George Carlin doesn’t mince words. At 70, the legendary comedian is as sharp and subversive as ever, dissecting American culture with surgical precision and a healthy dose of profanity.
In what would become one of his final interviews, Carlin talks about language, politics, religion, and why optimism is overrated.
“I don’t have pet peeves,” he tells me. “I have major psychotic hatreds.”
We’re sitting in his publicist’s office in Los Angeles, and Carlin is in fine form. He’s just released his latest book and HBO special, and he’s eager to talk about the state of American discourse.
On Language:
“I’m interested in the way we use language to conceal reality. Politicians are masters of this. They don’t lie exactly—they just use words that obscure the truth. ‘Collateral damage’ instead of ‘dead civilians.’ ‘Pre-owned’ instead of ‘used.’”
[Continue reading at Psychology Today...]