Paul Krassner
Paul Krassner
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Paul Gregory Krassner was born on September 5, 1929, in New York City.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: September 5, 1929
Died: January 21, 2021
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Krassner was an American writer, editor, activist, and comedian. He is best known for co-founding the satirical magazine _The Realist_ in 1958.
Early Life and Background
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Paul Krassner grew up in a middle-class Jewish family in New York City's Upper West Side. His father was a dentist, and his mother was a homemaker. As a young man, Krassner attended the University of Chicago but dropped out after two years to pursue a career in writing.
Major Accomplishments
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Krassner's most notable achievement is probably co-founding _The Realist_ magazine in 1958 with L.A. Weekly founder Jay Kinney. The magazine was known for its biting satire and anti-establishment views, making it an influential publication of the counterculture movement.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Krassner's notable works include:
The Winner_ (1965): A collection of satirical essays that critiques American culture.
One Toke Over the Line (1972): An expose on marijuana use in the United States.
* Who Really Got Scrooged? (1990): A critique of the media's portrayal of the counterculture movement.
Krassner was also an outspoken advocate for social justice and human rights. He was a vocal critic of government policies, particularly those related to civil liberties and drug laws.
Impact and Legacy
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Paul Krassner played a significant role in shaping American satire and counterculture. His writing and activism continue to inspire new generations of writers, activists, and comedians. As a pioneer of alternative media, Krassner paved the way for independent publications that challenged mainstream norms.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Krassner's impact on American culture is undeniable. His unapologetic critique of mainstream values and his unwavering commitment to social justice have made him a beloved figure in counterculture circles. As a writer, editor, activist, and comedian, Krassner embodied the spirit of rebellion that defines the era he helped shape.
Throughout his long and distinguished career, Paul Krassner continued to challenge societal norms and push boundaries through his writing and activism. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of satire and counterculture in shaping American culture and inspiring positive change.
Quotes by Paul Krassner
As long as the government can arbitrarily decide which substances are legal and which are illegal, then those who remain behind bars for illegal substances are political prisoners.
I guess I’m a spiritual secularist, if that’s not an oxymoron. My paths of secularism and spirituality are the same: I try to do the appropriate thing at each moment.
People don’t like to be lectured to, but if you can make them laugh, their defenses come down, and for the time being they’ve accepted whatever truth is embedded in your humor.
I am neither for conformity nor non-conformity. I am for individuality. If one’s individuality is in effect non-conformity, then so be it. But basically, one’s individuality consists of conformity – to one’s self.
For years, reality has been nipping at the heels of satire. Now, it’s finally caught up. I don’t need to make this stuff up.
Since I was both an atheist and an absurdist, I had decided that the most absurd thing I could do would be to develop an intimate relationship with the God I didn’t believe in.
As long as the government can arbitrarily decide which substances are legal and which are illegal, then those who remain behind bars for illegal substances are political prisoners
