Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
…and this is a pharyngula stage embryo.
• a longer profile of yours truly
• my calendar
• Nature Network
• RichardDawkins Network
• facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Atheist Nexus
• the Pharyngula chat room
(#pharyngula on irc.synirc.net)
Who says lying doesn't get you anywhere? Look at the success of Christianity!
C.Spellman
Patterning the nervous system with Bmp
PZ Myers' Own Original, Cosmic, and Eccentric Analogy for How the Genome Works -OR- High Geekology
No genes were lost in the making of this whale
Stay abreast of your favorite bloggers' latest and greatest via e-mail, via a daily digest.
« Physically present at the Evolution 2008 meetings | Main | The wisdom of the cephalopod »
Category: Godlessness
Posted on: June 23, 2008 9:03 AM, by PZ Myers
Sad news in the war against reverence: one of our heroes, George Carlin, has died of heart failure at the age of 71. This was a man to whom nothing was sacred, and that was how he inspired us.
Comments
'Tis a sad day indeed. One of the great voices for reason has been silenced.
Posted by: Benjamin Geiger | June 23, 2008 9:05 AM
Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker and tits.
George Carlin died and I will miss him for both his wit and his irreverence.
Posted by: shyster | June 23, 2008 9:13 AM
George Carlin to me has always been a shining example of recovery from Roman Catholicism. I just watched his bit on the Ten Commandments again and especially appreciate his codicil to his reduced version of the decalog: Keep your religion to yourself.
Posted by: Zeno | June 23, 2008 9:14 AM
My wife and I just saw his show in Roanoke, VA a few months ago. His routine was very funny but he didn't look great. I was hoping he would have many more years left. As was said: A sad day indeed.
Cheers,
Ray
Posted by: Ray | June 23, 2008 9:16 AM
Read somewhere he had bypass surgery twice in the 80s,and walked into a Hospital with chest pain on Sunday...Probably wasnt much they could do for him...
I wasnt familiar with him at all until i got onto Scienceblogs,but had since seen and listened to many of his programs,and he was just utterly clear,sharp and to the point,and very very funny.A big tragic loss.
Posted by: clinteas | June 23, 2008 9:16 AM
Very sad news, indeed. We've definitely lost an incredible member of our team. His honesty, clarity, and incredible humour will be missed.
Posted by: LisaJ | June 23, 2008 9:24 AM
One of his best bits from recent history
the 10 Commandments
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | June 23, 2008 9:25 AM
Seven words for George Carlin:
Funny
Insightful
Brilliant
Irreverent
Logofile
Atheist
Hero
Posted by: mayhempix | June 23, 2008 9:27 AM
Gee, he was just there a minute ago...
Posted by: Kylgar | June 23, 2008 9:30 AM
Damn it all to hell.
Posted by: Kane Gruber, FCD | June 23, 2008 9:30 AM
A true loss. How long until we hear a false claim that he had a "deathbed conversion"?
Posted by: Dahan | June 23, 2008 9:38 AM
yeah it was somber note to start monday with :(
Posted by: Allytude | June 23, 2008 9:39 AM
Completely sucks major ass.
RIP George
Posted by: Derik | June 23, 2008 9:41 AM
I first heard of George Carlin in about 1968 from my high school biology teacher. He thought Carlin was hilarious and used to play cuts from his album in class. I especially remember the Hippy Dippy Weatherman. Can you imagine any teacher today daring to play Carlin's material in class? Rest in peace, George.
Posted by: Ken McKnight | June 23, 2008 9:43 AM
He could smell bullshit a mile away and inspired us all to do likewise.
Posted by: Brett McCoy | June 23, 2008 9:43 AM
I got turned on to Carlin when I was a rebellious teen. When I did radio for a few years his seven words were a constant reminder.
Posted by: Tony P | June 23, 2008 9:45 AM
Funny, my wife called me up and said "George Carlin" - which is our code for who has just died.
I immediatly thought of this family I know, of people like myself who snark at the absurdities of life, most especially religion, and I knew that they would gather here to share the sadness of his leaving us.
George, you were living proof that humor is intelligence, and you were a genius.
