Why should you read Kurt Vonnegut? - Mia Nacamulli

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  • čas přidán 28. 11. 2018
  • Download a free audiobook version of "Slaughterhouse Five" and support TED-Ed's nonprofit mission: adbl.co/2DPI5Ys
    Check out our full book recommendation: shop.ed.ted.com/products/slau...
    Kurt Vonnegut found the tidy, satisfying arcs of many stories at odds with reality, and he set out to explore the ambiguity between good and bad fortune in his own novels. He tried to make sense of human behavior by studying the shapes of stories - ditching straightforward chronologies and clear-cut fortunes. Mia Nacamulli dives into the sometimes dark, yet hopeful works of Vonnegut.
    Lesson by Mia Nacamulli, directed by TED-Ed.
    Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Devin Harris, Tony Trapuzzano, Jason Weinstein, Kris Siverhus, Alexander Walls, Annamaria Szilagyi, Morgan Williams, Abhijit Kiran Valluri, Mandeep Singh, سلطان الخليفي, Marylise CHAUFFETON, Marvin Vizuett, Jayant Sahewal, Quinn Shen, Elizabeth Cruz, Elnathan Joshua Bangayan, Mullaiarasu Sundaramurthy, Jose Henrique Leopoldo e Silva, Dan Paterniti, Jerome Froelich, Tyler Yoshizumi, Martin Stephen, Justin Carpani, Khalifa Alhulail, Tejas Dc, Benjamin & Shannon Pinder, Srikote Naewchampa, Ex Foedus, Exal Enrique Cisneros Tuch, Ana Maria, Vignan Velivela, Ibel Wong, Ahmad Hyari, eden sher, Travis Wehrman, Louisa Lee, Hoang Viet, Nathan A. Wright, Аркадий Скайуокер, Ashley Maldonado, Clarence E. Harper Jr., Bojana Golubovic, Karthik Cherala, haventfiguredout, Violeta Cervantes, Elaine Fitzpatrick, Lyn-z Schulte, cnorahs, Henrique Sorín' Cassús and Tim Robinson.

Komentáře • 1K

  • @TEDEd
    @TEDEd  Před 5 lety +363

    If we've managed to pique your interest you can download an audiobook version of Slaughterhouse Five for free here: adbl.co/2DPI5Ys And thanks! Every free trial started through this link helps support our nonprofit mission.

    • @victora73
      @victora73 Před 5 lety +2

      Congratulations for 8 millions subscribers

    • @shoaibakhtar4389
      @shoaibakhtar4389 Před 5 lety +1

      How you get all this information?

    • @user-dm5qi4nb6l
      @user-dm5qi4nb6l Před 5 lety +3

      it's a good thing that I have Ted--ed around to be loved

    • @amirah_sri
      @amirah_sri Před 5 lety +5

      Who else is here who don't understand anything ?????

    • @brandanfitzgerald5331
      @brandanfitzgerald5331 Před 5 lety +5

      TED-Ed Audible says it’s $14, not free...

  • @aaronfaucett6442
    @aaronfaucett6442 Před 2 lety +775

    Now that I'm older I realize that he's writing in a way that reflects how an old man remembers his life. The story jumps around randomly like the memories and nostalgia that one experiences as you get older

    • @51Dss
      @51Dss Před 2 lety +4

      He was born in 1936 - Slaughterhouse 5 was first published in 1969 - Vonnegut was still a young 30 something when he wrote Slaughterhouse 5.

    • @johnashley-smith4987
      @johnashley-smith4987 Před 2 lety +18

      I am pretty sure he was not born in 1936, as that would have precluded his service in WW2, in the 106th Division.

    • @reidwhitton6248
      @reidwhitton6248 Před rokem +15

      Vonnegut born 1922.

    • @willhatchet3594
      @willhatchet3594 Před rokem +1

      Amazing brother

    • @muhammedaasil969
      @muhammedaasil969 Před rokem +8

      @@51Dss Damn bro you didnt research did you?

  • @sarahgraves8349
    @sarahgraves8349 Před 4 lety +952

    "Here we are, trapped in the amber of the moment. There is no why."

    • @Blackstreak8
      @Blackstreak8 Před 3 lety +1

      Any affiliation to the Smashing Pumpkins: "Here Is No Why"

    • @tonyf166
      @tonyf166 Před 3 lety +2

      I draw from the absurd three consequences which are my revolt, my freedom, and my passion.

    • @christopherwellman2364
      @christopherwellman2364 Před 2 lety +1

      @@Blackstreak8 Probably.

  • @lucillem7706
    @lucillem7706 Před 5 lety +3397

    I read Slaughterhouse Five a few months ago, when I was still living in Dresden, and loved its originality. I tried to explain it to people several times but it's very difficult to summarise. And so it goes.

  • @heyyfirefly
    @heyyfirefly Před 5 lety +1940

    One of my father's favourite authors was Kurt Vonnegut. When I grow up he would give me his books to read, and soon enough we loved the stories together and quoted them all the time to each other. For my university graduation he got me "If This Isn't Nice, What Is? Advice for the Young" - a collection of Vonnegut's commencement speeches. I absolutely loved it.
    Sadly I lost my father two years ago, and I am still not even close to come peace with the fact. But when I saw this video I was so happy, thank you very much for making it!
    I hope a lot of people will come to know this absolutely fantastic author because of it.

