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Yeah, it's nice to be a Vonnegut and be able to afford to dance. But non-Vonnegut animals have to spin wheels and push levers for a third of their lives, they barely have time to order some kibble online, forget the time to dance.

Nice! Thank you Lauren.🩷

One of my favorite authors. Doesn’t have a bad book to his name. God bless you Mr Vonnegut

I still remember people flaming me on the dead bird site, when I suggested that Vonnegut's wife would've maybe appreciated him running a few errands while he was out instead of just dicking around and coming back with a single envelope.

Its the movement and the socialisation and just being

I'm at an age where I find myself just sitting and waiting around for something to happen. So thank you for this, I'm getting off my arse and just going to go for a walk where people are and say hello and nod passing stranger's. Who knows I might just make something happen myself.

Brilliant observation

Great writer, yes. Enjoyed his books. That response about the envelope is rather telling .... But one wonders if his wife had the time to enjoy a walk to the store. 2 wives, 3 natural children and 4 adopted. Usually, child rearing/care falls solely on the wife. Not trying to be snarky ....

people work so much that convenience has become the most precious commodity and it is sad

God l love Vonnegut 🥰 May he rest in paradise or on Titan😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

Or, you could order a box of envelopes online and still go out and do all those things. You don’t have to make a project. But point taken.

Who puts their envelopes in the closet?

I get him. I could buy a book of stamps, but I go to the post office to mail my letters and cards (yeah, I do that. make cards. write letters.) And now, the two women who work there consider me a "regular". Which I don't know it that's cool or not but it's nice.

Life totally changes for the better in a way that’s almost impossible to explain when you move to a place where you can walk to a real grocery store.

❤️

I guess the next question is why was he able to tell this to everyone except his wife? 🤔

I love Vonnegut but yeah no. I don't want to be around people and fire engines and babies.

Love this. So true, these pleasures.

perfect...

This is some good insight, but it sounds like he and his wife don’t get along very well. Like why didn’t he explain to her why he preferred to go out and buy a single envelope? Or invite her along and make an afternoon of it to enjoy together? Instead, he pretends not to hear her.

Don't know if this is real or not, but it sure hits like vintage Vonnegut.

That must be why my husband goes to his grocery store and I go to mine (stores) 🤣

I dance with computer on my face 🤦

I think about this most day.

I agree with the gist of this quote, but I hate that he ignored his wife instead of being honest with her about what he was up to.

Indeed.

Man in Tutu Does a Happy DanceALT: Man in Tutu Does a Happy Dancestatic.klipy.com

Kurt's on my very short list of the world's most wonderful people (so is his brother Bernie)

This is so true ❤️

The world started going to hell when young people stopped reading Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Even Kurt would want to close the bunker door behind him after seeing the vast free-range Arkham Asylum we're living in today.

I live and work in Manhattan. And there's a plaque people with their face in their phones as they walk around. Especially tourists. And all I can think is, you are in FRICKEN NYC! And you aren't even looking. You are missing so much looking at your phone the whole time.

Dance, y'all.

And so it goes.

This is why my husband buys a £4 loaf of bread from the baker; part of it is the competition of getting there before his favourite loaf is sold out.

Thanks for sharing this (and those who shared links to article/video). I've been grumbling about people getting lazy about every damn thing but maybe it's more Vonnegut's sentiment that I'm feeling. We're animals meant to move + interact + experience the world, not to sit about as life passes by.

Counterpoint from Chat GPT: 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑏𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦. 𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡?

We miss you . Not many like you with your treasure trove of wisdom regarding the insanity of the world. He would not be surprised about whats going on right now, not at all…..

Vonnegut. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

One of my favourite authors.🤣

One of my favorite quotes, from the Vonnegut Library in Indianapolis

Every day when we go to work and feel the pressure of productivity, does anyone ever stop to think, why are we in such a hurry? We should be working to live, not the other way around. And we shouldn't be working to make someone else rich while we struggle with austerity.

excellent It's why I never use Amazon or online supermarkets

many years ago I worked briefly for his wife, Jill, as an assistant. I met him a few times. She was a mean person to work for. I saw his top floor writing room, which was exciting.

