George Carlin - It's A BIG Club & You Ain't In It!

Summary

The script criticizes the state of education, suggesting that it's designed to produce obedient workers rather than critical thinkers. It argues that the wealthy elite control politics and media to maintain a system that benefits them, at the expense of the average citizen. The speaker contends that the 'American Dream' is a myth, used to keep people complacent while the powerful exploit them.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The speaker criticizes the notion that education is the solution to all problems, suggesting that simply increasing funding and resources does not necessarily improve critical thinking or decision-making.
• 📚 There's an observation that schools are lowering passing grades to make it appear as though more students are succeeding, which may artificially inflate school performance metrics but doesn't address underlying educational issues.
• 🌍 The speaker points out a global comparison, noting that other countries graduate more scientists, implying a possible failure in the U.S. educational system to produce a competitive workforce.
• 🏛️ Politicians are accused of using education as a political tool, with programs like 'No Child Left Behind' and 'Head Start' being cited as examples of initiatives that may not deliver on their promises.
• 💰 The script suggests that wealthy business interests control education policy, implying that the focus is on maintaining a compliant workforce rather than fostering critical thinking.
• 🤔 The speaker argues that the 'owners' of the country do not want a well-informed and critical populace, as this would threaten their control and interests.
• 🏭 There's a claim that the current system aims to produce obedient workers who are just smart enough to operate machinery and perform basic tasks, but not enough to question or change the status quo.
• 📉 The script describes a decline in job quality, with reduced pay, longer hours, and fewer benefits, suggesting a deliberate strategy to exploit workers.
• 💵 The speaker foresees further encroachment on social security and retirement funds, indicating a belief that the wealthy will continue to accumulate resources at the expense of the average citizen.
• 🗳️ There's a critique of the electorate, suggesting that people continue to vote for politicians who do not represent their interests, highlighting a perceived lack of awareness or action among the public.

Q & A

What does the speaker suggest is the common response when discussing low IQs and poor decision-making?

The speaker suggests that when discussing low IQs and poor decision-making, people often attribute these issues to a lack of education and argue that more funding, resources, and testing are the solutions.

What does the speaker criticize about the current educational system?

The speaker criticizes the educational system for lowering passing grades to make it appear as if students are performing better, which they argue leads to a decline in the overall IQ of the country.

Why does the speaker believe that the educational system will never improve?

The speaker believes the educational system will never improve because the 'real owners' of the country, the wealthy business interests, do not want a population capable of critical thinking, as it goes against their interests.

What role do politicians play according to the speaker's perspective?

According to the speaker, politicians are used to give the illusion of freedom of choice to the public, but they are ultimately controlled by the wealthy business interests who own everything, including the media and political institutions.

What does the speaker imply about the wealthy business interests' view on education?

The speaker implies that the wealthy business interests view education as a means to produce obedient workers who are smart enough to operate machinery and do paperwork but not smart enough to question or challenge the system.

What is the 'big club' mentioned by the speaker, and who is not part of it?

The 'big club' is a metaphor for the elite group that controls the country, and the speaker implies that the average person, including the listener, is not part of this exclusive group.

How does the speaker describe the current job market and its impact on workers?

The speaker describes the job market as offering increasingly worse jobs with lower pay, longer hours, reduced benefits, and the end of overtime and pensions, which are all designed to benefit the wealthy at the expense of workers.

What does the speaker suggest about the future of Social Security and retirement money?

The speaker suggests that the wealthy are planning to take back the Social Security and retirement money from the public to give it to their friends on Wall Street.

Why does the speaker think that people continue to elect the rich into power?

The speaker believes that people continue to elect the rich into power because they remain willfully ignorant of the manipulation and control exerted by the wealthy over their lives and the political system.

What does the 'American dream' represent to the speaker?

To the speaker, the 'American dream' represents a false promise because it implies that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, which the speaker believes is not true due to the control of the wealthy over the system.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Education and the Illusion of Progress

The paragraph discusses the common belief that education is the solution to societal problems, particularly those related to intelligence and decision-making. It critiques the idea that simply increasing funding, resources, and testing will improve educational outcomes. The speaker argues that lowering standards to make more students pass is detrimental, leading to a decline in overall intelligence. The paragraph also touches on the political use of education as a tool to manipulate public opinion, suggesting that those in power use it to maintain control rather than to genuinely improve the populace's critical thinking abilities.