    • @hrishikeshparab1236
      @hrishikeshparab1236 Před 5 lety +31

      +heyyfirefly I am sorry about your father,I'd love to imagine he's up there somewhere hanging out with Vonnegut.I haven't read Vonnegut yet but now I want to read him.Thanks for sharing your story and i pray that you find your peace....

    • @antonperez6966
      @antonperez6966 Před 5 lety +18

      So it goes.

    • @heyyfirefly
      @heyyfirefly Před 5 lety +16

      ​@@hrishikeshparab1236 Thank you very much for the nice words, it really made me smile and also that is such a good picture to imagine! I hope you will love the books ! :)

    • @benmaynard3059
      @benmaynard3059 Před 4 lety +8

      that is a beautiful story that brings a tear to my eyes . i hope that i can have as beautiful of a connection with my daughter .

    • @Spiral.Dynamics
      @Spiral.Dynamics Před 4 lety +13

      Thank you for sharing such a sweet and personal story. I lost my deadbeat dad 2 years ago too, and it was his dying (long and painful) that made me realize I had to accept him just as he is. Acceptance of death and learning unconditional love was what my dad gave me.
      ✌️❤️

  • @ferrettaxi
    @ferrettaxi Před 5 lety +763

    I first read slaughterhouse five when I was in the hospital after attempting suicide at age 14. It really made me rethink my whole life. Now 5 years later I have the “everything was beautiful and nothing hurt” illustration tattooed on my thigh. 💛

  • @OlOleander
    @OlOleander Před 5 lety +858

    I truly love how faithful this video's art style was to the minimalist, angular line sketches Vonnegut intersperses in some of his books.

    • @colesandick446
      @colesandick446 Před 4 lety +4

      I thought the same thing too!

    • @luke8179
      @luke8179 Před 4 lety +3

      agreed! i love his art style, honestly it’s like he predicted the modern style of minimalist tattoos

    • @tstormont
      @tstormont Před 3 lety +6

      And they correctly made KV left handed.

    • @worldstudies7863
      @worldstudies7863 Před 2 lety

      I lost it at the flag in the Granfalloon part!

  • @sleepless_eremite
    @sleepless_eremite Před 5 lety +318

    “If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.”

    • @nicholasmaniccia1005
      @nicholasmaniccia1005 Před 5 lety +4

      I love that, out of tall the stories he told about his family, his uncle saying that on a calm day is a lesson that always stuck with me.

  • @koshmar230
    @koshmar230 Před 5 lety +274

    I think "Sirens of Titan" is one of the most underappreciated books in history. An infinite humanity in this book always bring tear to my eyes and makes me feel like I touched something universal.

    • @yochabelfatima5260
      @yochabelfatima5260 Před 3 lety +10

      God, I literally just read it for the first time. Can't believe no one's talking abt it. I recommend this book to anyone who can read

    • @teriallison8610
      @teriallison8610 Před 3 lety +5

      @@yochabelfatima5260 i just read it too! i enjoyed it very much

    • @steriopticon2687
      @steriopticon2687 Před 3 lety +5

      The first time I read it in the late '60s, I was depressed for a week. Can't wait to read it again.

    • @justrusty8399
      @justrusty8399 Před 2 lety

      Based

    • @bird_obsession
      @bird_obsession Před rokem +1

      The Sirens of Titan is literally my favorite book haha

  • @orenrosenman5242
    @orenrosenman5242 Před 4 lety +353

    Loved the "if that isn't nice, what is?"at the end, a reference to one of my favorite Vonnegut quotes.
    "My Uncle Alex, who is up in Heaven now, one of the things he found objectionable about human beings was that they so rarely noticed it when times were sweet. We could be drinking lemonade in the shade of an apple tree in the summertime, and Uncle Alex would interrupt the conversation to say, "If this isn't nice, what is?"
    So I hope that you will do the same for the rest of your lives.
    When things are going sweetly and peacefully, please pause a moment, and then say out loud, "If this isn't nice, what is?"
    -Kurt Vonnegut

    • @knewnickie
      @knewnickie Před 2 lety +3

      Also one of my all time favorites

    • @justinh6651
      @justinh6651 Před 2 lety +4

      That is a beautiful story and quote. It touches me to the core.

  • @tasnimnaz7109
    @tasnimnaz7109 Před 5 lety +702

    I am an English major, utterly fascinated and grateful to be reading my subject everyday. Literary videos like these are more meaningful and inspiring to me than you can ever guess. Thanks Ted ed

    • @tasnimnaz7109
      @tasnimnaz7109 Před 5 lety +5

      @Celtic Revival / Adfywiad Celtaidd I am Bengali myself, and yes, I am well aware that other cultures have beautiful literature as well.❤️ I love exploring foreign writers and taking a peek into their culture

    • @aidenfrost10
      @aidenfrost10 Před 5 lety +1

      @@tasnimnaz7109 Agreed, Ted-Ed is a blessing for us all in ways...
      Hopefully our country could possibly come to a sense of moral, social and civil awareness and the importance of it's integrity in the future, I imagine we won't be seeing this in our time but perhaps after we're long gone at least a significant no. of Bangladeshis would finally understand the basics of what it means to live as fellow countrymen, to work selflessly and not seek any sort of meaning or selfish satisfaction behind the deeds (taking a page or two from good ol' Kurt Vonnegut), which could possibly ultimately contribute to a nation TRULY making a leap in the right direction.

