and family in my life, thanks
for being there!
posted on January 7, 2001 10:08:23 AM new
I guess it depends on what you're measuring against.
Are viewpoints "narrrower" than they were a decade ago? Fifty years? A hundred?
Are we spending more at 4% inflation than at 10%? Do we have less than during WWII rationing? Are our new houses bigger than my 1878 Victorian monstrosity?
What do you consider "sense"? Do we have "more" problems, or only different ones? Alcohol consumption and smoking are down, not up. And do we actually spend more recklessly than our forbears did in, say, the late 1920s? How angry is "too" angry? About what? Do we stay up later than our great-grandparents who worked 11-hour days in sweatshops? Are we honestly less "well" than we were a century ago?
Have we "reduced" our values, or merely changed them?
posted on January 7, 2001 11:01:13 AM new
I like George Carlin, but I get a little ticked at lines like "pills for everything to cheer, to quiet, to kill". Why is it that people are so judgemental about medication? I'm alive because of pills right now yet people constantly try to tell me that I don't really need my medications and that I'm some kind of victim of the pharmeceutical industry's advertising. Well, BS. I'd like to kiss the CEO of Dista for giving me my life back (although I do think he charges too damn much for meds.) I have news for everyone: "to cheer"---DEPRESSION KILLS....."to quiet"---ANXIETY DISORDERS can kill (by driving people to suicide, alcoholism, etc.) Medicines "to cheer and to quiet" were a LONG time coming, desperately awaited, and deserve a hell of a lot more consideration and appreciation than somebody who apparently never needed them's ignorant soundbite.
