Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007)

cmccarten · Apr 11, 2007, 11:22 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/bo...agewanted=2&hp

it was a pleasure to read you. thanks for introducing me to the world of ideas when i was just a young boy.

from cat's cradle
"Tiger got to hunt
Bird got to fly
Man got to sit and wonder 'Why, why, why?'

Tiger got to sleep
Bird got to land
Man got to tell himself he understand.”

and from man without a country (a really stirring and emotional read)
"When the last living thing
has died on account of us,
how poetical it would be
if Earth could say,
in a voice floating up
perhaps
from the floor
of the Grand Canyon,
“It is done.”
People did not like it here."

SMM · Apr 11, 2007, 11:35 PM

What a trip. Today when I was posting on the un-American thread, I thought of using his Tralagafornians as an example of people who cover their ears, and make loud sounds, so they would not have to listen to untruths. However, I did not know how to spell 'Tralagafornians' (still do not), and did not want to have to explain who they were. But, it got me thinking about Kurt. I had a very enjoyable 2+ hour muse about the man and his writing. Thanks for sharing, Kurt! I really enjoyed taking those journeys with you. RIP!

solvs · Apr 11, 2007, 11:58 PM

One of my favorite authors. I loved his style. Still have a book he wrote on how to be a better writer. Changed my life.

Just saw him on the Daily Show not too long ago. He didn't look so good, but was still able to get out a few zingers. He will definitely be missed.

So it goes...

IJ Reilly · Apr 12, 2007, 12:07 AM

Anybody who could invent Bokononism can't be all bad.

Bon voyage, Kurt Vonnegut.

Am3822 · Apr 12, 2007, 05:55 AM

Kurt Vonnegut dies at 84

A sad day.

miloblithe · Apr 12, 2007, 06:49 AM

Indeed. Great writer. Definitely one of my favorites when I was younger.

Sdashiki · Apr 12, 2007, 07:52 AM

Sigh.

Abstract · Apr 12, 2007, 07:58 AM

Are there any great writers around right now to take his place in our world? What, no volunteers?

localoid · Apr 12, 2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Am3822

Kurt Vonnegut dies at 84

He's not dead. He's just "unstuck in time."

Quote:

A sad day.

For those of us still "stuck"... yes.

jruc4871 · Apr 12, 2007, 08:53 AM

"The most important thing I learned on Tralfamadore was that when a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the
past, so it is very silly for people to cry at his funeral. All moments, past, present, and future, always have existed, always will
exist. The Tralfamadorians can look at all the different moments just the way we can look at a stretch of the Rocky Mountains, for instance. They can see how permanent all the moments are, and they can look at any moment that interests them. It is just an illusion we have here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone it is gone forever.

"When a Tralfamadorian sees a corpse, all he thinks is that the dead person is in bad condition at that particular moment, but that the
same person is just fine in plenty of other moments. Now, when I myself hear that somebody is dead, I simply shrug and say what the
Tralfamadorians say about dead people, which is 'So it goes.'"

- Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Slaughterhouse-Five

RedTomato · Apr 12, 2007, 10:48 AM

Enjoy your trip to Traflamadore, Kurt.

I wrote various sci-fi / imaginative stories inspired by you when I was a teenager.

You've contributed to my feelings of 'oddness' as I sit in modern society, looking at the absurdities and kind humanities around me.

So it goes.

RIP.

princealfie · Apr 12, 2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abstract

Are there any great writers around right now to take his place in our world? What, no volunteers?

Of course, we have many

Cormac McCarthy
Don Delillo
Thomas Pynchon

and many others out of this country

Vladimir Sorokin, etc. etc.

IJ Reilly · Apr 12, 2007, 11:39 AM

I heard Vonnegut say many years ago that he never revised anything he wrote, that it all came out the first time just as he wanted it. Possibly this was a function of his view of life as an array of random events and tragicomic anarchy, but it always amazed me nonetheless. It takes tremendous discipline, talent and courage for a writer to say "this is as perfect as it gets" with a first draft -- and produce good and even great writing as a result.

Sdashiki · Apr 12, 2007, 12:05 PM

One could at least say, he had a way with words.

So it goes.

mac 2005 · Apr 12, 2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abstract

Are there any great writers around right now to take his place in our world? What, no volunteers?