    • @pricklypear7516
      @pricklypear7516 Před 5 lety

      every day, meaning each day. everyday means ordinary. I run for exercise every day. My everyday exercise program includes running.

    • @ConfuseingGameing
      @ConfuseingGameing Před 5 lety

      As an English Major, I am in utter need of a job and a direction in life

    • @pricklypear7516
      @pricklypear7516 Před 5 lety +5

      @@ConfuseingGameing Teaching, reporting, proofreading, advertising, free-lance writing, ghost-writing. Many lawyers start out with an English degree before entering law school. If you have or can learn another language, translating is an option. There is a whole field emerging in forensic language (does the "suicide note" really follow the use-of-language used by the deceased before his death?) I'm not being snarky here, but why are you majoring in something for which you apparently have no passion and can see no future?

  • @rasgeleisim
    @rasgeleisim Před 5 lety +724

    What I'm surprised about this video that I totally understood what he said.
    Even though he used complicated words I didn't miss anything cause he talked very soft and slow and understandable.
    This is good. A wonderful diction. A clean voice settings.

    • @aaronabraham2814
      @aaronabraham2814 Před 5 lety +3

      Uh I don't want to spite you but what is that Condibulum thingy?

    • @rasgeleisim
      @rasgeleisim Před 5 lety +4

      @@aaronabraham2814 Why would you? If there is something you don't know or don't understand, you have every right to ask it everywhere, everyone and everytime.
      So don't feel like spiting something.
      But I'm sorry I didn't understand you. I watched the video again and couldn't find the word of "condibulum". Find things similar it but the exact word. Could you tell me the time the voice tells it.

    • @aaronabraham2814
      @aaronabraham2814 Před 5 lety

      @@rasgeleisim I'm sorry I messed up the letters It's This 3:04

    • @rasgeleisim
      @rasgeleisim Před 5 lety +3

      Okay. Sorry for not knowing that term. Since it's a scientific term and I'm just someone who only knows a little English.
      Even though I had some guesses based on what they showed us I checked and found this explanation.
      "A point in space where, upon a person entering it, that person's existence in space-time ceases to be linear, becoming discrete. This means that a person that has entered a chronosynclastic infundibulum exists at multiple points and lines in space-time. For example, such a person could exist at all points in time in one place and also appear at another point for five minutes. "
      I don't know if you ever watched fringe but there were a cult who can do that and it was explained like that;
      Think the time and space flow like waterfalling and there is a point you can watch it from outside and see the beginning and ending in the sametime.
      I hope I made the right explanation.

    • @aaronabraham2814
      @aaronabraham2814 Před 5 lety

      @@rasgeleisim Hmm I did search that and still didn't understand hence I asked . Anyway thanks for trying.
      Btw What's Fringe?

  • @user-uh9jy7ss4m
    @user-uh9jy7ss4m Před 5 lety +1896

    They should have taught this in English classes. My teacher just taught us how to answer in essays.

    • @vivek7154
      @vivek7154 Před 5 lety +7

      cham there's a lot of swearing in slaughterhouse five.

    • @user-uh9jy7ss4m
      @user-uh9jy7ss4m Před 5 lety +5

      @@vivek7154 they could have taught it in uni. Haha

    • @user-uh9jy7ss4m
      @user-uh9jy7ss4m Před 5 lety +21

      @Mr. E They probably thought that a bunch of Shakespeare's gonna do us good, but these kinds of stories also helps us acknowledge different perspectives (ps I love Shakespeare).

    • @IndyIndyIndy123
      @IndyIndyIndy123 Před 5 lety +21

      I read this in my junior english class in highschool

    • @willfudge8131
      @willfudge8131 Před 5 lety +4

      Andres Guttierrez me too it’s a fantastic book to read especially nowadays when a lot of the messages seem especially relevant

  • @airplane4061
    @airplane4061 Před 3 lety +17

    prompt burst into tears at the purpose of life is to "love whoever is around to be loved".

  • @cestlavegan5793
    @cestlavegan5793 Před 5 lety +111

    "Cat's Cradle" blew my young mind away in my early twenties. I'd love to read more Vonnegut.

    • @noahhopkins4797
      @noahhopkins4797 Před 4 lety +6

      I will send you a copy of God Bless you, Mr Rosewater.

    • @kayaeki
      @kayaeki Před 3 lety

      I'm 20, is it relatable or smth?

    • @cestlavegan5793
      @cestlavegan5793 Před 3 lety +6

      Kenyce I don’t think age is necessarily relevant to the novel. I just remember feeling like it was one of the most imaginative works of literature I had read at that point in my life.

    • @cestlavegan5793
      @cestlavegan5793 Před 3 lety +1

      Noah Hopkins I’d love that! 😁

    • @goodun2974
      @goodun2974 Před 3 lety +9

      My first was "Player Piano". Written in 1952; highly prophetic then, and more relevant than ever now, in 2020. Cat's Cradle is another long-time favorite that particularly resonates with me; and Galapagos as well. When Kurt died, Jon Stewart said, "our world became a little less interesting today".

  • @drew25music
    @drew25music Před rokem +16

    Vonnegut's work is hilarious, deep, heartbreaking, hopeful, pragmatic, beautiful, poignant, deep, goofy, and poetic all in the same book. Kurt was a beautiful human being, and I'm thankful I was alive at the same time as him!

