Al Goldstein Quotes

Powerful Al Goldstein for Daily Growth

About Al Goldstein

Al Goldstein (April 19, 1936 – October 18, 2013) was an American tabloid newspaper publisher, filmmaker, radio personality, and television host, known for his provocative and controversial style. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Goldstein dropped out of high school to pursue a career in journalism. In 1967, he co-founded the weekly newspaper "Screw," which became infamous for its explicit content, including adult-oriented articles, pornography, and political satire. The publication faced numerous legal battles, but Goldstein's brash and defiant approach earned him a loyal following. In 1975, Goldstein launched the late-night television program "Midnight Blue," which became one of the highest-rated shows on New York City's public access channel. His provocative interviews with celebrities, adult film stars, and political figures attracted both controversy and a large audience. Goldstein's influence extended beyond his publications and TV show. He was a regular guest on radio shows and made appearances in films such as "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (1981) and the cult classic "Cannonball Run II" (1984). Despite his notoriety, Goldstein faced numerous legal issues throughout his career. In 1976, he was arrested for selling obscene material; in 1983, he was indicted on charges of prostitution and tax evasion; and in the late '80s, he served a brief prison sentence for cocaine possession. Goldstein's life and work were marked by a relentless pursuit of free speech and a rejection of societal norms. His legacy continues to be debated, with some viewing him as a pioneer of adult entertainment and others as a crass and immoral figure. Regardless, Al Goldstein was undoubtedly one of the most controversial and influential figures in American media history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Morals don't sell papers."

This quote by Al Goldstein suggests that sensationalistic content, rather than upholding moral or ethical standards, tends to attract more readers or viewers in media outlets. In other words, when it comes to driving sales or engagement, exploitative, immoral, or controversial material often proves more effective than respectable or conservative reporting. This statement is insightful as it highlights the tension between the pursuit of profit and the maintenance of ethical principles in journalism and media industries.


"Anyone who matters doesn't read tabloids."

This quote by Al Goldstein suggests that people who are important or influential in society, or those with a more discerning taste in media, do not find value in tabloid publications. Tabloids, often characterized by sensational headlines, gossip, and celebrity news, are perceived as low-brow or lacking substance compared to other forms of journalism. The implication is that those who are truly significant or intellectually engaged do not waste their time with such shallow content.


"The First Amendment is the freedom to offend."

The quote by Al Goldstein, "The First Amendment is the freedom to offend," emphasizes the protection of free speech under U.S. law, which allows individuals to express ideas or opinions that may be offensive, controversial, or even disturbing to others without fear of censorship or punishment by the government. This principle upholds the value of open discourse and the exchange of diverse ideas in a democratic society, ensuring that citizens have the right to voice their opinions and engage in public debate, regardless of whether those opinions are popular or unpopular.


"I'm not a journalist. I'm a loudmouth with a big mouthpiece."

This quote by Al Goldstein suggests that he viewed himself as more of an outspoken individual using a large platform, rather than a traditional, impartial journalist. He likely used his position to express strong opinions and create attention-grabbing content, rather than objectively report facts or events.


"If you're not paying for it, you're the product."

This quote implies that if a service or product is free, then the user is actually the commodity being sold to advertisers or data collectors. In other words, your personal information, behavior, preferences, etc., are being harvested for profit without your direct payment. It's a stark reminder of the digital economy, where many platforms monetize their services by utilizing user data and attention.


Married life is an existence with bars around it.

- Al Goldstein

Existence, Married Life, Bars

For me working on the marriage and not making the easy choice of cheating was something that I could not do.

- Al Goldstein

Marriage, Making, Could, Cheating

If you cannot work on the marriage or the women is a moron, staying married and cheating makes the most sense because divorce is disruptive to the family life and your bank account.

- Al Goldstein

Work, Makes, Staying, Cheating

Married sex is like being awake during your own autopsy. It is root canal work without anesthetic.

- Al Goldstein

Work, Sex, Like, Anesthetic

There is a cliche that men want their women to be ladies in public and hookers behind closed doors. I want my woman to be the sharper image robot so that she can be turned off.

- Al Goldstein

Woman, Behind, Image, Ladies

You need fighters like me to battle, because frankly The New York Times and the Washington Post are not going to fight the fights that I do.

- Al Goldstein

New, Need, Like, Fighters

When every piece of furniture and your underwear are taken by the bank, when you lose your house in Florida, in New York, in Amsterdam and L.A., when your wife is dying and your son abandons you, you don't feel very good.

- Al Goldstein

Feel, Florida, Very, Underwear

Even though marriage is doomed, if you turned it into a job you like and really work at it - it can be salvaged.

- Al Goldstein

Like, Though, Turned, Doomed

I'm a crusader. I really believe in the First Amendment, and I use it fully, and I pay a price for that.

- Al Goldstein

Price, Amendment, Use, Fully

The only way marriage can work is if a man respects the woman and she is a thinking woman and he wants to work on the marriage.

- Al Goldstein

Marriage, Woman, She, Respects

Since fame is an illusion and death is in our future all we have is the next moment before we are swallowed into oblivion.

- Al Goldstein

Death, Next, Before, Oblivion

The true success is the person who invented himself.

- Al Goldstein

Success, Success Is, Himself, Invented

Our stock in trade is raw, flailing sex.

- Al Goldstein

Sex, Trade, Raw, Stock

Love is a deception and a trap. Love is as big a myth that God sits with his flowing white beard in a throne and looks at us.

- Al Goldstein

Love, Beard, Big, Love Is

I keep attacking the villains, the know-nothings, the people who want to take our freedoms away.

- Al Goldstein

Away, Villains, Take, Attacking

To date or not to date that is the question. It's almost as important as Shakespeare's to be or not to be which deals with death.

- Al Goldstein

Important, Date, Which, Shakespeare

Philosophy is an attempt by man to find cause and effect. Religion has the same goal.

- Al Goldstein

Goal, Find, Same, Philosophy

Our photographs are filthier and our stories are more disgusting. We make no effort to be artistic.

- Al Goldstein

More, Disgusting, Stories, Photographs

I refuse to be silenced.

- Al Goldstein

Silenced, Refuse

So, if anatomy is destiny then testosterone is doom.

- Al Goldstein

Destiny, Testosterone, Doom

Celebrity gives us delusion of self importance.

- Al Goldstein

Famous, Celebrity, Delusion

In reality there is no cause or effect, there is only the indifference of the universe.

- Al Goldstein

Universe, Indifference, Only, Effect

I am not a prisoner of my sexuality like men younger than myself although I write about being a prisoner.

- Al Goldstein

Sexuality, Like, I Write, Prisoner

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