Gagarin and Vonnegut

[lisamoe]

I got an email on one of my homeschooling lists this morning saying something about how Google was celebrating Yuri Gagarin today and the woman sending it didn't know who that was. She's older than me and an RN, btw. I am frequently stunned by the lack of knowledge in the college educated public about people, events, history, geography, and even current news items that seem like basic knowledge to me. Don't people remember anything from school? Or have any intellectual curiosity at all? They aren't getting exceptionally stupid people for that "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" show, are they? Just regular folks who never think beyond their own little daily routines. Not that I know everything, by any means, but I know who Yuri Gagarin is.

In other news, Kurt Vonnegut died. That makes me really sad. His book of short stories, Welcome to the Monkey House is one of my favorite books ever and I found Cat's Cradle deeply affecting when I read it as a teenager. Maybe I'll head down to the book store and pick up some Vonnegut I haven't read and start on it this week as my own little tribute.

Comments

[a-spirited-soul.livejournal.com]

I love those channels, too. They make the things that bored me seem so fascinating!


Total other subject: Will you be out to dinner this Saturday night?

[lisamoe.livejournal.com]

Yes, but I will have to leave right after. mstami's daughter is babysitting for me and I don't want her to have to put up with the boys for too long.