  • @BobMcCoy
    @BobMcCoy Před 5 lety +589

    *These animations are **_Vonne-good!_*

  • @89macgyver
    @89macgyver Před 5 lety +142

    I read some Vonnegut in my free time during high school but I always found his books boring and confusing. It's 10 years later now and this video gave me a view of his story-telling philosophy that I never knew about (that shape thing was fascinating to me!). I now have a renewed interest in trying his books again. Thank you for these videos!

  • @poweroffriendship2.0
    @poweroffriendship2.0 Před 5 lety +800

    *_The Tralfamadorians wants to know your location_*

    • @ayayron9452
      @ayayron9452 Před 5 lety +2

      What

    • @guidoferri8683
      @guidoferri8683 Před 5 lety +32

      But they already know it

    • @migmadmarine
      @migmadmarine Před 5 lety +2

      if that happened to me, the aliens would have picked sarah huckabee for me to mate with🤔

    • @leojiangtheterrible7142
      @leojiangtheterrible7142 Před 5 lety +2

      I hope PTSD was like that...

    • @brandonkelley6500
      @brandonkelley6500 Před 5 lety +3

      Is that why Google maps keeps giving me Google play services errors until I give them permission to the camera?

  • @funnyavi
    @funnyavi Před 5 lety +276

    I have read his entire bibliography and I still am willing to fight that he is the greatest American Author. I think you can see even more of his philosophy by reading Mother Night and God Bless You Mr. Rosewater. They are also excellent looks into this thoughts.

    • @MrStupididy
      @MrStupididy Před 5 lety +4

      funnyavi god bless you is one of my favorite books. Its very endearing and thought provoking.

    • @ludicrousslim
      @ludicrousslim Před 5 lety +11

      Agreed. If there's a Heaven, and I doubt there is, you'll find Mark Twain with a cigar and Kurt Vonnegut with his cigarettes discussing the beauty and foolishness of humans and also personal hair styling techniques.

    • @squirlmy
      @squirlmy Před 5 lety +7

      I'd say maybe greatest American literary philosopher? rather than author. His prose is stark and simple, sometimes comically so. There are no beautiful descriptive passages (at least none I can remember). He was not a master of the English language, but the thoughts that he managed to put down on paper! and great compassion; he had a huge heart.

    • @cannabiscupjudge
      @cannabiscupjudge Před 5 lety +9

      I was hooked on Vonnegut when I read "Welcome to the Monkey House". I became convinced of his genius when I read "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater". I believe I've read everything he wrote, and can comfortably assert that he's never failed to delight and enlighten. I don't think it's possible to fairly name a single greatest American Author, but Kurt Vonnegut, as far as I'm concerned and without a doubt, is a member of the set of "Great American Authors", or even, "Greatest American Authors". But. And I'm sorry to say this. If I could only select one American Novel to be alone with on a desert isle, it probably wouldn't be a Vonnegut. I'm not sure what it would be, please don't make me choose, because, oh my god, wouldn't that be an awful choice to have to make?

    • @punkroxgirl
      @punkroxgirl Před 5 lety

      Cuvtixo D I agree 💯%

  • @notthatyouasked6656
    @notthatyouasked6656 Před 5 lety +361

    Slaughterhouse Five, the only book that has *two* really great first sentences:
    "All this happened, more or less"
    and later
    "Listen:
    Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time."

    • @danielhudon9456
      @danielhudon9456 Před 4 lety +17

      You forgot: Everything you ever need to know about life is in the book “The Brothers Karamazov”, and it’s not enough anymore.

    • @mia-bo-bia
      @mia-bo-bia Před 4 lety +4

      Kurt is king of curt beginnings

    • @badgalnini909
      @badgalnini909 Před 3 lety +5

      'Poo-tee-weet?'

  • @marinislmk1893
    @marinislmk1893 Před 5 lety +189

    Is it just me or is this the most interesting channel in CZcams

  • @rachelthompson9324
    @rachelthompson9324 Před 3 lety +15

    My anthology of short stories is called Stalking Kilgore Trout. Reading Vonnegut is what made be a writer.

  • @benhoskins1262
    @benhoskins1262 Před 2 lety +6

    A former employer of mine owns a small private fishing lodge in KY. There's a framed sketch of Kurt's hanging on the wall thanking them for all the great times he had just "getting away" there. Its just a simple sketch of a crane feeding on the creek. Always been a fan of his, but to know that he and I share a love for such a little known place, feels pretty good.

  • @extremekiwi1311
    @extremekiwi1311 Před 4 lety +12

    I absolutely recommend "Mother Night" by Kurt Vonnegut. I read it for my English 300 class about 2 years ago, and it was an amazing book that expanded my outlook on living, through the obscurity of being human through the good and the bad.

  • @johnashley-smith4987
    @johnashley-smith4987 Před 2 lety +8

    Thanks for this video. I never read Kurt Vonnegut until I hit my mid thirties. I was struck by a quote in one of his autobiographies about needing to be in the " right stage of life" to understand certain books. That's something I have to agree on. Had I read Vonnegut any younger, it would not have resonated with me, not yet having enough life experience. I remember schoolmates whining about having to read " The Siren's Of Titan" and how they hated it.It is now one of my favorite novels. I got introduced to Kurt with " Breakfast Of Champions", and have turned on a few freinds to Kurt's genius with this book! I loved Slaughterhouse 5, and it should be required reading...
    Thank you again.