There are great writers, but I daresay that Vonnegut's combination of laugh-out-loud humor, inconsolable despair, righteous anger and boundless compassion is unique in ways that will probably never be equaled.

synth3tik · Apr 12, 2007, 05:25 PM

Second only to Burroughs in my opinion. One of the few writers that could really get me involved with writing.

IJ Reilly · Apr 12, 2007, 05:54 PM

Only a dozen posts to mark the passing of the great Kurt Vonnegut. Ah well. I suppose he never did appear on American Idol.

skunk · Apr 12, 2007, 05:59 PM

RIP. Another victim of a synchronoclastic infundibulum, I fear.

rdowns · 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IJ Reilly

Only a dozen posts to mark the passing of the great Kurt Vonnegut. Ah well. I suppose he never did appear on American Idol.

or call anyone a nappy headed ho.

RIP Mr. Vonnegut- thanks for the great reads.

I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.
Kurt Vonnegut

Abstract · Apr 12, 2007, 06:33 PM

Don Delillo
[/QUOTE]

Don't know about the other 2 guys, but Don.......ewwwwww.

solvs · Apr 12, 2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IJ Reilly

Only a dozen posts to mark the passing of the great Kurt Vonnegut.

Only a handful in the other thread too.

As I said in that one, he was one of my favorite authors. I loved his style. Still have a book he wrote on how to be a better writer. Changed my life.

Just saw him on the Daily Show not too long ago. He didn't look so good, but was still able to get out a few zingers. He will definitely be missed.

So it goes...

polevault139 · Apr 12, 2007, 06:45 PM

I have bever personally read any of his books, but a friend of mine absolutley loves him. I think I will have to pick up some of his books. Its pretty depressing however to see such an acclaimed writer die. From what I've read lately there arent too many modern day writers that I like as much as some older ones.

thedude110 · Apr 12, 2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solvs

So it goes...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTomato

So it goes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdashiki

So it goes.

Everything I've come here to say.

So it goes.

MartyMoe · Apr 12, 2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IJ Reilly

Only a dozen posts to mark the passing of the great Kurt Vonnegut. Ah well. I suppose he never did appear on American Idol.

I just was very busy today and didn't get a chance to post.

He will definitely be missed; while I didn't read all of his works, the stuff I did was very thought-provoking. Just as one example, I recently came across a reference to him and his Ice-Nine, that re-forms what it touches into forming into similar patterns, in reference to Prions.

His ideas will still be around.

And I think "so it goes" is the perfect tribute and he would approve-- and laugh.

Teh Don Ditty · Apr 12, 2007, 10:13 PM

RIP Vonnegut. Thanks for the reads and the inspiration.

So It Goes

Apr 11, 2007, 11:22 PM	#1
cmccarten macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2006	Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/bo...agewanted=2&hp it was a pleasure to read you. thanks for introducing me to the world of ideas when i was just a young boy. from cat's cradle "Tiger got to hunt Bird got to fly Man got to sit and wonder 'Why, why, why?' Tiger got to sleep Bird got to land Man got to tell himself he understand.” and from man without a country (a really stirring and emotional read) "When the last living thing has died on account of us, how poetical it would be if Earth could say, in a voice floating up perhaps from the floor of the Grand Canyon, “It is done.” People did not like it here."
	0

Apr 11, 2007, 11:35 PM	#2
SMM macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tiger Mountain - WA State	What a trip. Today when I was posting on the un-American thread, I thought of using his Tralagafornians as an example of people who cover their ears, and make loud sounds, so they would not have to listen to untruths. However, I did not know how to spell 'Tralagafornians' (still do not), and did not want to have to explain who they were. But, it got me thinking about Kurt. I had a very enjoyable 2+ hour muse about the man and his writing. Thanks for sharing, Kurt! I really enjoyed taking those journeys with you. RIP! __________________ Eagles may soar in the clouds, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines. - Jason Hutchison and John Benfield
	0

