While re-reading some of God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater I came across another Kilgore Trout section. I decided it's an appropriate follow-up to my previous post:
"Trout's favorite formula was to describe a perfectly hideous society, not unlike his own, and then, toward the end, to suggest ways in which it could be improved. In 2BRO2B he hypothecated an America in which almost all of the work was done by machines, and the only people who could get work had three or more Ph.D's. There was a serious overpopulation problem, too."
(p.21-22)
Vonnegut goes on to describe Trout's 2BRO2B -- in which overpopulation is so dire, the government funds "ethical suicide centers." Vonnegut somehow turns this tragic idea into an absurdly funny metaphysical punchline, which you should just read yourself if you're interested enough.
But again his sci-fi novel within a satire resonated with me: "the only people who could get work had three or more Ph.D's. There was a serious overpopulation problem, too." When Vonnegut wrote this, these issues were not part of the time's common dialogue. And yet now, how many people, struggling to find work, do you know who are now returning to graduate school simply to fill the time productively - and hope they come out the other end better poised to find work. His hyperbole isn't quite as hyperbolic anymore. Not to mention the overpopulation angle.
Again I'm in awe of Vonnegut! "Hypothecated" is a good one too.