  • @garrettwidner8199
    @garrettwidner8199 Před 3 lety +45

    I loved Kurt's stories when I was a bit younger, and it's easy to recommend him for his simple prose, unconventional style, and absurd and interesting stories and humor. He was by far my favorite author during my late teens/early 20s. As I grew older I realized that message-wise his books left me with a real feeling of despair. There's a sense that he's trying to make a comedy out of the immense tragedies of life, but in the end even he doesn't really believe it, and he's mad and deeply distraught about that. His absurdism and fancifulness is, you know, fun, but it's also a mask over deep cynicism and anger. I have no ability to judge whether that's justified or not, but I wanted people to know what they're getting into. I found his books incredibly funny, interesting, and easy to read. But, you know... caution. You know what Les Miserables is going to be like going in, Kurt, not always so much.

    • @utoob23
      @utoob23 Před rokem +1

      Excellent critique. Now that I'm older I can read his pessimism with a great of salt and enjoy the prose and simple life messages

  • @ssgtmole8610
    @ssgtmole8610 Před 2 lety +5

    I got to hear him give a talk at a university once. I wish I could remember more of it. I got a sense that he was a pleasant and thoughtful person. The thing that I remember though was his castigation of his daughter's ex-husband and how mad he was about the way she was treated by her ex.

  • @donelmore2540
    @donelmore2540 Před 2 lety +5

    Years ago I read all that Mr. Vonnegut had written. Your video makes me want to re read them. Thanks!

  • @stevenhs8821
    @stevenhs8821 Před 5 lety +15

    In high school, in the 1970s, Vonnegut was one of my favorites. And among my friends also. Herman Hesse also. Times sure have changed.

  • @pige0n392
    @pige0n392 Před 3 lety +11

    The first time I read Slaughterhouse Five, I was 11. I found it one of the most amazing, moving novels I have ever read. I loved how we jumped through time, although I never really was certain whether or not the zoo was real. I also loved that callback at the end, the protagonist being shown the same picture that was once shown to him by a fellow soldier.

  • @MichaelKilmanAuthor
    @MichaelKilmanAuthor Před 2 lety +5

    One of my all time favorite authors. He challenges to truly reflect on the human condition, even if some of his views are somewhat pessimistic (though as the video points out optimistic too). This was a wonderful short analysis of his work. Thank you. I may try to find a way to squeeze this into my courses I teach.

  • @bsahota2021
    @bsahota2021 Před 5 lety +4

    I LOVE all the random Vonnegut references! Great Job TED-Ed!!

  • @BlizzardX1K
    @BlizzardX1K Před 5 lety +9

    Oh my God! Best episode yet! Holy cow, on point!

  • @magicbrownie1357
    @magicbrownie1357 Před 2 lety +5

    I can't think of a reason NOT to read Vonnegut. I've read every novel he's published. My favorite author. Funny, insightful, witty, brilliant. Hard to ask for much more.

  • @lactobacilluschasei1111

    I WAS HOPING FOR THIS! THANK YOU TED-ED 😭💖

  • @quantumeinstein3472
    @quantumeinstein3472 Před 5 lety +77

    Ted Ed Animation are truly an inspiration and knowledgeable.

    • @graypaint
      @graypaint Před 5 lety

      @@Castaccio ​ @Castaccio Nut the kind of tea TED-Ed viewers WANT to drink (most of us)

  • @samvidrajwar6424
    @samvidrajwar6424 Před 5 lety +6

    Literature explained through animation is hauntingly beautiful.
    Keep up the good work, Ted ed :-)

  • @MilesWilliams88
    @MilesWilliams88 Před 2 lety +18

    I finished Slaughterhouse Five a few months ago. What an absolutely brilliant book! The scene where Billy is seeing the war film in reverse will stick with me forever. I will definitely be reading more Vonnegut in the future.

    • @AL_THOMAS_777
      @AL_THOMAS_777 Před rokem +1

      He had first hand experiences from The Dresden Inferno (sic) which was a cruel and maningless revenge only killing innocent civilians. And exactly this first hand experience - thats where great literatur derives from (you can call it authentic writing!!)

  • @tommycloud1828
    @tommycloud1828 Před 3 lety

    This is one of my favorite videos on youtube. I just find it to be well written as well as well narrated, and the illustrations are so on point it's astonishing.
    P.S: If you're ever in Cody, Wyoming, just ask for Wild Bob

  • @lj0339
    @lj0339 Před 5 lety +10

    *”We are all here to just fart around”*
    True. Very true.

  • @TheConour
    @TheConour Před 5 lety +3

    This is really insightful as it pulls together aspects of Vonnegut's work as a whole. Particularly our relationship with time and with fellow humans. No wonder his reputation has been growing.

  • @adityatiwari2957
    @adityatiwari2957 Před 5 lety +54

    I thought Ted Chiang's Story of your life later adapted into Arrival was original. But this genius is doing all along. Thanks for introducing us to Kurt. I'm looking forward to his works

    • @prachisingh7187
      @prachisingh7187 Před 5 lety +2

      Hey ikr i thought of Story of your life while reading Slaughterhouse Five as well!

