George Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, author, and social critic. This quote is taken from his last stand up routine, “Life Is Worth Losing” (2005).
An Excerpt from George Carlin on Charlie Rose: 3-26-1996 To those incensed by the intentional inaccuracy of the title: This is not George Carlin literally speaking about the 2016 election 8.5 years after his death, but his outlook on his life and creativity can be applicable to today’s grueling social divide. Maybe you disagree and I respect that. I’ll admit it’s cynical as fuck. This is also not posthumously assigning Carlin to a modern candidate. He claimed that he didn’t vote and he never publicly supported any politician. This was posted before the election. It’s not intended as a left/right thing, and I didn’t monetize it. I’m not selling anything. I posted it to get your attention in case it could inspire some calm in shaky times.
George Carlin talks about embarrassing Americans. Clip from “Life Is Worth Losing” (2005)
William Melvin “Bill” Hicks (December 16, 1961 – February 26, 1994) was an American comedian, social critic, satirist and musician. His material, encompassing a wide range of social issues including religion, politics, and philosophy, was controversial, and often steeped in dark comedy. He criticized consumerism, superficiality, mediocrity, and banality within the media and popular culture, which he characterized as oppressive tools of the ruling class that keep people “stupid and apathetic”
At the age of 16, while still in high school, he began performing at the Comedy Workshop in Houston, Texas. During the 1980s, he toured the United States extensively and made a number of high-profile television appearances; but it was in the UK that he amassed a significant fan base, filling large venues during his 1991 tour. He also achieved a modicum of recognition as a guitarist and songwriter.
Hicks died of pancreatic cancer on February 26, 1994 in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the age of 32. In subsequent years – in particular after a series of posthumous album releases – his work gained a significant measure of acclaim in creative circles, and he developed a substantial cult following. In 2007, he was voted the fourth greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups, and he maintained that ranking on the 2010 list.
Always Question Authority 