Posted by: dan | June 23, 2008 9:45 AM
Looking at your Headline, I am confident at Carlin would suggest looking behind the couch cushions...
Posted by: J-Dog | June 23, 2008 9:48 AM
The king is dead. Long live the king.
Posted by: Christianjb | June 23, 2008 9:51 AM
His Shit is now our Stuff; and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude for changing our culture's perceptions.
I will miss his voice.
Posted by: sjburnt | June 23, 2008 9:53 AM
He will be missed. I've heard about every recorded piece of his, read his books, watched his DVDs, seen him live... what a great free-thinking funnyman...
~Dan
http://jazzsick.wordpress.com/
Posted by: Dan | June 23, 2008 9:54 AM
Ouch. A man we truly couldn't afford to lose in these brain-dead times. Thanks for everything, George.
Posted by: Steve LaBonne | June 23, 2008 9:55 AM
"The whole problem with this idea of obscenity and indecency, and all of these things -- bad language and whatever -- it's all caused by one basic thing, and that is: religious superstition," Carlin told the AP in a 2004 interview. "There's an idea that the human body is somehow evil and bad and there are parts of it that are especially evil and bad, and we should be ashamed. Fear, guilt and shame are built into the attitude toward sex and the body. ... It's reflected in these prohibitions and these taboos that we have."
Posted by: Goodbye George | June 23, 2008 9:57 AM
Damn that sucks. I got to see him live at my university back in 86, he was awesome.
He went off on Margaret Thatcher with such venom some of the professors bristled and left. I loved it.
It also pleased me that my son can watch Thomas the Train and hear his voice.
I'll miss him.
Posted by: Steve_C | June 23, 2008 10:02 AM
Sad news indeed.
Posted by: Epinephrine | June 23, 2008 10:02 AM
The man was a genius. I will miss him.
Posted by: tsg | June 23, 2008 10:04 AM
I saw a recording of "It's Bad For Ya" and worried his time to go was arriving. He'll be missed. He's one of the few people who could see the truth and express it freely. What's worse are all those people who will celebrate his death, show him in hell or getting some kind of divine judgment, or use it as an excuse to attack Atheists.
Posted by: Alverant | June 23, 2008 10:10 AM
But.... He was just here a minute ago!
Posted by: JackC | June 23, 2008 10:15 AM
Sad news; he was truly one of the greats. And the atheist-bashing has already begun. I was flipping through the AM dial this morning, and one of the local conservative Clear Channel pawns went from praising his career to his own little "Carlin-like" tangent, questioning how people can even have a funeral for an atheist and wondering where he is now. Callers and the host alike commented unironically how atheists live sad, unfulfilling lives, even going so far as to feel sorry for all of us sad, unthinking, narrow-minded hippies.
Posted by: Dustin | June 23, 2008 10:16 AM
'How long until we hear a false claim that he had a "deathbed conversion"?'
Probably in five, four, three, two...
Good bye, George. You're already missed.
Posted by: Paul McElligott | June 23, 2008 10:18 AM
Tonight's forecast! Dark.
Bye George, and let us know if Jesus brought the pork chops.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich | June 23, 2008 10:18 AM
My fiancée is going to be inconsolable. Not so much because he died, though she will be sad about that, but more because I will be quoting his acts for pretty much the next week straight in his honor.
I'm glad that I got a chance to see him live once.
I dunno. I think he was irreverent and "offensive" enough that no one will bother with the specious postmortem conversion and they'll just stick with the burning in hell. Maybe they'll even steal some of his last HBO special. "He's looking up at us, screaming in pain."Posted by: Ian Menzies | June 23, 2008 10:18 AM
Sad day. I send salutes to the legend.
Posted by: Michelle | June 23, 2008 10:19 AM
I never listen to AM talk radio. It's too insipid and infuriating... these guys aren't on because they have anything smart to say, their on because they have a good radio voice and the old conservative white guys get reassured that everyone things just like them.
Posted by: Steve_C | June 23, 2008 10:20 AM
I listen to talk radio in the car for the sole purpose of brushing up on conservative talking points/strawmen, but I agree that it is almost too much.
