As I said before, I don’t believe in god.  I have no religion.  I have no book of scriptures to look for meaning and solace.  The closest thing I have are comedians and quotes.  Reflecting, i realize some of the most meaningful and profound things I have read and heard have come from comedians and social satirists.  People talk about being inspired by politicians and religious leaders, being moved by their words and passion about life and affecting people.  When I think about moving words about life I think about the first time I read Bill Hicks’ rant on the world being nothing more than a ride.  When I think about moving word about affecting people think about Bill Cosby’s speech about people needing to lift themselves up instead of blaming others.   When I think about passion I think about Jon Stewart’s opening to The Daily Show when they resumed filming episodes after 9/11.

When I look for high level commentary on politics I have stopped listening to talking heads and people who’s income is based on ad hominem attacks and praying on the fears and prejudices of the public at large.  I look towards comedians like Lewis Black and Bill Maher who ignore the Left/Right Bullshit and cut issues down to size.  They call bullshit on the fake issues like gay marriage and flag burning and point out the absurdness that is modern politics.  They try and direct the focus away from the superficial and back to the important by ridiculing those who try and distract us from the real matters at hand.

Why are people who have dedicated their lives to telling joke more inspirational to me than people with social and political power?  I think its due to the fact that they are normal people with the ability to tell a joke.  I have read Lewis Black’s autobiography.  He grew up in a normal family, went to college, worked some shitty jobs and then worked his ass off to become a comedian.  Comedians tend not to be super attractive or be in the best of shape.  They look like people you work with and hang out with.  They lived normal lives.  They live above, or maybe below, the fray of politics and religion.  I don’t vote based on likability, I don’t want a leader lacking in leadership skills but seems like a guy I would get a beer with.  These are the qualities I look for in friends and it may be the reason I find them so inspiring.  They seem like people I would love to discuss politics and philosophy with over a few drinks.  They wouldn’t try and sell themselves or their weirs to you, they are more interested in expressing their thoughts and ideas.

Comedians are the storytellers of our generation.  They go from city to city saying their piece and spreading their word.  They don’t claim to be above us or beyond us.  They don’t say things with the intention of being profound.  They mearly speak hoping to reach someone, even if its one person, and make everyone laugh at the same time.  Dave Chappelle doesn’t tell jokes about the ghetto and racism just becuase its funny, he does it because its a social issue that he thinks about and found a way to intertwine it into his comedy.  So when it comes to people who inspire me and move me, I skip CNN and move right on past the 700 club.  I find my fix on Comedy Central.

**The reason I worte this** Patton Oswalt’s Graduation Speech