George Carlin - PTSD Euphemisms

NO Copyright infringment intended!
George Carlin Talking about Shell Shock turning into PTSD
Not great, but the message is still true, enjoy :)

• Category

  Comedy

[paxpaul]

klutz951, thanks for posting this video, but why did you say "not great" in the description? This is one of Carlin's best, most pointed, most important, and most well-known commentaries! This is beyond great: It's legendary.

[klutz951]

Haha, I was talking about the video itself (had to throw it together in a few minutes for class). I agree, he is awesome and this is one of his best pieces. Sorry for the confusion

[Dethenger]

Which HBO Special is this from? It was one of my favorites, I can remember that much. I listened to it so many times that I could recite it word for word, so I decided to wait a few years before I listened to it again, so I'd forget it. That was in 2007. Now, I'm trying to find it again, because I obviously don't remember it as well as I used to.

[klutz951]

I don't know if it was an HBO special, but it's called Euphimisms, I just took this small part out :)

[SLACKER614]

i was in the US Army from 1979--1983...i went to the VA for help in 1987...they told me to get lost basically, they couldnt help me..in 2011 i was awarded full 100% PTSD disability w/ the military and w/ SSDI....to fellow vets out there never give up...if you are homeless in the Portland OR area i will drive you to the VA for help...Peace...

[Jason Carpp]

"Shell shock," "Battle Fatigue," "Operational Exhaustion," "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder." All different ways of talking about the same thing. Why do you reckon they change words to mean the same thing? I grew up hearing "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder," or "PTSD".

[Frappuccino1988]

Think about it, a bunch of 18 year old freshly graduated cocky boys is the perfect clean slate the military needs to insert it's program of whiners are pussies and pussies are cowards so therefore cowards are traitors. If you request to see a therapist during your military career enjoy the game of 20 questions and belittling insults and jabs at your manhood (or integrity; whatever that's worth now) Perhaps I had bad luck during my service, but all in all everyone has their own two cents I guess.

[Frappuccino1988]

Perhaps the condition needed to be accurately represented in psychological journals, and sociological statistics. Though as a veteran I must stress that it does take the brunt away from the condition, the use of PTSD makes it sound sterile, and often empowers the stigma that prevents most vets from seeking psychological treatment. Shell shock, sums it up for me; I can't even enjoy the 4th of July anymore without at least one incident of diving under my coffee table. It boils down to stigma.

[MisterMiyata]

I should add that George Carlin was a great comedian, but here he is wrong. The condition's name was changed, not to "soften the blow", but because it needed to accurately represent what the condition was. And, we believe it because he said it in a funny way, but do we really think that soldiers would have gotten better treatment if it was called shell shock? I'm pretty sure the people in charge weren't saying, "We REALLY want to help these people, but PSTD just doesn't sound serious."

[MisterMiyata]

This. As knowledge about the condition increased we began to more accurately define it. Continuing to call it shell shock would be inaccurate now, as people who never go in to battle can experience the same symptoms after a horrible trauma.

[putnitonwax]

You have nothing to be ashamed of Im a veteran with ptsd, things effect everyone diffrent. Doesn't matter If you have ptsd from combat or not.

[TheOtherLioyd]

Here come the downvotes: Carlin's wrong. Calling it PTSD is all about reality. It's about accurately describing the things that happen to the person it happens to. Is it also politically correct when scientists use meters instead of feet?

[emetatron]

I have PTSD from a traumatic medical experience. I hate that soldiers are lumped into a category with me because I feel that they have been through something way more traumatic than me. Also, people get way too offended by way too many words these days which is why euphemisms are being overused. PS - WWI was almost 100 years ago, not 90.

[BlackFeather713]

@Spiffinjiffy actually that's exactly what I meant, I'm sorry Iwasn't clear. you're absolutely right and this man is horribly ignorant