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If you're like me and I suspect that some of you are, I'd never heard of George Carlin until today. From what I read in an email today he had a less than good reputation as a comedian and generated some controversy in the 70's and 80's. As the email explained, George Carlin's wife recently passed away, which resulted in George writing something very eloquent...and so very appropriate for these times. It sure made me think when I read the following text. Here goes:

"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 neighbour. 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, throwaway 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 showroom 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, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people... Who cares?"

George Carlin

That's really rather lovely.

Nice stuff, but Carlin didn't write it.

Carlin did have this to say about it, though:

- Taken from georgecarlin.com

One of the more embarrassing items making the internet/e-mail rounds is a sappy load of s*** called "The Paradox of Our Time." The main problem I have with it is that as true as some of the expressed sentiments may be, who really gives a s***? Certainly not me.

I figured out years ago that the human species is totally *****d and has been for a long time. I also know that the sick, media-consumer culture in America continues to make this so-called problem worse. But the trick, folks, is not to give a f***. Like me. I really don't care. I stopped worrying about all this temporal bull**** a long time ago. It's meaningless.

Another problem I have with "Paradox" is that the ideas are all expressed in a sort of pseudo-spiritual, New-Age-y, "Gee-whiz-can't-we-do-better-than-this" tone of voice. It's not only bad prose and poetry, it's weak philosophy. I hope I never sound like that.

Well - allo I can say is thanks for that.

It will certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons when I post this info back to the person that sent me the email.

Just goes to show that you can't always believe what you read

Despite the fact it's not written by Carlin, it's still a thought-provoking piece.

The only thing that I was unsure of is the last bit:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Isn't that car manufacturer Lotus' tag line?