Posted by: Dustin | June 23, 2008 10:24 AM
Stole this from Hullabaloo:
"Religion convinced the world that there's an invisible man in the sky who watches everything you do. And there's 10 things he doesn't want you to do or else you'll to to a burning place with a lake of fire until the end of eternity. But he loves you! ...And he needs money! He's all powerful, but he can't handle money! [...] I've begun worshipping the sun for a number of reasons. First of all, unlike some other gods I could mention, I can see the sun. It's there for me every day. And the things it brings me are quite apparent all the time: heat, light, food, a lovely day. There's no mystery, no one asks for money, I don't have to dress up, and there's no boring pageantry. And interestingly enough, I have found that the prayers I offer to the sun and the prayers I formerly offered to God are all answered at about the same 50-percent rate. [...] Religion is sort of like a lift in your shoes. If it makes you feel better, fine. Just don't ask me to wear your shoes. And let's not nail the lift to the natives' feet."
Posted by: NJDave | June 23, 2008 10:25 AM
:o(
I only recently found his stuff on Youtube and thought they were brilliant. Tis a sad day.
He's up in heaven now... ;o)
Posted by: Gareth | June 23, 2008 10:25 AM
"He's looking up at us, screaming in pain."
Nonsense. He's withering Blaise Pascal's virgin ears. :)
Damn, I'm going to miss him, in about the same way as I miss Molly Ivins and Isaac Asimov...
I must say I don't understand people who don't understand why atheists have funerals. Who do they think funerals are for, anyway? The corpse?!
Posted by: Interrobang | June 23, 2008 10:26 AM
This is a sad loss indeed. We can't afford to lose one bullshit-caller for every bullshit-enabler that passes. The cable channels are breeding them too quickly.
Posted by: Apikoros | June 23, 2008 10:29 AM
Shit, shit, shit......when I was a kid, I wanted to be a stand-up comedian mainly due to George Carlin. The very first records I ever bought were Bill Cosby, Flip Wilson and Carlin. I feel lucky enough to have seen him in Daytona Beach many years ago when I was 11......
Posted by: Fire Ant | June 23, 2008 10:30 AM
what the hell... they're and thinks... I hate when I type and I'm not really awake.
Posted by: Steve_C | June 23, 2008 10:30 AM
I wonder how many people recovered from their religious disease thanks to George Carlin.
In my favorite George Carlin video a hot looking angel with an Irish accent says heaven looks like Ireland without the pipe bombs. George Carlin said heaven is a topless bar by the airport.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niqVVENiY2c
Posted by: BobC | June 23, 2008 10:31 AM
> I think he was irreverent and "offensive" enough that no one will bother with the specious postmortem conversion and they'll just stick with the burning in hell
Yeah, they'd have to be completely stupid, utterly ignorant, or totally lacking in intellectual honesty to claim GC made a deathbed conversion. Oh, wait...
Posted by: Jared Lessl | June 23, 2008 10:31 AM
I almost always enjoyed George Carlin. I will miss his perception of life and his humor.
The one thing I regretted was one time a couple of years ago when he appeared on the Jay Leno show (promoting Cars?) when Ann Coulter was also a guest. Carlin kept remarkably quiet, when I wished he would have verbally trounced and completely eviscerated that harridan. I suppose he was under strict orders from the producers of both the movie and the Leno show, but it didn't seem like him to cave to authority.
None-the-less, here's to irreverence!
Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker and tits.
.
.
Posted by: Benjamin Franklin | June 23, 2008 10:33 AM
George Carlin was an astute observer of commercials (Merv Griffin Show, 1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXPbyk0Brmg&feature=related
Posted by: Colugo | June 23, 2008 10:34 AM
Yah, today it's especially true that "the forecast for tonight is dark"... but we shouldn't forget the near certainty of "scattered light in the morning."
Posted by: Bill Dauphin | June 23, 2008 10:34 AM
Kylgar@9: Apologies - I scanned quickly for the comment, and missed yours. For a minute there, I thought those words weren't going to appear.
Posted by: JAckC | June 23, 2008 10:36 AM
He will be missed.
