• Shirasho@lemmings.world
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    8 months ago

    Carlin has a lot of bangers, but this isn’t one of them and doesn’t sound like something he would say. It completely trivializes the struggle of the lower class.

    • AllonzeeLV@lemmy.worldOP
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      8 months ago

      You’re incorrect. He said it in interviews constantly, and in one of his books (which he narrated the audio book for so he said it there too).

      “Don’t confuse me with those who cling to hope. I enjoy describing how things are, I have no interest in how they ‘ought to be.’ And I certainly have no interest in fixing them. I sincerely believe that if you think there’s a solution, you’re part of the problem. My motto: Fuck Hope!”

      -George Carlin, excerpt from his book Brain Droppings

      • MentallyExhausted@reddthat.com
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        8 months ago

        He was a man who was profoundly disappointed in his fellow man, which I understand, but he was wrong on this one.

        • AllonzeeLV@lemmy.worldOP
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          8 months ago

          How can you look at our history and our present, and not be profoundly disappointed/disillusioned with humanity?

          • kora@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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            8 months ago

            Cause I can… Like literally, because i have the ability, the technology, and (somehow) the education, to look at anything at all that happened before the oldest person alive’s birthday…

            Its not a fucking endless awesome orgy, but damnit I like not having to huddle with all you weirdos just for warmth in some damp cave.

          • rockerface 🇺🇦@lemm.ee
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            8 months ago

            Because we could have already turned Earth into a nuclear wasteland several times over. And we didn’t. So if you think this is the worst timeline, think again

      • southsamurai@sh.itjust.works
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        8 months ago

        Yeah, and that’s the problem with quoting part of what someone says.

        Without the context of the entire statement, it looks different than with the entirety. It switches from a statement about his own cynicism and outlook are, with the out of context part being a explanation of detail behind “fuck hope” to just a blanket statement that anyone with hope is the problem.

        It’s also important to realize that brain droppings is not a serious screed. The guy was a comedian first, and very often wrapped his beliefs in exaggerations to emphasize the absurd in life. He even explained exactly that during his routine about rape jokes. It’s all about the exaggeration, the twisting of things to turn an idea on its head.

        Taking the entire quote as 100% serious is as much a mistake as only quoting part of it.

        • AllonzeeLV@lemmy.worldOP
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          8 months ago

          I’ve watched and read his entire career, including interviews including his 3 hour autobiographical interview.

          It wasn’t a character, it was his condemnation of humanity, and it was shared during his most sincere moments as well, whether you agree with his conclusions ot not.

        • flicker@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          You’re dead right. Claiming to be a fan and not noticing his bow when he entertained us, intentionally, really sits wrong with me. He was a court jester. He knew his role far better than I could ever hope to.