He understood the balance of accepting technology and keeping it at bay.

The wisdom of Kurt V...

I need to get back into reading Vonnegut again

And this man felt that he was not qualified to write comedy for Bob and Ray.

A wise philosopher once said: “I need the whole stadium to jump. Put your phone down, let's get all the fun”

Nice

@kylie-jordan.bsky.social

Love this!

I love to dance and fart around

Quote from Vonnegut, “ rule number one, always be kind”!

"We're dancing animals" I can dig that. Well, lets say "splash that".

Видео

Weird, I posted the same quote earlier today. bsky.app/profile/prui...

And somehow I cannot forgive him for killing the cat in "Player Piano."

One is diminished; not having seen life through KVjr's words. ✌️💙

I get this, but I dunno, there's always a reason to go out (food, etc), but when you do, you might bump into another of Kurt's, I think, even wiser observations: "bad chemicals and bad ideas are the yin and yang of madness."

Every time I see this I’m reminded of the delightful family-owned downtown store with artistic window displays where you could buy a single envelope. It didn’t survive Covid. Actually, buying a pack of envelopes at any brick and mortar store in this town is now far more difficult than it should be.

Not a big fan of men because they invented farting around. A woman of any stripe is far more interesting. Https://flodombey.com

When I was a kid I tried to organise my life for maximum efficiency. Now I organise it for maximum pootling around.

Moral of the story- Go out to a store to buy your next computer.

Perfect.

I enjoyed this book.

I feel sad when I walk past a "restaurant" and half the people are on touch screens ordering, and the other half are on their mobile phones whilst waiting.

You don't need an envelope to do all that. But he doesn't see that part. 🤷‍♂️ And, it's heads on the same coin.

Hahaha ha!

God I love that man 😢

I got to meet him once, and even talk to to him briefly. I am still quite proud.

A. Fucking. Men.

If you have not seen it, check out movie version of Slaughterhouse 5. You might have to dig for it, but it is old school Hollywood at its best and it's a great movie. www.imdb.com/title/tt0069...

He’s my fav, all time.

Thank you for this. What is the reference, please?

Wise words that should be spoken to all inhabitants from young to old.

What a wonderful recitation. I met Mr. Vonnegut when I was in HS, my English lit teacher was a friend, and he was in Boulder for some odd reason and made time to come talk to her classes that day. Must have been 1982 or 1983. In hindsight it makes sense that we had read Slaughterhouse Five earlier.

💙💙💙💙💙

That quote is from an essay he delivered at the McBurney Y or someplace. It goes on to describe a fantastic interaction with a store clerk where he bought the envelope.

The absolute best refutation for #AI in the creative arts I've ever read. I want AI to clean my toilet and talk to customer service for me. I don't want it putting Morgan Freeman out of work.

What a nice thought.

My favorite author.

Read maestro Vonnegut as a teen - fucked me up in a good bad way! (Not to mention Valerie Perrine on screen)

Sometimes Kurt’s seeing some great-looking babies, sometimes he’s seeing some great-looking babes. Depends on the transcription.

A good one, thanks! (Even if HE didn't actually say it.) 😄😄😄👍😘🎯🫡

That last line hit like a train, especially after watching an old Fred Astaire clip this morning. Men and women just don’t dance anymore, and that feels like such a defeat of humanity.

I remain disappointed that the Vonnegut estate has never sued Walmart for modding his drawing of an asshole for their modernized logo

I stinking love this. I’m going to buy an envelope in person

Delicious, and thanks Lauren

Great post. Ty

The finest product the Hoosier state has ever produced. God I need to go on a Vonnegut bender.

Was this Timequake?

Too much AI - joie

Maintaining or trying to maintain joint de vivre.