    • @KilgoreTrout-vo7uy
      @KilgoreTrout-vo7uy Před 5 lety

      Read more, kid.

    • @adityatiwari2957
      @adityatiwari2957 Před 5 lety +4

      @@KilgoreTrout-vo7uy Life is short, You can't read all of them.

    • @TuanNguyen-ko9wz
      @TuanNguyen-ko9wz Před 5 lety

      And Slaughterhouse-Five is in turn inspired by The Fateful Adventures of Good Soldier Svejk.

    • @rachelthompson9324
      @rachelthompson9324 Před 5 lety +1

      You'll love Vonnegut if you enjoy thinking. He is why I became a writer. My short story collection, Stalking Kilgore Trout, is dedicated to Kurt's memory. details about my books at rcthom.com

  • @iamachinesepetwholies5476

    I'm glad I discovered this CZcams channel, as an 11th grade student here in Philippines, I'm learning a significant and valuable knowledge that I definitely know one day would be of use to me

  • @msmith53
    @msmith53 Před 2 lety

    Excellent conclusion...YES, I had a teacher who inspired my life and career and have alway been guided by his enthusiasm for his students and their lives! Thank you Ken Hallman!

  • @anitadhawan9746
    @anitadhawan9746 Před 3 lety

    Thanks so much for this impeccable piece of work. 🙏🏽

  • @brebee4291
    @brebee4291 Před 5 lety +5

    For my final in English Composition 2, we were given a list of books to choose one from and write an argumentative piece on. I came across Cat's Cradle through this and instantly fell in love with it the moment I read the vague summary for it online. After I finished it, I found it not very difficult to get myself into researching because the book is so fascinating. I really recommend his books he's a good author :0!!

  • @spacealienjesus709
    @spacealienjesus709 Před 5 lety +7

    Mother Night and Breakfast of Champions are my two favorites.
    Great video...

    • @punkroxgirl
      @punkroxgirl Před 5 lety +1

      Space Alien Jesus Those are my two favorites too 🙂

  • @untizioacaso6095
    @untizioacaso6095 Před 5 lety +12

    Thanks for covering such an underrated author

    • @TimothyReeves
      @TimothyReeves Před 2 lety +1

      Not so much underrated as underread. People who read Vonnegut rate him highly I think.

  • @dylanwilcox3112
    @dylanwilcox3112 Před 5 lety

    Awesome work, TedEd! Keep this series up! I loved Slaughter-House 5

  • @mmmk1616
    @mmmk1616 Před 5 lety +1

    What a great video! Thanks TED-Ed!

  • @alleyg6716
    @alleyg6716 Před 5 lety +32

    Slaughterhouse Five is my favorite book ever. Love to see this type of stuff.

  • @elifkalkan2769
    @elifkalkan2769 Před 5 lety +78

    i had just finished the "cat's cradle" and saw the video, what a lovely coincidence!

    • @RajuyCh-ug9ok
      @RajuyCh-ug9ok Před 5 lety +1

      Cats cradle
      What is it about buddy?

    • @avigokuu
      @avigokuu Před 5 lety +1

      @@RajuyCh-ug9ok bout to ask the same question when i saw this xD.

    • @avigokuu
      @avigokuu Před 5 lety

      Same the book name come up like a trillion times, whats it about. can you tell me a nonspoilery review >?

    • @RajuyCh-ug9ok
      @RajuyCh-ug9ok Před 5 lety +1

      @@avigokuu
      Ohh god you heard a trillion times and too lazy to google about it .....
      Just like me 😁😁

    • @elifkalkan2769
      @elifkalkan2769 Před 5 lety +3

      @@RajuyCh-ug9ok it is hard to explain, guess you watched the video. it mentions in 3:26, basically about a writer who wants to write a book about life of the inventer of the atom bomb and bokononism

  • @artisawant8
    @artisawant8 Před 5 lety +1

    thank you for that free audiobook!

  • @imgaybut1346
    @imgaybut1346 Před 4 lety +1

    This video inspired me to look into Kurt Vonnegut‘s other work. Thank you.

  • @KC-to9xl
    @KC-to9xl Před 5 lety +6

    My favorite author in highschool, and still my forever favorite author :3

  • @Bix12
    @Bix12 Před 4 lety +10

    I discovered KV at the age of 13. I am now 64.
    He had a profound effect on the way I look at the world.
    His death was truly Vonnegutian. So it goes.

  • @amanatee27
    @amanatee27 Před 5 lety

    Thank you for featuring Vonnegut, his works are brilliant [:

  • @ABDStillLegit
    @ABDStillLegit Před 4 lety +1

    This is a wonderful channel. As an avid reader who once only sought out contemporary work, this channel has opened my horizons to work I might've missed otherwise; works of Kurt Vonnegut, Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, to name a few. I even bought War and Peace just the other day because the video piqued my interest---still not sure if that'll pan out, but who knows, right?Thank you!

  • @kb-bp5iy
    @kb-bp5iy Před 5 lety +17

    I love slaughterhouse 5 but its so difficult to convince other people to read it.you did a great job!😊😊😊

  • @waltergodsoe5526
    @waltergodsoe5526 Před 3 lety +3

    Kurt visited our college on Cape Cod, in the late sixties, he was entertaining and the wisdom was apparent.

  • @jig7saw
    @jig7saw Před 5 lety +2

    Kilgor Trout!!! I have wondered many times what it would be like to have a tail! Thanks for posting Mia!!