Keywords

💡Education

Education in the context of the video script refers to the formal process of learning and acquiring knowledge, which is often seen as a means to improve individual and societal outcomes. The speaker critiques the notion that simply increasing funding, resources, and testing within the education system will solve all problems. They argue that the system is flawed and that lowering standards, as exemplified by 'lowering the passing grades,' does not address the root issues but rather perpetuates a cycle of mediocrity. This relates to the theme of the video as it suggests that the current educational system is not designed to produce critical thinkers but rather complacent workers.

💡IQ

IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is mentioned in the script to discuss the perceived lack of intelligence and decision-making abilities among certain groups of people. The speaker sarcastically points out that when confronted with low IQs and poor decision-making, the immediate response is to blame the education system and to call for more resources. However, the speaker implies that the problem is deeper and more systemic, suggesting that the focus on IQ and education as a panacea is misguided and part of a larger issue of societal control and manipulation.

💡Passing Grades

Passing grades are the minimum scores required to pass a test or course. In the script, the speaker criticizes the practice of lowering passing grades as a way to make it appear that more students are achieving academic success. This action is seen as deceptive and indicative of a system that prioritizes appearances over genuine learning and intellectual development. It ties into the broader message that societal structures are manipulated to maintain the status quo rather than fostering true progress.

💡Politicians

Politicians are mentioned as figures who use certain rhetoric to give the illusion of choice and change. The speaker argues that politicians often hide behind issues like education, using it as a platform to appear as if they are advocating for the people's interests. However, the underlying message is that politicians are controlled by the wealthy and powerful, and their actions do not genuinely serve the public but rather maintain the interests of the elite.

💡Wealthy Business Interests

Wealthy business interests are portrayed in the script as the real power brokers in society, controlling politicians, media, and the overall direction of the country. The speaker suggests that these interests are not concerned with the well-being of the general public but are focused on self-enrichment and maintaining a system that benefits them. This concept is central to the video's theme, which is a critique of the power structures that perpetuate inequality and stifle critical thinking among the populace.

💡Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze and evaluate information objectively. The speaker in the video argues that the current system does not foster critical thinking among the population. Instead, it encourages compliance and obedience, which serves the interests of the wealthy and powerful. The lack of emphasis on critical thinking is seen as a deliberate strategy to maintain control and prevent the populace from questioning the status quo.

💡Obedient Workers

Obedient workers are those who follow instructions without questioning the system or seeking change. In the context of the video, the speaker suggests that the goal of the current power structure is to create a workforce that is just intelligent enough to perform their tasks but not so much that they question the conditions of their employment or the broader societal issues. This concept is used to illustrate how the system is designed to maintain a certain level of control and prevent the rise of a more empowered and questioning population.

💡Social Security

Social Security refers to the government-sponsored social insurance program that provides financial support to retirees, disabled individuals, and others. In the script, the speaker criticizes the idea that the wealthy and powerful are attempting to take control of Social Security funds, which are intended for the general populace's well-being. This is used as an example of how the interests of the people are being undermined for the benefit of a select few.

💡American Dream

The American Dream is a national ethos that suggests anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. The speaker in the video uses this term ironically, suggesting that it is a myth perpetuated by those in power to keep the population complacent and unaware of the systemic issues that prevent true social mobility. The dream is described as something that can only be believed while asleep, implying that those who are awake to the realities of societal control and inequality cannot subscribe to it.

💡Media Control

Media control refers to the influence exerted by the wealthy and powerful over the news and information disseminated to the public. In the script, the speaker argues that the media is used as a tool to manipulate public opinion, control what people think and believe, and maintain the status quo. This concept is integral to the video's message, which is that the information landscape is skewed to serve the interests of the elite and keep the general population uninformed and compliant.

Highlights

The belief that education is the solution to low IQs and poor decision-making.

The argument that increasing funding and resources for education is not enough to improve outcomes.

Criticism of lowering passing grades to make schools appear better.

The idea that basic education requirements are being lowered to accommodate more students.

The claim that 17 other countries graduate more scientists due to better educational systems.

The critique of politicians hiding behind the flag, the Bible, and children's education.

The mention of the 'No Child Left Behind' policy and its perceived shortcomings.

