The Paradox of Our Time

by 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 it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less

time; we have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less

judgement; more experts, but 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 too quickly, stay up too late, get

up too tired, read too seldom, 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 the new neighbor.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleared up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've split 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 have less communication.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and

short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure,

but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses,

but broken homes.

These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away

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 show 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.

GC

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