  • @marcc.3513
    @marcc.3513 Před 5 lety

    Thanks for such an awesome video summary. I'm eager to read it over break.

  • @jasoncromwell4206
    @jasoncromwell4206 Před 5 lety +3

    "Yeah well I go two words for you Vonnegut?" If you know that reference you can do a Triple Melon. That movie inspired my love for his work.

  • @tonychapa3457
    @tonychapa3457 Před 5 lety +16

    I'm especially fond of Bluebeard, read it every few years.

    • @dashx1103
      @dashx1103 Před 3 lety +1

      Bluebeard is my second-favorite Vonnegut book. Sirens of Titan has always been #1 for me. I feel like Bluebeard doesn't get enough credit.

  • @emmawan535
    @emmawan535 Před 5 lety +1

    Pls make more “why u should read...” series 😍These videos are simply inspiring and aesthetically appealing

  • @charlottem.1477
    @charlottem.1477 Před 3 lety

    Always been my fave author! So happy to see this video

  • @SwagDawg
    @SwagDawg Před 5 lety +14

    2:10 cat's cradle... I see what you did there

  • @markharmon8994
    @markharmon8994 Před 5 lety +5

    He is my favorite author. His method of writing is completely unparalleled by any. Everyone needs to experience his work, it has actually changed my lookout on life

  • @lojupitermoon
    @lojupitermoon Před 4 lety

    This actually really really made me want to read this novel. You just might have introduced me to my new favorite author

  • @HeelieDensortt
    @HeelieDensortt Před 5 lety

    my eyes are watering. i love his work so much

  • @marblemilk1065
    @marblemilk1065 Před 3 lety +14

    I'm reading Cat's Cradle. I think that Its plot also applies to current events like politics and the media.

  • @Gaius2k
    @Gaius2k Před 5 lety +57

    Please do: Why should you read George Orwell?

    • @jpwjr1199
      @jpwjr1199 Před 5 lety +7

      Yes! Or even more apt for today's zeitgeist: Why should you read Aldous Huxley?!?!

  • @sakibuddin7662
    @sakibuddin7662 Před 4 lety

    thanks so much for this thoughtful discusion

  • @nirmallotay8101
    @nirmallotay8101 Před 4 lety

    Thank you for an exceedingly excellent explanation

  • @jasonguinn2435
    @jasonguinn2435 Před 5 lety +4

    I love Kurt Vonnegut! This was awesome

  • @lxxy05
    @lxxy05 Před 5 lety +17

    i read his “ harrison bergeron “ in English class!

    • @mmhopen2743
      @mmhopen2743 Před 5 lety

      Me too.

    • @suryahr307
      @suryahr307 Před 5 lety

      Which one of these two would you prefer to me

    • @macweenie
      @macweenie Před 4 lety

      Same here. I loved the story but forgot who wrote it until I found it again in “welcome to the monkey house”. Even after reading so many of his novels I never put it together until decades later.

  • @stumpytheclown
    @stumpytheclown Před 5 lety +1

    i did a project about slaughterhouse five for my AP English 2 class this year. that was my first introduction into Kurt. lets just say, i don't regret it reading it one bit. hopefully i'll have time to read more of his stuff.

  • @roshan7961
    @roshan7961 Před 5 lety

    This channel is really inspiring us to pursue

  • @lordindulgence
    @lordindulgence Před 5 lety +4

    I absolutely adore Slaughterhouse-Five! Our English teacher assigned it to us to read, annotate and analyse, but something about it has really made a significant impact on me and has turned it from a simple assignment to a book I'm genuinely enjoying to read on free time.
    I can't express why, but I'm beyond glad this video was recommended!

  • @hollyfugate9506
    @hollyfugate9506 Před 5 lety +5

    I loved Slaughterhouse Five so much it hurt. Maybe I'll try the other titles mentioned here!

  • @dantana5774
    @dantana5774 Před 2 lety

    thanks for the memories, however foggy, of my 70s. and making this clearer- Vonnegut was required reading back then, and assumed it was today, but gave my college-student daughter my collection, and she's now a fan

  • @ianboard3555
    @ianboard3555 Před 3 lety

    One of my favorite authors. I still have the dog-eared paperbacks from high school 40 some years ago.
    God Bless You Mr.Rosewater and Sirens of Titan were my favorites though.

  • @RAyLV17
    @RAyLV17 Před 5 lety +5

    so it goes

  • @onshiplessoceans1675
    @onshiplessoceans1675 Před 3 lety +3

    I have to just add--as one who appreciates this video and the work it does--that it's not "Bokonism." It's "Bokononism." Because it matters, even if it doesn't matter.

  • @groovyhannah8517
    @groovyhannah8517 Před 2 lety

    This is a great video, I really want to read his books now!

