A critical argument found throughout much of Vonnegut’s works is the belief in the perversion of the advancements of science to benefit one specific group instead of humanity as a whole. Vonnegut specifically uses the invention of “ice-nine” as his method for delving into the topic. Ice-nine, an ice crystal that can cause all other types of water to immediately turn into ice-nine, was created by Felix Hoenikker for the purpose of clearing out mud for the Marines. A colleague of Dr. Hoenikker, Dr. Breed, states right before the introduction of ice-nine that “new knowledge is the most valuable commodity on earth. The more truth we have to work with, the richer we become,” this, however, directly contradicts his next main argument which says that…show more content… This parodic style of writing mocks the general sentiment present but does so in a sardonic tone. Yet another example shows up near the climax of the book where Vonnegut writes, speaking of how the ice-nine was used by the siblings, “I bought myself a job, just the way you bought yourself a tomcat husband, just the way new bought himself a week on cape cod with a Russian midget!” (Vonnegut 163). This directly shows how instead of turning in the world ending scientific advancement, the siblings instead used it themselves to get into positions of power or to simply elevate their status in life. Although a specific example of improper usages of science and its marvels, this directly goes to show the perversion of science for the sake of benefiting one specific group. One out of the many scientific advancements turned into a weapon, is the creation of the atomic bomb. David Nathanson writes “the shock and depression among scientists in general about the disaster produced in Japan [in reference to the usage of atomic bombs] was very deep… Many were seriously disturbed and distressed about this ‘monstrous perversion of science [a quote by Winston Churchill]’”
