In a post earlier this year I mentioned how I derived my inspiration from brilliant comic George Carlin. What a shock to read of his passing today – at the age of 71.

Carlin’s career and legacy are compelling not only for the pure talent that powered his wit (which, while offensive to some, certainly had intrinsic merit for its astute cultural observation), but also for the missial nature of his career. He risked his early successes to reinvent himself because, in his own words, “I was a traitor…I was living a lie.” His challenge to many presumptions grew starker as the years went by and sometimes regressed into a cynicism that surpassed the entertainment value one would hold a purported comedian to; but his vision and desire to hold fast to his ideals are to be commemorated along with the gifts and insights he brought to his diverse audiences.