  • @donaldbarnhardt9906
    @donaldbarnhardt9906 Před 3 lety

    sure miss vonnegut and trout, thank you for giving a new generation audiobooks of his important work

  • @gregsmasochisticcommentfac2244

    I've read & re-read & re-re-read his books. They break my heart. They hurt me on every page. They fill me with laughter, reminding me no matter how crummy the circumstance, there's a higher calling: Goddamn It Be Kind.
    #KurtVonnegut

  • @MrGraywolf09
    @MrGraywolf09 Před 5 lety +3

    It's funny for me to watch this episode... I used to be an avid reader, until around 3 and a half years ago when I started reading Vonnegut's Timequake. I picked up the book without knowing anything about it nor the author, and although the premise sounded promissing, the story never quite got anywhere. I was getting more and more bored, but insisted in keeping reading, thinking it would become interesting and everything would connect, but that was never happening. Alas, near 4/5 of the book I gave in to the anger and tossed it away, never to open it again. My insistance in reading against my will spoiled books for me though. I thought it was just a fase as I turned to other hobbies, but after many tries later, I still can't get back to the habit of reading.
    Weird how a single (small) book can do that to you.

    • @Ennah08
      @Ennah08 Před 5 lety +1

      Timequake is a terrible one! I read it because I love some of his other novels, but it was a challenge ... Maybe Vonnegut isn't for you, but don't give up on novels! :)

    • @squirlmy
      @squirlmy Před 5 lety

      before the internet this could not have happened to you. I believe I might have tried Timequake in the late 80s. No internet to take me away from book reading altogether.

  • @jimhardiman3836
    @jimhardiman3836 Před rokem +1

    Timequake is not a conventional novel based on plot lines and action, but rather a dissertation on humanism and the reflections of a thoughtful man nearing the end of his stay on planet earth. And for that, I adore it.

  • @danceteras2884
    @danceteras2884 Před 5 lety +7

    Please do a video about Thomas Pyncheon. Please.

    • @possum9403
      @possum9403 Před 5 lety

      Dan Ceteras ayyyyy Eraserhead

  • @madhumita6451
    @madhumita6451 Před 5 lety +6

    Ted-Ed is impressive as usual😄😄 you guys always do such a great job..hands down for that animation...

  • @someonethatexists46
    @someonethatexists46 Před 3 lety

    The animation style is awesome.

  • @bird_obsession
    @bird_obsession Před rokem +1

    The Sirens of Titan is currently my favorite book of all time. I've also read and enjoyed Slaughterhouse Five. This guy was an incredible author.

  • @BallotBoxer
    @BallotBoxer Před 5 lety +24

    It is so short and jumbled and jangled, Sam, because there is nothing intelligent to say about a massacre. Everybody is supposed to be dead, to never say anything or want anything ever again. Everything is supposed to be very quiet after a massacre, and it always is, except for the birds.
    And what do the birds say? All there is to say about a massacre, things like "Poo-tee-weet?"
    - excerpt from _Slaughterhouse-Five_

  • @devanshuapte8645
    @devanshuapte8645 Před 5 lety +3

    I never heard about him until 2 weeks ago, when I heard Dear Hank and John podcast, which was a Kurt Vonnegut special.
    So any Dear Hank and John listeners here?

  • @eugene1317
    @eugene1317 Před rokem +1

    “Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt”

  • @faunaflage
    @faunaflage Před 5 lety

    Great video, and props for animating it in Vonnegut's own drawing style! You just need one asterisk: * , for good measure.

  • @arnabbiswasalsodeep
    @arnabbiswasalsodeep Před 5 lety +3

    Dang it. Someone wrote a story type i wanted to as well. But well, doesn't mean I can't write it now

  • @iboremytherapist
    @iboremytherapist Před 5 lety +15

    soldiers willing for die for a country that has high suicide rate for veterans. PTSD is the cost of not dying, after serving your country.

    • @Ennah08
      @Ennah08 Před 5 lety +1

      As far as I know Kurt Vonnegut struggled with depressions coming and going for the rest of his life.

    • @AL-fc5sz
      @AL-fc5sz Před 5 lety +4

      Veterans coming back home often report missing the war because of the camaraderie and sense of belonging. They rather be at war with other soldiers than in our disjointed society. Let that sink in.

    • @urbanprecariat
      @urbanprecariat Před 5 lety +2

      +AL sinking in... wow 💯 🍻

    • @squirlmy
      @squirlmy Před 5 lety +2

      @@AL-fc5sz well, it's our disjointed society that sends them out in the first place. Vets' are incredibly, painfully aware of this. Vonnegut protested Vietnam, I'm sure Iraq and Afghanistan broke his heart.

    • @punkroxgirl
      @punkroxgirl Před 5 lety +2

      AL That sense of comaradary comes from two places. At first it is created by the military because they need them to be willing to think as a group and not as individuals for both their safety, but also to make them willing to sacrifice themselves for a cause. They create this with both gruelling methods and other simple things like uniform s and symbols. Then, later, once these young and often naive young people actually experience war and combat, they become disallusioned about what they are doing, but often experience this awakening together so they are still willing to continue to help protect their comrades. Those comrades then become the only ones who they feel can truly understand them. This is why anyone that serves their country should never be without medical care, specifically psychological help. They were programmed at the start and need de-programming. What they need most of all is a lot of support in every area of life. When you live to just survive day to day, it must be so surreal to just be thrown back into a desensitized society that still holds on to outdated stigmas. I honestly can't imagine and I have PTSD myself, but not from war or combat like that. I don't think I could survive that either unless there was a real structure to get the help they need psychologically and just to integrate back into society.
      People are still to quick to judge because I guess understanding takes more effort or even being able to look deeper inside yourself and question ideas we were taught as truth that aren't necessarily truth at all. Most people seem to just rather ignore it and go shopping or whatever makes them NOT think.