The Calypsos of Bokonon

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spaceling

The Calypsos of Bokonon

Posted over 2 years ago

Cat's Cradle is a story about the end of the world, related to us by a man who witnessed the destruction and could explain how it came to occur. It is also the only known record of the philosophy of Bokonon, sung and subsequently archived as calypsos by a prophet with profound insight into the events directly preceding said apocalypse. Cat's Cradle was written in 1963 by Kurt Vonnegut. Kurt Vonnegut was written in 1922 on blank parchment by a sudden confluence of DNA in Indianapolis, Indiana.Open question to the denizens of MOG. Has anyone heard (or be willing to record) the Calypsos of Bokonon from Cat's Cradle? (Looking hopefully towards you, Spencer.)

image from science blog, Keat's Telescopesee the cat? see the cradle?

Comments (6)

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Jess Horrible says mm-hmm. my second favorite book (next to catch-22). spencer? whaddya say? maybe the whole mog hq can get into it.

Permalink posted 12/10/2006
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wassonii says The Boko-maru Calypso [ 72 ] We will touch our feet, yes, Yes, for all we're worth, And we will love each other, yes, Yes, like we love our Mother Earth. word

Permalink posted 12/11/2006
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spaceling says Have you heard Steve Reich's album Tehillim (1981)? The interwoven verses from psalm 19 mixed with the rhythmic clapping do so much to bring out the poetry there. I'm thinking of this trying to imagine calypso 72 set to to music... I think what makes Boko-maru so convienient is that it enables a free love society to exist beyond the boundaries of gendered sexuality since it is entirely different kind of shared intimacy (and has nothing to do with making babies). (I am reading Catch-22 right now!)

Permalink posted 12/11/2006
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wassonii says Unfortunately the masses of our culture will be hard-won to see the truths therein. One at a time, though. I forget the simplicity of his words and ideas, masking greater truths and understanding. I haven't picked up Vonnegut in a minute or two, but needs must I re-feed the intellect. Thanks as always for sharing. Don't know that I've heard that Reich piece, but some searching is underway.

Permalink posted 12/11/2006
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spaceling says When you do hear the first part, here is my translation of the hebrew (from psalm 19:2-5): "The sky announces the wonder of El and the cosmos describes creation. Day after day they speak and night after night they reveal mysteries. [But] there is no speech, there are no words, and their voice cannot be heard. [Yet] their path extends across the world, and their words to the earth's horizon..."

Permalink posted 12/11/2006
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nicki says "Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race." G-d-dang King James...

Permalink posted 12/11/2006