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 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 neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We have higher incomes, but lower morals; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality. These are the times of 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, and more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.
Giddy -- you seem to be on every hoax e-mail list in the country! This from snopes: Claim: A widely-circulated essay known as The Paradox of Our Time was penned by a student who witnessed the Columbine shootings. Status: False. Origins: In May 1998, Jeff Dickson wrote and posted the essay in question to his Hacks-R-Us online forum. He didn't realize his piece would achieve widespread Internet fame, and he has since seen his work attributed to comedian George Carlin, an unnamed Columbine High School student, and that most prolific of scribes, Anonymous. George Carlin very emphatically denies he had had anything to do with "Paradox," a piece he refers to as "a sappy load of ****." His comments about being associated with this essay can be found at his web site.
Okay, I've edited the references to Columbine. Enjoy the sentiment if you can or if you want to! It's a strong message whoever wrote it and for whatever reason.
Hey, I enjoy Carlin as much as the next guy; I went to see him on my anniversary. He is funny, though, not wise. Way too cynical for the real world. I wonder what he's like in real life?
