WHO IS JOHN GALT? (A survey on Ayn Rand) (page 5)

under74

Let's just agree to disagree on this. It's not a slight against you when I say I don't like Rand or her writing. It's just my opinion...you don't have to agree with it.

Who's writing do I like?
I'm partial to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Robert Musil, some Albert Camus, and Hunter S. Thompson.

funkyderek

I first encountered Atlas Shrugged about seven years ago while backpacking around Europe. I had heard of it but didn't know much about it, as Rand seems to be virtually unknown outside the USA.. Anyway, given the dearth of English language books (most of the other options were by Mary Higgins Clark) and the fact that I needed a long book, I bought it.

Never before had I read a novel where all the characters were such wooden caricatures with absurd names, where the heroes were the most gosh-darned heroic and beautiful people you could ever imagine and where the villains were so pathetically weak-willed and mindless. And yet, philosophically, it had a profound effect on me. I changed almost overnight from an anarcho-collectivist into the rational capitalist I am today.

I have since read The Fountainhead and a lot of Rand's nonfiction and have rarely disagreed with her philosophy. I don't think it's as complete as she claims it to be, but her basic premises of individualism and rationality are something I hold dear.

Robert K Stock

whiskeyjack:

While Atlas Shrugged and the Fountainhead are Rands best known novels, my personal favorite is We The Living. It is as close to an autobiography as Rand ever came and I think the best story she ever wrote.

I am far from being upper class. My family is as white trash as they come and I have never made more then $20,000 a year. I was raised by a single mom on welfare and would not have been able to eat lunch at school or see a doctor without help from the government.

Ayn Rand's rugged individualism sounds like the American Way that I was taught by my Grandmother and her brothers.

Whiskeyjack

Thanks Robert.

I've got one of her books in one of my boxes (will dig it out later.) I checked out her institute's site the other night but was looking for a more critical biography . My initial impression wasn't promising but I'll persevere a little more to give her a fair shake.

W.

slimboyfat

John Galt came from Irvine in Ayrshire and wrote crap prose.

Terry

I always find the people who start some sort of societal movement are controversial. Whatever their movement is about, it always seems to shift to a focus on they themselves.

Jesus is a case example. I've always found him to be a pathetic figure; a bit of a do-gooder loser. He is THE person in the world to millions. Go figure.

L.Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology was a very strange guy. Scientologists call him "Ron", like they go out for a Big Mac with him regularly.

Ayn Rand is not loveable as a person. She seems (from afar) to have been, perhaps, afflicted (if that is the word) with Asperber's Syndrome. Yet, she solved the puzzle for me. She bridged the gap in my THINKING from the cult worship of Jehovahdom to being an individual.

I really don't care about her as a person;but, I admire what she did with her mind. She helped me see the nuts and bolts of how the rational mind works. That is what I needed and the rest has been up to me.

I've no desire whatsoever to join any Objectivist group. I got what I needed.

I thought I'd share a bit of it here. But, the posts have mostly been focused on her. More's the pity.

T.

EvilForce

To be fair Terry you did ask specifically about her.... you should have posted A survey on her Work otherwise no?

You comments are Jesus are noted. But because she is a lightning rod both supporters and detractors go overborad. Rabid fanatics of any kind will hang on every word like some kind of New Light might be shed if they reread the book again and again. Detractors dismiss the entire set of writings because as a person she wasn't perfect ( who is ) and thus it's easier to dismiss her work.

But as I have posted previously... I think she is an awesome author but she is no societal savior. No I will not drink that Kool Aid sir !

Robert K Stock

whiskeyjack:

Ayn Rand's philosophy Objectivism is divided into three distinct schools of thought as well as individuals who are not part of any "organized" Objectivism.

The Ayn Rand Institute ( in Southern California ) is in my opinion dogmatic, unfriendly and the source of the name "Randroid." If you do not accept their interpretation of Rand you are an apostate and worse then a Socialist. Agree with them 100% or go to Objectivist Hell. Since I am a member of the Libertarian Party the Ayn Rand Institute would not even allow me the privilege to join in their discussions. There are actual disclaimers stating "Libertarians need not apply"

The Objectivist Center ( in Washington DC ) began in opposition to ARI intolerance and it's founder David Kelly was "disfellowshipped" by ARI. TOC looks to Rand as the begining of the discussion not the end. I recommend people interested in Objectivism to contact the Objectivist Center and not the Ayn Rand Institute. The Objectivist Center wants non Objectivists to paticipate and hopefully learn as much as they can to improve their lives, businesses and communities.

New Zealand is the home of the Sense Of Life Objectivists. They are more tolerant of different thought than ARI and completely unlike the Ayn Rand Institute SOLO has a sense of humor but are not as willing to work with others who are not Objectivists.

Terry

The Ayn Rand Institute ( in Southern California ) is in my opinion dogmatic, unfriendly and the source of the name "Randroid." If you do not accept their interpretation of Rand you are an apostate and worse then a Socialist. Agree with them 100% or go to Objectivist Hell. Since I am a member of the Libertarian Party the Ayn Rand Institute would not even allow me the privilege to join in their discussions. There are actual disclaimers stating "Libertarians need not apply

Isn't it amazing how almost ANY system of thought ends up in the same fragmentation as RELIGION?

It is absolutely amazing!

It seems a part of the nature of the Universe that things must split off and evolve into differences. Then one set of differences becomes the natural enemy of the other and sees it as either food or a threat.

Amazing!

This makes the whole concept of World Peace into a sort of Fool's Paradise of imaginary thought.

Think about it. Depressing.....

BurnTheShips

From what I know about you, and the discussions we have had, I really think you would get a kick out of The True Believer by Eric Hoffer
I have that book and think every ex-JW should read it---at least more than once. Much to chew on there, I agree.
T.

For sure. BTS

WHO IS JOHN GALT? (A survey on Ayn Rand)

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