American culturecurrent eventsdeathdrugseveryday lifefamilylanguagemass mediamasculinitymisanthropynihilismold agephilosophypoliticspop cultureprofanitypsychologyrace relationsreligionsociety George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008) was an American social critic, stand-up comedian, actor, and author. Regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of all