Talk about slamming extreme socialist/collectivist thinking, she doesn't pull any punches at all, but on the other end she seems to be promoting a brand of individualism that doesn't sit right with me. I am all for being self sufficient, but being self sufficient to the point of being extremely selfish in the way you live your life that you put all your needs/wants/desires above everyone is as doomed to fail as the other extreme. It was a good read. Someday I'll try and get through some of her heavier novels.
I've never read any of her stories, but I saw The Fountainhead movie and really enjoyed it.
Your description reminds me of Xarin (?) from the OB. He was an individualist to the extreme.
Quote from: Eric on December 29, 2008, 03:08:49 PM
Your description reminds me of Xarin (?) from the OB. He was an individualist to the extreme.
Probably a Rand disciple. I've been reading about her and some people buy into her philosophy 100%.
QuoteI've never read any of her stories
I've tried Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead years ago, but just couldn't get into them. Someday I'll try again.
Quote from: Spooky on December 29, 2008, 02:35:02 PM
Talk about slamming extreme socialist/collectivist thinking, she doesn't pull any punches at all, but on the other end she seems to be promoting a brand of individualism that doesn't sit right with me. I am all for being self sufficient, but being self sufficient to the point of being extremely selfish in the way you live your life that you put all your needs/wants/desires above everyone is as doomed to fail as the other extreme. It was a good read. Someday I'll try and get through some of her heavier novels.
For me, it was just the right amount of her individualism... I haven't been able to make my way through the more "important" novels. Violet did an interesting discussion of 'Atlas Shrugged"
Just got a copy of Atlas Shrugged and I think the paperback weighs 10 pounds!
What the frak have I gotten myself into?!
Started reading yesterday ~ only got up to the 2nd chapter (I tend to read slowly with unfamiliar material, plus I was having concentration and napping issues), but they've already mentioned "Who is John Galt?" three times.
I hope I don't need Cliffs Notes for it. :-[
So far so good. One thing's for sure: it's bound to make me tired if I read it late at night. (so ashamed)
Quote from: Pearl@32 on March 24, 2009, 08:50:54 AM
Just got a copy of Atlas Shrugged and I think the paperback weighs 10 pounds!
What the frak have I gotten myself into?!
Started reading yesterday ~ only got up to the 2nd chapter (I tend to read slowly with unfamiliar material, plus I was having concentration and napping issues), but they've already mentioned "Who is John Galt?" three times.
I hope I don't need Cliffs Notes for it. :-[
So far so good. One thing's for sure: it's bound to make me tired if I read it late at night. (so ashamed)
I have it on my Kindle, but haven't read it yet. I just realized I have over 100 books on my Kindle and have only read just under 30 of them. I have to stop buying and catch up!!!
Almost as bad as your Netflix Que?
Quote from: Pearl@32 on March 24, 2009, 11:25:13 AM
Almost as bad as your Netflix Que?
I've only got 422 in my Q. :popcorn:
Quote from: Spooky on December 29, 2008, 02:35:02 PM
Talk about slamming extreme socialist/collectivist thinking, she doesn't pull any punches at all, but on the other end she seems to be promoting a brand of individualism that doesn't sit right with me. I am all for being self sufficient, but being self sufficient to the point of being extremely selfish in the way you live your life that you put all your needs/wants/desires above everyone is as doomed to fail as the other extreme. It was a good read. Someday I'll try and get through some of her heavier novels.
The first Ayn Rand that I read... made me think especially since I had just joined the OB and AB was opening my mind to different thoughts.
Why Atlas Shrugged Changes Lives (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdcoDRpizv0#ws)
Almost done with Shrugged (will be by weeks end most likely). A must read IMO. It's long and can be a little slow at times, but the philosophy, themes and politics she explores are as relevant as they were in the 50's when she wrote it.
I think the story itself is intriguing (beyond the love triangle, or square, or something...). Industrialist who understand what the wold is coming to and decide they will have no part in it and decide to walk away and do their own thing. It also has bleeding heart socialists who "seem" to have good intentions, but prefer lead with their power greedy hearts rather than their minds. Our heroine, Dagny Taggart, is one of the industrialists, but she, along with Hank Rearden, just can't give in and let the wold fail at the hands of the looters and moochers. They have to keep fighting the creeping death of socialism until they can't it fight anymore....