(Vonnegut is my favorite author. I am currently re-reading Breakfast of Champions. He and my grandfather were both in the 106th infantry and were both captured at the battle of the bulge. They had similar thoughts on war and on life. Even though my grandfather basically never spoke about the war)

Yes but for us reclusive introvert types who may or may not like people as much those things are not as big of draws x3

This is from a man without a country and I would highly recommend this book.

My cousin (through marriage -- they're now divorced) wrote the Vonnegut Encyclopedia. Just thought I would give it a plug here... www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/200390...

The Vonnegut Encyclopedia by Marc Leeds: 9780385344234 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: BooksNow expanded and updated, this authorized compendium to Kurt Vonnegut’s novels, stories, essays, and plays is the most comprehensive and definitive edition to date. Over the course of five decades,.....www.penguinrandomhouse.com

"Then I got home, realized I forgot to buy the envelope, so I took one from the stack in the closet.

Honestly, he still should have bought 100 as going to Staples is not what it used to be.

And then he gets shot in a massive casualty event at the local hardware store or arrested and deported for the color of his skin. Yes, it used to be great to be an old white guy.

www.goodreads.com/quotes/12020...

A quote by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.(talking about when he tells his wife he’s going out to buy an envelope) Oh, she says well, you’re not a poor man. You know, why don’t you go online and ...www.goodreads.com

Vonnegut was a true inspiration!

I do be doing this when my hubby asks me with puppy eyes on mint chocolates

This makes my blood boil.😡

Vonnegut lived in Manhattan at the end of his life so hob-bobbing with people would have been pleasant. If he’d stayed in blood-red fascist Indiana— meeting neighbors would have been toxic and dangerous. 🤦🏻‍♂️🚩🚩🚩

Damn! That’s beautiful and I’ll Dance To That! Note: I was asked a few times today “what kind of dog is that?” I was only to glad to respond.

Oh god. I love this.

😂

So evocative. Nicely done, Lauren.

My dad did the same thing except he was always out 'mailing a letter'. We laughed because we knew what it meant.

Good old Kurt.

That whole essay is fantastic. This quote such a twee cutout from several pages of him arguing that all kind and considerate humans should inherently be socialist.

So many simple, perfect lessons 💜

Bread crumbed 😘

Touche'

I want to remember how to live in a more analog manner. It's time to slow things down to a more human/humane pace.

It’s sad the impact of online in small towns. It’s like a cancer. Slow at first then nothing left and everything is dead. Just terrible.

I hike up mountains in Colorado, and dance! Great post!

Man was he right.

'Just $20? Why you only ever buy $20...?' I would have this exchange with a number of street corner capitalists peddling poison. I'm a social bird o' paradise and in a couple hours I will meet another lovely entrepreneur pushin' piedra and I want to say something witty and charming to her too now...

So true

Absolutely spot on!

And so it goes

He died in 2007.

Just popping out to buy an envelope...

brilliant.

I love Kurt. Such wisdom. And especially speaks to me as I work from home and buy everything online!

Excellent point Mr Vonnegut! Also happens to be true!

Vonnegut was the GOAT. I wish he were around still so I can tell him that computers give me the means, the time, and the opportunity to fart around way more than I ever did before them. I hope he would get it.

I've always loved that passage and think about it often when I have interesting encounters during the course of doing a mundane chore. Never let online stuff do all the work for you!

Love this!!

I love this story b-but, he’s been dead for almost 20 years. I don’t think buying envelopes online was a thing back then.

He will be a poor man if he buys a stamp to put on it.

Genius

I'm moved by how important small talk is. Here and there around town, in shops, on buses, on the street, we are able to exchange a few words with total strangers. And it's so human and global and ancient.

SEINFELD EPISODE ?

Which is why transit is better than cars.

i agree...and yet...i am so tired. i go out and i do not enjoy the dance

Love it, and agree with Kurt. Wife says we can go to the post office when we go shopping. But, that's two seperate jobs and two seperate interesting trips.

