Author:Casey
Email:KC@Jones.com
Date:1998/08/16
I have often wondered if Kurt Vonnegut has influenced me towards the socio-
political views I now hold or if I already held them and his literature has
only reinforced my views. Many times I have read a passage he has written
and thought, "Shit, That's how I feel. I wish I could have said it that
well."
The danger in becoming a fan is that one tends to give one's hero the status
of Guru. Having done that it is easy to let our guru do our thinking for
us. There are so many people out there who want (or need?) to hand over the
key to their intellect to someone else. Thinking for yourself is hard. I
compare it to George Carlin's assessment of making a new path as opposed to
following one that is already there. You have to hold the grass down
yourself at first.
Does anyone in this newsgroup know if KV appreciates letters from his
readers? I have often wanted to write to thank him for giving himself to the
printed page and allowing me to see inside his brain. Does anyone know
what address to send such a letter to?
Thanks,
Casey
Intellectual proletariat - member no 4,365,201,336
harperdenospam@fan.net.au
Author:YRahyar
Email:yrahyar@aol.com
Date:1998/08/16
>I have often wondered if Kurt Vonnegut has influenced me towards the socio-
>political views I now hold or if I already held them and his literature has
>only reinforced my views.
Probably a little of both. For me, at least, Vonnegut's non-fiction writing
(Palm Sunday etc.) has probably done more to reinforce beliefs that I already
had, or clearly define views I had a tendency towards but couldn't really
codify (that's a word, "codify"? I think it is). As for his novels, though, I
have to admit that SH-5, Cat's Cradle and God Bless You Mr. Rosewater probably
singlehandedly established my worldview.
Although maybe that's only because I read all three while I was still young
enough not to have a previously existing worldview. Hmm.
--yama rahyar;-)
Author:Hazelrah55
Email:hazelrah55@aol.com
Date:1998/08/16
Has anyone ever heard of an author by the name of Daniel Quinn, he wrote a book
called Ishmeal, among others. Well, I'm a fan of his. I like his ideas, a
lot. And am always intrested in anything he writes. But, I don't agree with
everything he says, nor do I require him to form conclutions on my own.
Right now your probably thinking, why the heck am I telling you this. Settle
down, I'm getting to that part.
I was recently at Daniel Quinns website (for those of you who care, it's
www.bnetwork.com), anyways, it amazed me at how many people who had signed the
guestbook on that site, revered(sp?) him as a god. It was like I was in the
home page of a cult, no kidding. Plus they were asking him questions about the
most minor things, and what HE thought about everything. What does Daniel
think? It was very scary. The site itself is rather neat, but I think it's
starting to go to Mr. Quinn's head, because some of the things he was saying
were way out of form for him, and sounded extremely ego-centric.
Again, your probably thinking, 'Shut Up. I don't care.' Well, that's alright,
because I don't care either.
Tony Petrangelo
Author:Fandar
Email:FileuelGOAWAY@pacbell.net
Date:1998/08/17
One of the reasons I like Vonnegut is that his social and political
views run closely with mine. I enjoy being exposed to new ideas, chosing
which ones I like or think will work and adapting them to my ideologies.
His ideas regarding extended familys have been important to me. But I
havent adopted his whole theory, just parts and added them to my ideas
on strong family ties and cummunal living. I am a socialist, Vonnegut
helped, but I was already on the road there. I am also a prude when
compared to Vonnegut. So no, I havent fallen into the trap of making him
a guru. Just a fellow human who I can gain ideas from
Fandar
When replying remove GOAWAY.
Author:FIXEDmyCAT
Email:fixedmycat@aol.com
Date:1998/08/18
>One of the reasons I like Vonnegut is that his social and political
>views run closely with mine.
Yeah, but KV also appeals to people who disagree with some of his politics. I
am a conservative at heart. I voted for Bob Dole and I'd do it again.
Nonetheless, I believe that KV is writing from his heart. Since his
politics aren't "politically motivated," that puts him a step above all the
politicians in the world. He is saying what he belives is true, not what he
thinks the current majority wants to hear. I disagree with some of his
politics, but I am smart enough to know that he's still a wise man and I will
continue to learn from him.
(PS - PLEASE LET'S NOT GET INTO A POLITICAL FLAMEFEST HERE. I DON'T WANT TO
ARGUE POLITICS, AS THAT IS ONLY FUN IN PERSON! :) I JUST WANTED TO SHOW THAT
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CONSERVATIVES TO LOVE K.V. TOO!)
Darrell
Author:Eccles9697
Email: eccles9697@aol.com
Date:1998/08/18
>I JUST WANTED TO SHOW THAT
>IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CONSERVATIVES TO LOVE K.V. TOO!
Well good for you! :) Of course, I knew that already, since both my father
(extremely conservative and listening to Rush Limbaugh as we speak) and my
German teacher, who is a conservative and a Catholic Chrisitian type are fans
of Vonnegut's, so there ya go. Vonnegut's ideas that impress me are not
political, they are statements on people and the human condition and things
much more important than petty political matters. I think that opinions are
good or bad on their own without regard to the person's politics.
Dagny
Author:Casey
Email:KC@Jones.com
Date:1998/08/19
>Yeah, but KV also appeals to people who disagree with some of his politics.
>I am a conservative at heart
I have a friend who is an engineer working in the weapons industry. He is a
Vonnegut fan. Go figure.
Casey