Apr 11, 2007, 11:58 PM	#3
solvs macrumors 601 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: LaLaLand, CA	One of my favorite authors. I loved his style. Still have a book he wrote on how to be a better writer. Changed my life. Just saw him on the Daily Show not too long ago. He didn't look so good, but was still able to get out a few zingers. He will definitely be missed. So it goes... __________________ True love never dies The only thing more dangerous than a woman scorned, is a man with nothing left to lose...
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 12:07 AM	#4
IJ Reilly macrumors G5 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Palookaville	Anybody who could invent Bokononism can't be all bad. Bon voyage, Kurt Vonnegut. __________________ **The season starts too early and finishes too late and there are too many games in between.* Bill Veeck
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 05:55 AM	#5
Am3822 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Groningen, The Netherlands	Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) Kurt Vonnegut dies at 84 A sad day.
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 06:49 AM	#6
miloblithe macrumors 68020 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington, DC	Indeed. Great writer. Definitely one of my favorites when I was younger.
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 07:52 AM	#7
Sdashiki macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 9th Circle most of the time	Sigh. __________________ The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do. - B. F. Skinner Like Polaroid?
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 07:58 AM	#8
Abstract macrumors G3 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location Location	Are there any great writers around right now to take his place in our world? What, no volunteers? __________________ "Hard? It's supposed to be hard. Hard is what makes it great!" - Tom Hanks.
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 08:53 AM	#10
jruc4871 macrumors regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington, DC	A friend of mine dug this up... "The most important thing I learned on Tralfamadore was that when a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past, so it is very silly for people to cry at his funeral. All moments, past, present, and future, always have existed, always will exist. The Tralfamadorians can look at all the different moments just the way we can look at a stretch of the Rocky Mountains, for instance. They can see how permanent all the moments are, and they can look at any moment that interests them. It is just an illusion we have here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone it is gone forever. "When a Tralfamadorian sees a corpse, all he thinks is that the dead person is in bad condition at that particular moment, but that the same person is just fine in plenty of other moments. Now, when I myself hear that somebody is dead, I simply shrug and say what the Tralfamadorians say about dead people, which is 'So it goes.'" - Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Slaughterhouse-Five
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 10:48 AM	#11
RedTomato macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: .. London ..	Enjoy your trip to Traflamadore, Kurt. I wrote various sci-fi / imaginative stories inspired by you when I was a teenager. You've contributed to my feelings of 'oddness' as I sit in modern society, looking at the absurdities and kind humanities around me. So it goes. RIP.
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 11:39 AM	#13
IJ Reilly macrumors G5 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Palookaville	I heard Vonnegut say many years ago that he never revised anything he wrote, that it all came out the first time just as he wanted it. Possibly this was a function of his view of life as an array of random events and tragicomic anarchy, but it always amazed me nonetheless. It takes tremendous discipline, talent and courage for a writer to say "this is as perfect as it gets" with a first draft -- and produce good and even great writing as a result. __________________ **The season starts too early and finishes too late and there are too many games in between.* Bill Veeck
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 12:05 PM	#14
Sdashiki macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 9th Circle most of the time	One could at least say, he had a way with words. So it goes. __________________ The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do. - B. F. Skinner Like Polaroid?
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 05:25 PM	#16
synth3tik macrumors 68040 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN	Second only to Burroughs in my opinion. One of the few writers that could really get me involved with writing. __________________ Come check out my music! http://www.batteriesarentfood.com http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/BatteriesarentFood
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 05:54 PM	#17
IJ Reilly macrumors G5 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Palookaville	Only a dozen posts to mark the passing of the great Kurt Vonnegut. Ah well. I suppose he never did appear on American Idol. __________________ **The season starts too early and finishes too late and there are too many games in between.* Bill Veeck
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 05:59 PM	#18
skunk macrumors G4 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Republic of Ukistan	RIP. Another victim of a synchronoclastic infundibulum, I fear. __________________ "The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted the spoons." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 06:33 PM	#20
Abstract macrumors G3 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location Location	Don Delillo [/QUOTE] Don't know about the other 2 guys, but Don.......ewwwwww. __________________ "Hard? It's supposed to be hard. Hard is what makes it great!" - Tom Hanks.
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 06:45 PM	#22
polevault139 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Illinois	I have bever personally read any of his books, but a friend of mine absolutley loves him. I think I will have to pick up some of his books. Its pretty depressing however to see such an acclaimed writer die. From what I've read lately there arent too many modern day writers that I like as much as some older ones. __________________ 17" C2D iMac, 2.16GHz Blackbook, iMac G3 400MHz Become a member of the Macrumors.com folding Team! "Give me my, Give me my wings"
	0

Apr 12, 2007, 10:13 PM	#25
Teh Don Ditty macrumors G4 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Maryland	RIP Vonnegut. Thanks for the reads and the inspiration. So It Goes __________________ I heard that Steve Job's Kool-Aid fueled Unicorn craps rainbows which emits the RDF. Disgusting
	0

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