However, he has achieved true immortality: he will live on his HBO specials, recordings, youtube and more! Few have achieved that true immortality, grab a seat George, you have earned it!
Posted by: ljvillanueva | June 23, 2008 10:46 AM
How long before Rush Limbaugh calls Carlin "Just another dead drug addict" ... ?
Posted by: Kseniya | June 23, 2008 10:47 AM
Aw, s**t.
(Is "tits" really still on the list?)
Posted by: Cheezits | June 23, 2008 10:51 AM
All you have to do is watch five minutes of a typical Comedy Central stand-up to see what a loss this is even from just a comedic standpoint. You paired intelligence with humor, George. Hate to see ya go.
Posted by: deerjackal | June 23, 2008 10:56 AM
Rat shit, bat shit, dirty old twat! Sixty-nine assholes tied in a knot! Hooray! Lizard shit! Fuck!
Posted by: Pat | June 23, 2008 11:01 AM
Don't worry George Carlin will be found again, nothing is ever lost. God just sent him to the lost and found.
Posted by: Doris Tracey | June 23, 2008 11:19 AM
Fred Phelps protesting his funeral, fundies proclaiming he's burning in hell, and other bullshit in 3...2...
Posted by: LordJiro | June 23, 2008 11:19 AM
We'll all miss you George. A voice I loved to hear that made me realize I was one of the sane ones... here's to you not "looking down on us from above" (or "looking up on us" either lol), to speaking the truth no matter how much shit you took for it.
Thanks Brother
Posted by: sterge | June 23, 2008 11:22 AM
He was supposed to receive the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Humor award this year, too. Rats.
Posted by: Ubi Dubium | June 23, 2008 11:22 AM
Saw him in Las Vegas in 2006. It was horrible. I thought he was going to kill himself right there on stage.
His middle-career material, however, was great.
Posted by: Ryan Jensen | June 23, 2008 11:35 AM
I just made one of my friends discover Carlin today.
I think that's my Good Action of the Day ©
Posted by: Michelle | June 23, 2008 11:39 AM
Fuck, seriously? George Carlin is really dead?
Posted by: Alex | June 23, 2008 11:39 AM
Did he piss of Joe Pesci?
Posted by: Nate | June 23, 2008 11:41 AM
Or, conceivably, "logophile".
Posted by: a logophile | June 23, 2008 11:50 AM
I used to not be so emotional, but what the hell...I wept at the news of his death. Society needs people that sometimes make you uncomfortable because they make you think. Carlin made me laugh, think, laugh. Thanks George, I know you probably do not want me or any else to cry, but hard not to. Will have a drink for you later. Hope you crossed over the river easy and are now resting under the shade of the trees.
Ciao, brother
Posted by: JeffreyD | June 23, 2008 11:51 AM
Frank? Frank Tipler, is that you?
Posted by: noncarborundum | June 23, 2008 11:53 AM
To a Buddha nothing and everything is sacred, George Carlin must be a Buddha!
Posted by: Doris Tracey | June 23, 2008 11:53 AM
I happened to be in Las Vegas last weekend and went to The Orleans to see him. Most of his show were bits that showed how silly religion is, and sometimes he just lectured about the invisible man in the clouds. It was a much better show than he did a few years ago at MGM.
He truly was a hero.
Posted by: Phil Doubet | June 23, 2008 11:54 AM
@JAckC 47: Oh, no worries; I think every time they are repeated, it just adds to his tribute.
Posted by: Kylgar | June 23, 2008 11:58 AM
It is sad news that George Carlin has died. Of course, he would have mocked the shit out of anyone who melodramatically mourned his passing.
I expressed a few additional thoughts about his death at my place:
http://physioprof.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/george-carlin-is-dead/
Adios motherfucker!!
Posted by: PhysioProf | June 23, 2008 12:01 PM
To #63 no this is not Frank, Frank Tipler. My Dads name is Frank Tracey and my name is Doris, Doris Tracey.
Posted by: Doris Tracey | June 23, 2008 12:04 PM
Stupidass gawd, we said George BUSH... :(
Posted by: Patricia | June 23, 2008 12:06 PM
I'll give my blunt and honest opinion:
Anyone who denigrates religion is worthy in my regard.
