On June 22, 2008, Carlin was admitted to St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California after complaining of chest pain. He died later that day at 5:55 p.m. PDT of heart failure at the age of 71. In respect to George Carlin's wishes, he will be cremated with his ashes scattered and no public or religious services. Two of the networks he had an influence on changed their schedule in tribute to Carlin. HBO devoted several hours to broadcast eleven of Carlin's HBO specials on June 25 to June 28, 2008, including a twelve-hour marathon block on their HBO Comedy channel. Meanwhile, NBC scheduled the premiere episode of Saturday Night Live which Carlin guest hosted.
From George Carlin
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2006 07:46:59 -0500
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, 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
