Vonnegut, Player Piano and Mother Night

 

I have always been a fan of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (who dropped the Jr after his father passed away) since Slaughterhouse-Five

I read Slaughterhouse many, many moons ago as well as seeing the movie.

Recently, I re-introduced myself to Vonnegut’s work via Player Piano a few weeks ago.  I completed the book this morning while on the commuter train to my own job (as of this writing.  The way things are progressing there, I may be out of work by month’s end or November’s end – that story to be written when the laws are not against me). 

After beginning Player Piano I decided to form my Vonnegut collection as not be interrupted in the next I wish to read Mother Night when I am ready.  I am ready.

First, allow me to explain, without spoiling, Player Piano.  In a nutshell, it tells the story of how machines have replaced man in their work.  Intelligence replaces knowing in jobs and the ladder of success.  The idea came about when Vonnegut was working at GE (General Electric – no, not demeaning anyone’s intelligence by spelling it out, just make sure) and noticed a machine there that was taking the place of men there or might have or have already.

Player Piano is a must read for any working stiff and by the mere fact that there may be a day when machines MAY take the place of man in his job, but by the mere fact that anyone can and will be replaced by someone or nothing in their lifetime.  This is not a bad thing because there’s always the alternative route which the book introduces, which I did not see coming. 

I rank this book up there with Huxley’s Brave New World in a sense that our intelligence will determine what we will be in life.  Our intelligence NOT our will or want.  Quick side note.  I really enjoy dystopia novels.

I have not ventured on to Mother Night in which I have just viewed the movie approximately a week ago.  My next tackle will be Slaughterhouse-Five and I am not sure if I will read Deadwood Dick or Cat’s Cradle afterwards.

In the mean time, I am building up my collection of his book, actually a library of his books so I won’t run of Vonneguts to read – for a while at least.

Rescued Dogs and Cats from Horrible Conditions.

Dozens of frozen carcasses found in Pa. kennel

Thu Oct 2, 4:13 PM EDT

Agents raided a kennel and discovered hundreds of animals crowded together in foul-smelling conditions and dozens of carcasses in a freezer, authorities said.

Authorities removed 56 ailing dogs and cats for immediate medical attention after Wednesday’s raid at the Almost Heaven Kennel in Upper Milford Township, said Elaine Skypala, program director for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They were negotiating to take 100 more animals, she said.

Agents found a freezer containing 65 carasses. They also found up to 800 animals, including monkeys, miniature horses and turkeys, many of them living amid the stench of feces and decay.

“It’s horrible,” Skypala said.

The SPCA served three search warrants in an operation that arose from citizen complaints and an undercover investigation. The society’s officers have police power under state law to investigate claims of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect.

Kennel owner Derbe Eckhart was cited with two counts of cruelty to animals in Wednesday’s raid. He faces a maximum fine of $750 for each count. Eckhart disputed the group’s allegations, noting that an August inspection by the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement turned up no violations of kennel regulations.

“What they tried to do yesterday was paint a picture that wasn’t there,” Eckhart said Thursday.

Skypala said authorities would continue working at the kennel. She said a tentative deal called for Eckhart to begin an immediate cleanup and for the SPCA to have unlimited access to the facilities for six months.

Eckhart was charged two years earlier with having too many monkeys and operating a menagerie without a permit. He paid fines and court costs.

A neighbor, Jackie Arney, said she wasn’t surprised by Wednesday’s raid.

“You hear (the dogs) screaming and crying all night,” Arney said.

But Millie Altomare, 68, whose dog Fern is groomed at the kennel, said Eckhart “is never given any credit for the good things he does. They are constantly picking on this man.”

(source comcast.net – In The News)

My thoughts:  I know this saying has been around since the beginning of time, but if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.  That is the reason I post these in hopes that others will post.  Since I am not in the position to give money like I would like to, I feel that I can help but posting these stories.