Waste

George Constanza defines a “bum”

Here’s a tidbit from Scarlett Lindeman’s recent article in Gastronomica (reproduced in the Sept/Oct issue of the Utne Reader).  She takes this fragment of dialogue from the Seinfield Show in 1994 (The Gymnast episode).  Jerry sees that George has pulled an eclair out of the garbage dumpster:

Jerry: But it was in the cylinder.
George: Above the rim.
Jerry: Adjacent to refuse, is refuse.
George: It was on a magazine, and it still had the doily on it.
Jerry: Was it eaten?
George: One little bite.
Jerry: Well, that’s garbage.
George: I know who took the bite. It was her aunt.
Jerry: You, my friend, have crossed the line that divides MAN and BUM. You are now a BUM.
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About Eric M. Friedman

Eric Friedman is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City where he has recently launched a program in Environmental Studies. Eric serves as a peer-reviewer for the scholarly journal, Environmental Justice. As a civic entrepreneur, he works with public associations and non-profits to effect positive social and environmental change. Among the courses he has developed and taught are "Sociological Studies of Trash" and "Sociology of the Environment"; both invite students to consider the history of ideas, current environmental challenges, and waste as a heuristic for understanding our complex world .

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