6 thoughts on “Ayn Rand”

  1. Reflecting on Steve Benen’s observations… I too first read Atlas Shrugged thirty-five to forty years ago at age fifteen to twenty, having been introduced to me as “science fiction”. Totally immersed in SF at the time I found it 1) less science than fiction, not unlike Wells or Huxley, and 2) science fiction noir, dark, humorless and as science possibility totally unbelievable.

    Not to mention that as “literature” it was incredibly poorly written.

    Opinion hasn’t changed since.

  2. Probably began reading it in college when it was recommended as SF by friends. Probably read only a few pages because it was so badly written. I know I never finished it, I’ve never been a forced reader. If a book doesn’t grab within a chapter, that’s it.

  3. — There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs. — John Rogers
    http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/03/ephemera-2009-7.html

  4. B, B & T bank has subsidized a little department in our university business school. The terms of the grant are that a course be taught (Economics 450 Comparative Economic Systems) in which the main text is “Atlas Shrugged”, a public lecture be given once a year on the greatness of capitalism and every senior in the business school be given a free copy of “Atlas Shrugged”. They pay for a secretary and a bonus for a professor to teach the course. For real. And there are several others.

    http://www.marshall.edu/lcob/about/bbt-center-for-the-advancement-of-american-capitalism/

  5. “It disturbs me greatly that actual grownups in positions of power believe this crap.”

    It disturbs the rest of us greatly that there are actual grownups who can’t resist using their power to subjugate the worker. Since you fail to understand Rand’s ideas, you will necessarily be surprised when resistance to involuntary servitude arises among the people. Perhaps you can encourage the passing of more laws and regulations to continue their oppression. In the meantime, “Power to the People!”

  6. you guys need new mal mots against Miss Rand. Those you posted are tired and hoary. And long trashed by thousands.

    the reality is: Rand is for adults who got electrified by her fire, radicalism and truth about man and did not abandon their love for the vision we are all born with, and she voiced.

    Sorry you guys couldn’t make it.

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