Set in a future where science has found a cure for aging and the government must take drastic steps to keep the population within sustainable limits, this chilling short story introduces readers to a father-to-be who is suffering an uncommon despair. The title reads as Shakespeare’s, “To be or not to be” (instead of 0 say, “nought.”)
Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) was the author of such iconic works as Cat’s Cradle (1963), Slaughterhouse Five (1969), and Breakfast of Champions (1973). Known for his playful use of science fiction and humor to plumb dark topics, Vonnegut’s writing was deeply influenced by his experience as a soldier and prisoner during the Second World War.