The assertion that education is intentionally kept poor to prevent critical thinking among the population.

The notion that the wealthy elite control politics and media to maintain their interests.

The statement that the wealthy do not want a well-educated and critical population.

The idea that the system is designed to produce obedient workers rather than critical thinkers.

The critique of the working conditions and the decline of benefits for workers.

The warning that the wealthy are after the retirement funds of the common people.

The metaphor of 'the big club' to illustrate the exclusion of the majority from power and wealth.

The observation that the media is used to manipulate public opinion and consumer behavior.

The critique of the American dream as a concept that requires ignorance to believe in.

The call for awareness about the rigged system and the need for critical thinking.

Transcripts

not too bright folks not too [ __ ]

right but if you talk to one I'm about

this if you isolate one time you sit him

down rationally you talk to him about

the low IQs and the dumb behavior and

the bad decisions right away they start

talking about education that's the big

answer to everything

education they simply need more money

for education we need more more books

more teachers more classrooms more

schools we need more testing for the

kids he said oh well you know we've

tried all of that and the kids still

can't pass the test so I don't you worry

about that we're gonna lower the passing

grades that's what they're doing a lot

of these schools now they lower the

passing grades some more kids can pass

more kids pass the school looks good

everybody's happy the IQ of the country

slips another two or three points I'm

pretty soon all you'll need to get into

college is a [ __ ] pencil

got a pencil get the [ __ ] in there it's

physics then everyone wonders why 17

other countries graduate more scientists

and we do education politicians know

that word to use it on you politicians

have traditionally hidden behind three

things the flag the Bible and children

No Child Left Behind No Child Left

Behind oh really well it wasn't long ago

you were talking about giving kids a

head start

Head Start left behind someone's losing

[ __ ] ground here

but there's a reason there's a reason

there's a reason for this as a reason

education sucks and it's the same reason

that it will never ever ever be fixed

never gonna get any better don't look

for it be happy with what you got

because the owners of this country don't

want that I'm talking about the real

owners now the real owners the big

wealthy business interests that control

things and make all the important

decisions forget the politicians the

politicians are put there to give you

the idea that you have freedom of choice

you don't you have no choice you have

owners they own you they own everything

they own all the important land they own

and control the corporations they've

long since bought and paid for the

Senate the Congress the state houses the

city halls they got the judges in their

back pockets and they own all the big

media companies so they control just

about all of the news and information

you get to hear they got you by the

balls they spend billions of dollars

every year lobbying lobbying to get what

they want well we know what they want

they wanted more for themselves and less

for everybody else but I'll tell you

what they don't want they don't want a

population of citizens capable of

critical thinking they don't want well

informed well educated people capable of

critical thinking they're not actually

didn't met that doesn't help them that's

against their interests that's right

they don't want people who are smart

enough to sit around a kitchen table to

figure out how badly they're getting

[ __ ] by a system that threw them

overboard thirty [ __ ] years ago they

don't want that you know what they want

they want obedient workers obedient

workers people who are just smart enough

to run the machines and do the paperwork

I just dumb enough to passively accept

all these increasingly shittier jobs

with the lower pay the longer hours to

reduce benefits the end of overtime and

the vanishing pension that disappears

the minute you go to collect it and now

they're coming for your Social Security

money they want your [ __ ] retirement

money

they want it back so they can give it to

their criminal friends on Wall Street

and you know something they'll get it

they'll get it all from you sooner or

later because they own this [ __ ]

place it's a big club and you ain't in

it you and I are not in the big club by

the way it's the same big club they use

to beat you over the head with all day

long when they tell you what to believe

all day long beating you over the head

in their media telling you what to

believe what to think and what to buy

the table is tilted folks the game is

rigged and nobody seems to notice and

nobody seems to care good honest

hard-working people white-collar

blue-collar doesn't matter what color

shirt you have on good honest

hard-working people continue these are

people of modest means continue to elect

these rich [ __ ] suckers who don't give a

[ __ ] about them they don't give a [ __ ]

about you they don't give a [ __ ] about

you they don't care about you at all and

nobody seems to notice nobody seems to

care that's what the honors count on the

fact that Americans will probably remain

willfully ignorant of the big red white

and blue dick that's being jammed up

their [ __ ] everyday

because the owners of this country know

the truth it's called the American dream

because you have to be asleep to believe

it