Posted by: Holbach | June 23, 2008 12:09 PM
The "Religion is Bullshit" clip has been one of my favorites for some time! George Carlin will be missed!
Posted by: Jammer | June 23, 2008 12:09 PM
#54, I'm not sure I could think of a better tribute. Out in the cosmic ether his atoms would be laughing their electrons off.
Posted by: shyster | June 23, 2008 12:10 PM
We love you George. Comedian, philosopher, and thinker. You will be missed. You've enriched those of us who listened.
Posted by: Alex | June 23, 2008 12:11 PM
Like shyster (@72), I'm sure Carlin would take these things as a tribute. Maybe we should give Phelps a true mindfuck by offering to pay his airfare?
Posted by: Bill Dauphin | June 23, 2008 12:22 PM
You can't fool me, Frank. On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog.
P.S. On the off chance you're not Frank Tipler, here's what I was referring to: "Omega Point (Tipler)" at Wikipedia, especially this:
Posted by: noncarborundum | June 23, 2008 12:33 PM
The seven words you can't say in Heaven:
Shit Piss Fuck Cunt freedom Lucifer Tits
Posted by: The Petey | June 23, 2008 12:39 PM
I've got a tribute up on my blog, including some of his best anti-religion quotes and the 10 commandments video.
Posted by: The Atheist Jew | June 23, 2008 12:49 PM
Hell's getting a great show tonight, a combination of Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks and Carlin. Hicks and Carlin were two very important influences upon my development since turning 18 and now both of them are dead. Pretty much all my heroes seem to have died, Heinlein, Hicks, Carlin...
Posted by: Dragonfire | June 23, 2008 12:50 PM
Hell's getting a great show tonight, a combination of Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks and Carlin. Hicks and Carlin were two very important influences upon my development since turning 18 and now both of them are dead. Pretty much all my heroes seem to have died, Heinlein, Hicks, Carlin...
Posted by: Dragonfire | June 23, 2008 12:52 PM
A sad day indeed. I have my own little 'saw him once' story, just posted to my blog. Click my name so I don't have the comment hung up in approval status for putting in a URL...
Posted by: Vic | June 23, 2008 12:53 PM
#49: It should take very long. I think he's sort of irony-challenged.
Of course, we can't use that line when he dies, because RL wasn't just another drug addict - he will also have been a lying hypocrite with the all-too-common Republican capacity to speak power to truth.
Perhaps someone can organize a trade - Limbaugh for Carlin? I'd even throw in A** C****** as a bonus.
Posted by: Hap | June 23, 2008 12:57 PM
Who's the damn prude asswat that removed that video?!
Posted by: Michelle | June 23, 2008 1:00 PM
(Oh! It's back? Hehe. Sorry about that.)
Posted by: Michelle | June 23, 2008 1:02 PM
When I heard the news last night I felt sadder than I have n a long time. Carlin was more than a comedian, he was a sage and a role model. He will be sorely missed, and I think we should name a holiday for him.
Posted by: Jeff Arnold | June 23, 2008 1:12 PM
To Bill #74, I'll contribute $30 if you arrange it. I feel sure that would have tickled George. On a personal note, when I was wavering with getting the last of religion out of my system 5 years ago, Mr Carlin helped me to get there.
Posted by: Tom | June 23, 2008 1:13 PM
The typical editorial cartoon tribute, depicting the deceased public figure at Heaven's gate, is of course especially inappropriate in this case.
I wonder if The Onion's political cartoonist 'Kelly' (actually Ward Sutton) will do one of his usual "burn in Hell" cartoons.
Kelly's Roy Scheider cartoon
http://www.theonion.com/content/cartoon/mar-10-2008
Posted by: Colugo | June 23, 2008 1:32 PM
George is in heaven now.
Posted by: Mrs Tilton | June 23, 2008 1:40 PM
Aw, s**t.
(Is "tits" really still on the list?)
Actually, I've heard both "tits" and "piss" unbleeped on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block. And the one time I ever saw Gary the Rat, the last words accompanying the opening credits was "This is the shit!" Of course, both were on cable, not network TV.
