What George Carlin said about camcorders could be used today with regard to smartphones (and selfies)
There are times I really miss George Carlin's humor. Fortunately, I can still resort to his numerous books, interviews, performances, and video clips for his wisecracks.
Just recently, I went to a bar with my family and girlfriend in celebration of my birthday. Directly across from us were three ladies in their mid-20s, I imagine, whom did nothing but take selfies all night. Never did we see them look in the direction of the band that was playing, or anywhere else. The three of them simply put their three heads together, gave one another lice in the process, and smiled for their phones. Upon witnessing this, I was immediately reminded of George Carlin's bit regarding camcorders - when they were the "in" thing. When reading this, just substitute "camcorders" with "smartphones," and it should work fairly well for our contemporary society:
"And camcorders. Here is technology gone berserk. Everywhere you go now there’s some dick, some yo-yo, some putz with a camcorder, and he is going to tape everything! Doesn’t anyone in this country just stop and look at things anymore, sort of take them in, maybe even … remember them? Is that such a strange notion? Does that … does experience have to be documented and brought home and saved on a shelf? And do people really watch this sh*t? Are people’s lives so bankrupt they sit at home looking at things they already did? These guys are so intense, you know? It’s always guys; they won’t let women touch the cameras, it’s a highly technical skill. Look through a hole, push on a button—big skill. And there … and they all think they’re Federico Fellini. You ever see ‘em here with this sh*t? Low angles, zooms and pans, and it’s the same ugly three children in every God da*n shot. All the George Lucas magic in Hollywood is not going to change the unfortunate genetic configuration on the faces of these children. Keep these unfortunate youngsters out of public view!"
Amen, George. Amen.
http://aspoonfulofsuga.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/replace-camcorder-with-instagramtwitter-d/
Just recently, I went to a bar with my family and girlfriend in celebration of my birthday. Directly across from us were three ladies in their mid-20s, I imagine, whom did nothing but take selfies all night. Never did we see them look in the direction of the band that was playing, or anywhere else. The three of them simply put their three heads together, gave one another lice in the process, and smiled for their phones. Upon witnessing this, I was immediately reminded of George Carlin's bit regarding camcorders - when they were the "in" thing. When reading this, just substitute "camcorders" with "smartphones," and it should work fairly well for our contemporary society:
"And camcorders. Here is technology gone berserk. Everywhere you go now there’s some dick, some yo-yo, some putz with a camcorder, and he is going to tape everything! Doesn’t anyone in this country just stop and look at things anymore, sort of take them in, maybe even … remember them? Is that such a strange notion? Does that … does experience have to be documented and brought home and saved on a shelf? And do people really watch this sh*t? Are people’s lives so bankrupt they sit at home looking at things they already did? These guys are so intense, you know? It’s always guys; they won’t let women touch the cameras, it’s a highly technical skill. Look through a hole, push on a button—big skill. And there … and they all think they’re Federico Fellini. You ever see ‘em here with this sh*t? Low angles, zooms and pans, and it’s the same ugly three children in every God da*n shot. All the George Lucas magic in Hollywood is not going to change the unfortunate genetic configuration on the faces of these children. Keep these unfortunate youngsters out of public view!"
Amen, George. Amen.
http://aspoonfulofsuga.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/replace-camcorder-with-instagramtwitter-d/
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