Am I a complete ignoramus for not knowing who either Yuri Gagarin or Kurt Vonnegut were?

Answer 1

Not really. I don't know who Yuri Gagarin is, and Kurt Vonnegut was a very successful writer, but more underground than mainstream. Nonetheless, he was a bestseller, has a commet named after him, has been a guest on the Daily Show, and has written many works that have been turned into movies. Leonardo DiCaprio is said to be producing a film of Cat's Cradle due out late this year, though I heard that might have fallen through.

Now that you have heard of him, I recommend checking out his work. Start with Cat's Cradle, Slaughterhouse five or my favorite Breakfast of Champions.

Nick Nolte, Bruce Willis, John Goodman, Kirsten Dunst, Jerry Lewis, Madelin Kahn and Orson Wells all appeared in movies based on his works.

We will miss you Kurt. So it goes.

Answer 2

No. If you were a complete ignoramus, you wouldn't have had the intelligence to ask this question. But, that said, Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space. As for Kurt Vonnegut, all I can recommend is that you read all 14 of his novels. You won't regret the experience.

Answer 3

I'm guessing you're young. Neither man has been a household name for 30 years or so :) Yuri Gagarin was a Russian cosmonaut (astronaut), and the first man in space. He went up on April 12, 1961...46 years ago. Kurt Vonnegut was a science-fiction author, of some absolutely incredible books. I recommend Slaughterhouse-Five (published in 1969) highly, it's one of his most famous.

Answer 4

I care enough to say - Yuri was a cosmonaut, and Kurt was a very fine author. I guess that only makes me a partial ignoramus, since I have said nothing else about them, and have only answered a question about them.

Answer 5

Not really. Their cultural significance is conditioned by the period of time in which their achievements were celebrated and promoted-- which has passed. If you were born in say the decades after the 60's and 70's, you might not have been exposed to their lives. The thing is-- you know who they are now, and that's probably what's important at this point.

Answer 6

Not complete, but close. Read the papers once in a while. Or a book (like Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse Five" or countless others.)

Answer 7

No you're not.
The ignoramus is the one who believes he knows all.
He's usually wrong.

Answer 8

Are they complete ignoramus for not knowing you?

The real question, do you know you?

Answer 9

No. Just a partial one. I don't know who they are either and I read a lot of books. (and not just trash either)

Answer 10

Yes, Yes you are!