Beware the barrenness of a busy life.

Busy, busy, busy, is what we Bokononists whisper whenever we think of how complicated and unpredictable the machinery of life really is.

Most people don't remember names, for the simple reason that they don't take the time and energy necessary to concentrate and repeat and fix names indelibly in their minds. They make excuses for themselves; they are too busy.

If you and I don't keep busy - if we sit around and brood - we will hatch out a whole flock of what Charles Darwin used to call the "wibber gibbers". And the "wibber gibbers" are nothing but oldfashioned gremlins that will run us hollow and destroy our power of action and our power of will.

Any psychiatrist will tell you that work - keeping busy - is one of the best anesthetics ever known for
sick nerves.