George Carlin Wasn’t on Your Team (Or Theirs)

With all due respect to the inimitable Richard Pryor, and to all the living legends still working today, I believe George Carlin is the greatest comedian of all time. As a budding skeptic and aspiring writer, I was immediately enthralled by Carlin’s work when I discovered it in high school. I couldn’t get enough of his sharp wit, clever turns of phrase, and profound observations on everything from bowel movements and pets to consumerism and religion. I devoured his back catalogue, read all his books, and got all his albums. To this day, I quote Carlin the way others do poets or proverbs. His work made me a better thinker. It made me a better writer. It ultimately made me a better person—and he did it all while making me laugh.