“Dear future generations: please accept our apologies. Source We were roaring drunk on petroleum.”
Kurt Vonnegut possessed a unique talent for blending dark humor with biting social commentary. His apology to the future stands as one of his most prophetic and memorable statements. It captures the reckless abandon of the industrial age. Furthermore, it frames our reliance on fossil fuels not just as a habit, but as a dangerous intoxication. This metaphor resonates deeply today as society grapples with climate change. Vonnegut saw the party ending long before the music stopped. He knew the hangover would be severe. Consequently, he offered a preemptive apology to those who would inherit the headache.
The Origins of a Prophetic Apology
Many fans debate the exact wording and timeline of this famous quote. However, the historical record provides a clear path to its inception. Vonnegut did not simply utter this phrase once. Instead, he refined it over several years. He seemingly tested the waters with variations before settling on the definitive version we quote today.
Specifically, the concept of humanity being “drunk” on oil appeared in his public discourse around 2005. During an interview with USA Today in October of that year, Vonnegut connected his own birth year to the rise of the automobile. He noted that the country was “roaring drunk on petroleum” when he arrived in 1922. Moreover, he asserted that we remained in that intoxicated state. This interview marks the first documented instance of him using this specific imagery.
Solidifying the Message
Vonnegut polished the phrase into its final form shortly after that initial interview. Source In February 2006, he spoke at the Connecticut Forum. During this event, he delivered the complete apology that has since become famous. Reporters documented his speech accurately.
This specific formulation adds a crucial layer of empathy. He does not merely describe the situation. On the contrary, he asks for forgiveness. This shift turns a social critique into a personal plea. It acknowledges guilt. It admits that the current generation understands the damage it causes yet continues the behavior. Thus, the quote becomes a confession rather than just an observation.
Roaring vs. Rolling: Clearing the Confusion
A persistent error plagues this quote in the digital age. Internet users frequently substitute the word “roaring” with “rolling.” You might see “We were rolling drunk on petroleum” on social media platforms like Tumblr or Twitter. Nevertheless, this variation is incorrect. Vonnegut consistently used the word “roaring.”
The word choice matters significantly. “Roaring” evokes the “Roaring Twenties,” a decade synonymous with excess, parties, and the explosion of automobile culture. It suggests a loud, boisterous, and aggressive type of intoxication. Conversely, “rolling” implies a passive, stumbling state. Vonnegut, a master of language, chose his words with precision. He intended to invoke the energy and noise of the internal combustion engine. Therefore, “roaring” fits his intended imagery perfectly.
Visual Proof of Authorship
We have more than just newspaper reports to verify the correct wording. Vonnegut created physical art that preserves his exact message. In April 2007, the Indianapolis Art Center displayed an exhibition of his work titled “Confetti.” One specific screen print in this collection featured the apology.
The artwork includes the text: “Dear future generations: please accept our apologies. We were roaring drunk on petroleum.” He signed it “Love, 2006 A.D.” This visual evidence leaves no room for doubt. The author explicitly chose “roaring” for his visual legacy. Furthermore, he sent this same phrase via fax to magazine editors shortly before his death. He wanted this message to survive him. Clearly, he viewed it as a final note to the world he was leaving behind.
Historical Echoes of Intoxication
Interestingly, Vonnegut was not the first person to link petroleum with drunkenness. History offers a bizarre, literal example of this metaphor. In 1882, a newspaper in Macon, Georgia, ran a story titled “Drunk On Petroleum Oil.” The report detailed a strange incident involving an oil well owner.
This man had invested everything he owned into drilling. When he finally struck oil, he stood by the tank to watch his fortune accumulate. However, the fumes overwhelmed him. The gases rendered him unconscious and intoxicated. He literally became drunk on the vapors of his own success. While Vonnegut used the phrase metaphorically over a century later, this 19th-century event foreshadowed our dizzying relationship with black gold. We lose our senses when the oil starts flowing.
Why the Metaphor Endures
Vonnegut’s quote persists because it perfectly encapsulates the modern condition. We behave like addicts. We consume resources voraciously. We ignore the consequences. Additionally, the “party” atmosphere of the 20th century—fueled by cheap energy—feels like a long night of drinking. Now, we face the morning after.
The apology implies that we know better. It suggests that deep down, society understands the unsustainability of its lifestyle. Yet, like a drunk person refusing to leave the bar, we order another round. Vonnegut captures this tragedy with wit. He makes us laugh, but the laughter sticks in our throats. We realize the joke is on us.
Conclusion
Kurt Vonnegut left us many gifts through his writing. However, his apology regarding petroleum remains one of his most poignant contributions. He correctly identified the manic energy driving industrial civilization. He labeled it “roaring drunk.” By rejecting the incorrect “rolling” variant, we honor his specific intent and his mastery of language. We must remember the apology as he wrote it. Ultimately, his words serve as a warning. We can continue the party, or we can start sobering up. The future generations he addressed are arriving now, and they are waiting for an explanation.