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 have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences but less time. We possess more degrees but less common sense; more knowledge but less judgment. We have more experts but more problems.
 
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get angry too quickly, stay up too late, get too tired, and read too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We know the price of everything but the value of nothing.
 
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, but not life to years.
 
We've been to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space. We've done larger things but not necessarily better things. We've cleaned up the air but polluted our thinking. We've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more but say less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned how to rush but not to wait. We build faster computers to hold more information, yet have far less communication.
 
These are the times of fast food and slow digestion; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are also times of more leisure but less fun; fancier houses but more broken homes.
 
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway ethics, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer us up to put us to sleep. It is a time when there is much in the store window and nothing in the stockroom.
 
This is a time when technology can bring this letter to you instantly, and when you can either share the insight or just hit "delete."
 
George Carlin may have been under credited. Seen as the "Hippy Dippy Weatherman" and other persona, Carlin could obviously go deep, as he did with these observations on the human condition.
 
So into the future, try spending more time with people and a little less with technology. Computers and e-mail are essential; we all need them. In reality technology is only a tool; useless until a person puts it to work. An ADG colleague once remarked we should think of our management group like an NBA team. You have 12 chairs on the floor to fill with the best players. Anything less won't get you into the playoffs. Are you there yet?
 
As Carlin points out, it's not a kinder, gentler world. Realizing that once-clear rules are now clear vulnerabilities, it's time to re-value our prized relationships, surround ourselves with the best people in skill and character, then drive ahead looking into the future, as opposed to being transfixed on the rear view mirror.