I have to say I agree wholeheartedly!

🧡

Vonnegut is awesome as always. I am definitely a dancing animal.

💥 100% perfect.

God bless you, Mr. Vonnegut.

A good use of a University of Chicago education.

🎯

Totally agree & didn't realize I had that opinion.

Have always loved Vonnegut

Love reading Vonnegut.

“The moral of the story is we’re here on Earth to fart around.” Words to live by.

Where you can buy only one envelope? 🤨

Mr. Vonnegut was right. I was walking to the store last week to get some stupid thing and I got to see two teenage boys jumping around in the automatic sprinklers at McDonald's. They were having a blast and it just made my day. Gave me hope for the future with these kids.

Great quote. I'm re-evaluating the tech in my life in hopes of not becoming Borg.

Love this man and how he thinks and how he's able to put it to paper.

I used two Vonnegut quotes in my Son’s eulogy: we’re here to fart around, and help each other get through this, whatever the hell this is.

It's curious that in some of these quotes, he says "great looking babes", and this one(and some others I've seen) it's babies ....since I saw the babes one first I always think that's the right one and someone changed it, but I really don't know for sure....

Reminds me of Stephen Wright: 24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not.

This kind of rhetoric is what made the 1998 film, Disturbing Behavior, hit that much harder. The crazy janitor loving Kurt Vonnegut and subscribing to his thoughts and ideals in the middle of some downright brutal and authoritarian shit going on just makes it feel so much more authentic.

Having a dog is my antidote to being disconnected. She HAS to go out at least twice a day. The thing is, no matter how uninviting the day, once out one feels instantly better. Except in this heat!!! 😆

I need to buy an envelope. I don't think I'd have as much fun as Vonnegut had buying his envelope, though, because I don't like talking to people nowadays. Maybe about their dogs. That would be ok. But, otherwise, no. So, I should probably buy a box of 100 envelopes/.

Beautiful reminder why I too wish to write.. Thanks Lauren ❤️

Brilliant post. Thank you for sharing it. 🙂😂

a video that has 167,102 views is playingALT: a video that has 167,102 views is playingmedia.tenor.com

It’s so true.

Sadly missed! Breakfast of Champions is a masterpiece and more relevant than ever!

Thanks Lauren for posting Kurt...

I love Vonnegut and come from the same place, albeit very different generation. But he was kind of wrong about computers. It is very, very easy to fart around on computers. The problem is, it doesn't involve movement. Gamers may have something to say about that though.

Get the hell outside and live your friggin life- great message! Thanks

One of the better humans.

Sure, blame computers. And then Internet. And then AI. When the problem started when the close-knit self-reliant rural communities were destroyed by urbanization.

Thank you Lauren Deschain! That’s a great reminder. 💙

bsky.app/profile/sout... supposedly the real quote, is even better

Spectacular ❤️

Took dad shopping when he stopped driving, when he was no longer up to shopping I still brought him along to sit in the car with the radio on people watching and occasionally chatting as being here ‘to fart around’ is absolutely correct.

Pretty much what I am lucky enough to do on a daily basis. Shame I am a crappy writer though :(

yeah meeting a lot of people is over ratedmost of the time

Well, he was always a pretty clever guy... 🙂

Vonnegut speaks with the privilege of the white American man in mid-20th century.

That’s great.

Where's my Valise?

Farting around is great. At 77 years old it’s fabulous.

💯 well said, Kurt Vonnegut.

I read here it's "babes" not "babies". cgi.pbs.org/now/transcri...

A very close quote, because I listened to the original with his interview with David Brancaccio.

Hmmmm - so Harry Styles song - Are we human or are we dancers? - how does that figure in? The song was written apparently after Styles saw the dancing robots from Boston Dynamics. So computers can dance too. btw, have loved Vonnegut for 60+ yrs; the world needs to rediscover his books.