RKS literature – Page 21 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Literature: At the Devil’s Ball (Bulgakov)

“And in general, may I be so bold as to offer you some advice, Margarita Nikolayevna, never ever be afraid of anything. That’s unwise. The ball will be lavish, that I won’t try to hide from you. We’ll see some people that wielded power in their day. But, truly, when one thinks how microscopically smallContinue reading “RKS Literature: At the Devil’s Ball (Bulgakov) “

RKS Literature: The Sovereignty of the American People (Vonnegut)

“The sovereignty of the United States resides in the people, not the machines, and it’s the people to take back if they so wish. The machines,” said Paul, “have exceeded the personal sovereignty willingly surrendered to them by the American people for good government. Machines and the pursuit of efficiency have robbed the American peopleContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Sovereignty of the American People (Vonnegut)”

RKS Literature: The Fork on the Road (Vonnegut)

“Every child older than six knew the fork, and knew what the good guys did here, and what the bad guys did here. The fork was a familiar one in folk tales the world over, and the good guys and the bad guys, whether in chaps, breechclouts, serapes, leopardskins or banker’s grey pinstripes, all separatedContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Fork on the Road (Vonnegut)”

RKS Literature: What Are Public Relations? (Vonnegut)

“Please, what are public relations?” said Kashdrahr. “That profession, “said Haylard, quoting by memory from the Manual, “that profession specializing in the cultivation, by applied psychology in mass communication media, of favorable public opinion with regard to controversial issues and institutions, without being offensive to anyone of importance, and the continued stability of the economyContinue reading “RKS Literature: What Are Public Relations? (Vonnegut)”

RKS Literature: Proper Corporate Drinking (Vonnegut)

“There wasn’t the inimitable hoarseness of an honest-to-God drunk in the lot. It was unthinkable that there was a man in the saloon without a glass in his hand, but it was also unlikely that many men would have their glass filled more than twice. They didn’t drink at the Meadows now the way thatContinue reading “RKS Literature: Proper Corporate Drinking (Vonnegut)”

RKS Literature: War and Greatness (Vonnegut)

“There is something about war that brings out greatness. I hate to say that, but it’s true. Of course, maybe that’s because you can get great so quick in a war. Just one damn fool thing for a couple of seconds, and you’re great. I could be the greatest barber in the world, and maybeContinue reading “RKS Literature: War and Greatness (Vonnegut)”

RKS Literature: A Corporate Executive Expresses His Love for the “Common People” After Many Highballs (Vonnegut)

“It was a generalized love-particularly for the little people, the common people, God bless them. All his life they had been hidden from him by the walls of his ivory tower. Now, this night, he had come among them, shared their hopes and disappointments, understood their yearnings, discovered the beauty of their simplicities and theirContinue reading “RKS Literature: A Corporate Executive Expresses His Love for the “Common People” After Many Highballs (Vonnegut)”

RKS Literature: Suffering from a Lack of Suffering (Ben Lerner)

“On the one hand, Klaus, surely the only man in Topeka outfitted in white linen, could not take these kids-with their refrigerators full of food, their air conditioning and television, their freedom from stigma and state violence-seriously; what could be more obvious than the fact that they did not know what suffering was, that ifContinue reading “RKS Literature: Suffering from a Lack of Suffering (Ben Lerner)”

RKS Literature: Not Having the Right Stuff to be an Executive (Kurt Vonnegut Jr.)

“Both were lighthearted, undaunted by ambition as they sauntered along the factory gate, outside of which was the Acme Grill. It had been made clear to both of them that they didn’t have the priceless stuff of which executives were made. So, unlike so many wide-eyed and hustling men all around them, they were toContinue reading “RKS Literature: Not Having the Right Stuff to be an Executive (Kurt Vonnegut Jr.)”

RKS Literature: Why Executives Die Young (Kurt Vonnegut Jr.)

“The reason executives die young is that they don’t know how to delegate authority,” said Hackleman. “This should add twenty years to my life, because I hereby delegate to you my full authority as publicity director, just tendered to me by the Chamber of Commerce. The door of opportunity is wide open. If your publicityContinue reading “RKS Literature: Why Executives Die Young (Kurt Vonnegut Jr.)”