Recommended Reading for ExJWs: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

by Jehalapeno 22 Replies latest social entertainment

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  Sanchy

  I'm almost done reading it. The book seems to be a prophetic warning to what we currently see occurring in the political world with the push to antagonize wealth.
  

  Indeed I'd agree that ExJWs should indeed read her books, if even to have an alternate view presented to the leftist ideology many will be exposed to in colleges and other institutions. Her earlier book "Anthem" would be even more appropriate for exJWs, as the story more closely examines the dangers of complete collectivism, where self identity is thoroughly eliminated in favor the of the many. A concept very relatable to JWism.
  
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  Wasanelder Once

  After listening to an lengthy interview with her:

  Ayan Rand
  

  I found this comical presentation very prescient:

  Last week
  
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  cofty

  I'm confused, is Jimmy Young a fan of Rand or not?

  More objective information about her philosophy can be found at the Ayan Rand Society website.

  I will read her. It's good to reflect on ideas that you are not instinctively attracted to.

  The late Christopher Hitchens observed in his usual witty style that it is incredible that there is a party in America who think we are not yet selfish enough.

  Stephen Hicks is a member of the Rand Society and I greatly admire his discourses on philosophy. I can't see me ever adopting full-blown Libertarianism.

  The distinction between individualism of liberal democracies and the collectivism of the Right (Fascist) and Left (Communist) systems is crucial.

  There is a happy place somewhere between Ayn Rand and Pol Pot.
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  jp1692

  JY: Rand . . . did not live by her own crazy ideology.

  True dat.

  In spite of her claiming to be fiercely individualistic and her development of the Objectivist philosophy, she ultimately was a cult leader of sorts.

  Nevertheless, Anthem is a very accessible work and can help fading and faded JWs to work through their cult indoctrination.
  
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  Jehalapeno

  Stephen Hicks is a member of the Rand Society and I greatly admire his discourses on philosophy. I can't see me ever adopting full-blown Libertarianism.

  I prefer to keep my Libertarianism to my own life and where I make the most impact. I focus on my work, teach my kids that hard work pays off and show them that just because someone is wildly successful doesn't entitle you to what they've earned.
  
  
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  Jehalapeno

  In her philosophy she expressed that there is no such thing as altruism, that everyone exists for their own selfish needs.

  This is incorrect. She thinks that altruism is a negative thing rather than a positive thing.

  And her definition of "selfish" has to do with "rational self-interest."

  She argues that the ultimate moral value, for each human individual, is his or her own well-being. Since selfishness (as she understands it) is serious, rational, principled concern with one's own well-being, it turns out to be a prerequisite for the attainment of the ultimate moral value. For this reason, Rand believes that selfishness is a virtue.
  ...
  Rand understands, though, that the popular usage of the word "selfish" is different from the meaning she ascribes to it. Many people use the adjective "selfish" to describe regard for one's own welfare to the disregard of the well-being of others.
  ...
  For her, the truly selfish person is a self-respecting, self-supporting human being who neither sacrifices others to himself nor sacrifices himself to others.

  Read more: https://atlassociety.org/commentary/commentary-blog/4141-virtue-of-selfishness
  
  
  
  
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  JimmyYoung

  I don't subscribe to Rand's rants. She was out and out nuts. There is always a small seed of truth in any cult. Giving money and things to those who do not work for it does not work. Communism and Socialism do not work. Having Capitalism that has regulation and social safety nets works. The same people who yell keep the government out of my health care will pull a gun if you say lets end Medicare and Social Security. These programs are not socialism but a social safety net. I am for making people receiving things like Medicaid and welfare food stamps ect work for what they get. This idea that some welfare queen sitting home smoking crack and spreading her legs popping out more welfare babies and having the state pay for it is stupid. But if you make them do drug testing and then work to get what they are getting I am all for it. It may not even be a fair trade as to how hard they can work for what they get but drug testing and make them do something. Pick up trash, paint a gov. building wash floors or sweep sidewalks. But Rand's ideas lead to unrest and riots. If you implemented Ayn's crazy ideas there would be a revolution and we would have communism. Learning from history is key. WW2 was started by the harsh treatment of the German empire after WW1. We found that by building up a country we have had so far heading for a century of trade partners and stable nations. IMO the far left and the far right are both crazy. This is not an either or thing. There is a middle way.
  
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  JimmyYoung

  Also if you read Rand she was not for democracy. She was in favor of a dictatorship ruled by the wealthy and smart which she felt were one in the same.
  
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  JoenB75

  Socialiberal nuts do not believe in democracy but elitist rule ☺️. We have many of these terrorbirds in Europe
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  JimmyYoung

  B75, that seems to be the case on both radical ends of the spectrum. Although we don't live in the USA in a democracy but a republic, the power still lays with the voters. Both radical sides don't like this. The never Trumpers are case in point. They don't like Trump and want to over throw the will of the people in favor of the elitists point of view. People like Bill Kristol come to mind. He is an elitist idiot who would love to see power only with the wealthy elite.