This Group is a Karass
Karass: A group of people linked in a cosmically significant manner, even when superficial linkages are not evident.
Concept “created” by Kurt Vonnegut.
The above is the definition supplied by the Urban Dictionary. I was acquainted with the term because years ago I read it in Vonnegut’s book Cat’s Cradle and the term stayed with me. Along those lines, Wikipedia expands the explanation to include:
The people can be thought of as like the fingers that support a cat’s cradle.
This is all part of a religion that he invented for the book called Bokononism. The foundation of Bokononism is that all religion, including Bokononism and all its texts, is formed entirely of lies; however, if you believe and adhere to these lies, you will live a happy life. These lies are called foma.
Here are some of the other interesting parts of his “created” religion:
- duprass – a karass that consists of only two people. The two members of a duprass always die within a week of each other.
- granfalloon – a false karass; i.e., a group of people who imagine they have a connection that does not really exist. An example is "Hoosiers"; Hoosiers are people from Indiana, and Hoosiers have no true spiritual destiny in common, so really share little more than a name.
- wampeter – the central theme or purpose of a karass
- foma – harmless untruths; lies that bring one comfort
- Busy, busy, busy – words Bokononists whisper upon witnessing an example of how interconnected everything is
- zah-mah-ki-bo – fate, inevitable destiny
Fortunately, or unfortunately, I seem to simultaneously be part of more than one karass right now and have been parts of still others in the past. Or, has it been one karass with different faces?
In any case, we used the concepts freely in the 70’s – and many of them have stood the test of time for me. The karass seems to me to be a gathering that serves somewhat like a cosmic tuner and I can actually feel a difference around certain groups. What think you?
Do you think karasses exist?
Do you think we are one?
If so, what is our wampeter? What are our foma?
Are you part of a granfalloon?
Do you believe in zah-mah-ki-bo?
The only part that I don’t even put up for debate is … busy, busy, busy!
You can read about this totally fun – but thought provoking – romp at this link to Wikipedia or by reading Vonnegut’s delightful book, Cat’s Cradle.
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Tags: Cat's Cradle, Humor, Karass, Literature, Religion, Vonnegut
I read as far as ‘Cat’s Cradle’ and a song began in my head. This version was used on TV for an Anti-Terrorism advert in Northern Ireland:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TibB_VWa9uA
I’ll come back when the song has stopped and read further.
Grannymar’s last blog post..The Day of the Tablecloth
Conrad, what the #$%^ are you trying to say? Bike–babe, Deb, Rummy, Corky, Vicki, Jean, GL, Carly, Mike, Grannymar, Janet, SOMEONE!– would you interpret Conrad’s mind for me? I’m going back to Rummy’s sex post!
@Gail – Is Rummy having Sex online?
Grannymar’s last blog post..The Day of the Tablecloth
Ok, with careful thought I am a ‘foma’.
I foam from the mouth and the fingertips on a regular basis…. it is called blogging!
Grannymar’s last blog post..The Day of the Tablecloth
WOW I don’t read books, but I actually DID read Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. But a long time ago. It must have gone in one eye & out the other, besides my husband made pancakes ready now, & I’m hungry.
No Grannymar, I only play quoits with you know what and with who!
Gail, you will never go wrong. Just keep going to my blogs for enlightenment. I dare not even try to decipher what goes on in Conrad’s mind, but let me try and answer him to see where our zah-mah-ki-bo takes us.
Conrad,
Do you think karasses exist? Yes
Do you think we are one? Yes
If so, what is our wampeter? Nirvana via Blogs
What are our foma? That we understand each other.
Are you part of a granfalloon? Yes, my alumni association.
Do you believe in zah-mah-ki-bo? You bet.
rummuser’s last blog post..An Incredible Story.
I waiting for Deb’s reply. She is probably trying to figure out which fingers to use in that string(cradle) thing. I know I haven’t figured it out yet. Bike–babe, any pancakes left? When you are dumb like me, all I want do is eat. I’m working on more fomas.
Gail, part of the moral of the story is when they are working the cat’s cradle and when the strings are all strung, the main character asks the question, “Where’s the cat? Where’s the cradle?”
They may not have had pancakes to eat right after, though. That is a HUGE draw. Could you save some for me???
Ramana, quite a worthy set of answers to my questions. Nirvana via Blogs.
As Spock would say, “Fascinating!” Escaping both suffering and the cycle of rebirth via blogs. Now THAT is a worthy goal! And I think Grannymar is already there…
Gail – I’m tied up in knots in the cat’s cradle! Thanks for stepping up and admitting that some of us don’t have a clue when Conrad’s intellect starts to hang out! lol
Gail.
I’ve been trying to figure him out since the day he was born, lol. There is a lot in that head of his and once in awhile it just explodes all over the place…….and then he comes back.
They are talking about tornadoes on the news so I’ll get off this thing and shut it down for the night…..we may spend the night in the basement.
Corky