[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fZFGGYLv906PoIOWSWZX07k4c1xLfdDekj-pwzA0HCxE":3,"$fApFQnePbIfBLxico-LKSAgyrvydzRbYp7a8yIR4g4n8":49},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},3317,"Bill Hicks","B",377,null,"bill-hicks",[12,16,20,24,28,32,35,39,42,46],{"tag_id":13,"tag_name":14,"tag_count":15},56,"thinking",20,{"tag_id":17,"tag_name":18,"tag_count":19},63,"funny",17,{"tag_id":21,"tag_name":22,"tag_count":23},3,"humor",16,{"tag_id":25,"tag_name":26,"tag_count":27},2955,"believe",9,{"tag_id":29,"tag_name":30,"tag_count":31},396,"america",8,{"tag_id":33,"tag_name":34,"tag_count":31},576,"humour",{"tag_id":36,"tag_name":37,"tag_count":38},179,"comedy",6,{"tag_id":40,"tag_name":41,"tag_count":38},1225,"drugs",{"tag_id":43,"tag_name":44,"tag_count":45},270,"philosophy",5,{"tag_id":47,"tag_name":48,"tag_count":45},496,"war",{"quotes":50,"pagination":113},[51,58,64,70,76,83,89,95,101,107],{"id":52,"quote_text":53,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":55,"source":56,"quote_tag":57,"commentary":9},2888298,"And if I can take part in it by transforming my own consciousness, then someone else’s, I’m happy to do it.",false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":59,"quote_text":60,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":61,"source":62,"quote_tag":63,"commentary":9},2888295,"Let’s do some comedy. I always like to add some comedy to my show. Those who’ve seen me before might know that.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":65,"quote_text":66,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":67,"source":68,"quote_tag":69,"commentary":9},2888292,"I love talking about the Kennedy assassination. The reason I do is because I’m fascinated by it. I’m fascinated that our government could lie to us so blatantly, so obviously for so long, and we do absolutely nothing about it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":71,"quote_text":72,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":73,"source":74,"quote_tag":75,"commentary":9},2888290,"Sometimes you feel in control, and it’s great, but sometimes you just don’t feel in control and you really have to struggle to get laughs.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":77,"quote_text":78,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":79,"source":80,"quote_tag":81,"commentary":82},2888287,"Freebird, the mantra of the moron.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nBill Hicks, an American stand-up comedian and social critic, often critiqued the superficiality and conformity of modern society. The quote \"Freebird, the mantra of the moron\" likely originated from his live performances in the late 1980s and early 1990s, where he frequently targeted the overuse and misuse of Lynyrd Skynyrd's song \"Free Bird\" as a form of in-group identification and anti-intellectualism. During this time, Hicks was grappling with the disillusionment of the Reagan era and the rise of mass media's influence on culture.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a subtle yet profound critique of groupthink and the dangers of uncritical conformity. By labeling \"Free Bird\" as the \"mantra of the moron,\" Hicks highlights how even seemingly innocuous cultural touchstones can be co-opted and used to mask intellectual laziness and a lack of critical thinking. This sentiment speaks to the tension between individuality and conformity, suggesting that even our most cherished cultural icons can be used to reinforce ignorance and close-mindedness.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider the ways in which your own cultural references and group affiliations might be masking intellectual laziness or a lack of critical thinking. Be willing to question and challenge the assumptions underlying your own cultural identity, and seek out diverse perspectives and ideas to deepen your understanding of the world.",{"id":84,"quote_text":85,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":86,"source":87,"quote_tag":88,"commentary":9},2888285,"I can speak for every guy in this room here tonight. Guys, if you could blow yourselves, ladies, you’d be in this room alone right now. Watching an empty stage.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":90,"quote_text":91,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":92,"source":93,"quote_tag":94,"commentary":9},2888282,"Truly, the only stupid people I’ve ever met, the most absolutely clueless, are the very people that produce television.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":96,"quote_text":97,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":98,"source":99,"quote_tag":100,"commentary":9},2888281,"People in the United Kingdom and outside the United States share my bemusement with the United States that America doesn’t share with itself.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":102,"quote_text":103,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":104,"source":105,"quote_tag":106,"commentary":9},2888274,"The whole image is that eternal suffering awaits anyone who questions God’s infinite love. That’s the message we’re brought up with, isn’t it? Beleive or die! Thank you, forgiving Lord, for all those options.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":108,"quote_text":109,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":54,"author":110,"source":111,"quote_tag":112,"commentary":9},2888267,"Hitler had the right idea, he was just an underachiever.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":114,"totalPages":115,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":116},1,38,10]