George Carlin really was brilliant. So sad that he's no longer here, since we still need him.
Posted by: Julie Stahlhut | June 23, 2008 1:47 PM
Just remember he did not pass on, move on, part the viel, move to the other side, go into the light, go where the grass is always greener, slough off this mortal coil, go to the here-with-after, buy the farm or kick the bucket. He died!
(Do I need to say I'm paraphrasing one of his skits?)
Posted by: Lynnai | June 23, 2008 1:47 PM
@#87: I dunno, I'd have to see some evidence for that. :P
Posted by: Michelle | June 23, 2008 1:48 PM
Oh fuck...
This is really sad day indeed. I "discovered" him only 2 years ago. Not only he was a great comedian, he was also a great role model for me.
RIP George.
Posted by: zachary | June 23, 2008 1:50 PM
Laaaaaaamme. I want going to go see him tour this year and everything :-/
Now who will I turn to when I want a stand up comedian with vulgar, unflinching cynicism, satire, humor and semi-critical thinking?!
Posted by: Keith B | June 23, 2008 1:53 PM
Typo: was* not want
Posted by: Keith B | June 23, 2008 1:54 PM
"We've lost George Carlin!"
FUCK!
Posted by: Anonomouse | June 23, 2008 2:04 PM
Lewis Black might suit your fancy.
Posted by: Steve_C | June 23, 2008 2:04 PM
George was a hero to anyone who like blunt, point blank honesty.
Posted by: JStein | June 23, 2008 2:08 PM
Mrs Tilton @ 87 He is? Can you prove it? I'll bet he doesn't think so. Of course, he'll never prove it either.
Posted by: Holbach | June 23, 2008 2:15 PM
I think Mrs Tilton #87 picked the #1 thing said that could have pissed Carlin off after his death could he see it.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | June 23, 2008 2:23 PM
This was a man to whom nothing was sacred, and that was how he inspired us.
Something people should keep in mind when it's their own sacred cow on the chopping block.
Posted by: truth machine | June 23, 2008 2:26 PM
Sigh. I don't know anyone that combined inventive insanity and insight quite the same way, or quite as well.
He's up there with the best. (GC, Monty Python and Kiyohiko Azuma, if you ask me.)
Now we just wait. How many years have to pass before people bow down to Joe Pesci and worship St. Carlin who was his only prophet? And when can we start building altars to the Big Electron? (Whoau-whoau.)
Posted by: Masks of Eris | June 23, 2008 2:30 PM
George is in heaven now.
Care to elaborate? What and where is this "heaven"? What is it made of? How big is it? How does something get into it? Once something is "in" it, can it get out? If he's in heaven, who's in his grave?
Oh, and how the fuck do you know?
Posted by: truth machine | June 23, 2008 2:32 PM
truth machine, I believe Mrs Tilton only borrowed Kurt Vonnegut's joke.
Posted by: windy | June 23, 2008 2:37 PM
I feel sure that would have tickled George.
At least you have tense right, but why is that relevant? He's dead and gone, no longer the subject of being tickled or other mental states. If you want to do something, do it because it tickles you.
Posted by: truth machine | June 23, 2008 2:37 PM
truth machine, Mrs. Tilton is a smart ass. Try clicking on her name. It was a joke.
Posted by: Janine ID | June 23, 2008 2:42 PM
truth machine, I believe Mrs Tilton only borrowed Kurt Vonnegut's joke.
My questions are valid for anyone who believes her words, and there certainly are some who frequent here. In fact, I have reason to believe that Mrs. Tilton is one of them.
Posted by: truth machine | June 23, 2008 2:44 PM
God rest his soul. Rest in peace, George Carlin.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 23, 2008 2:46 PM
truth machine, now you are just being obstinate.
Posted by: Janine ID | June 23, 2008 2:47 PM
Mrs. Tilton is a smart ass.
That's a rather odd way of characterizing her, and not a way that I think she would characterize herself.
Try clicking on her name.
I've clicked her name long before this, thank you.
It was a joke.
You infer more from that than is warranted.