Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged Conference

[MrFreedomworks]

I'm half way through the book Atlas, its great. I think all Americans should read this book.

[CptSchmidt]

Ironically, these people claim to be against collectivism. I don't know about you, but these people have formed a collective just by forming things like the ARI and Atlas Society. Conveniently, they forget that Ayn Rand was staunchly against forming a collective to spread her ideas.

[madelinefauchelevant]

Imagine shagging a woman who looks like Ayn Rand. Surely that would count as degenerate according to her view of sex

[Scrapheap71]

Aren't these people what's leftover of Ayn Rand's cult of personality?? (those who were in the "leadership")

[operationmongoose]

Cult of personality...? If anything I would say a detractor could say a cult of ideas. I think she had many great ideas about humans and social systems but I by no means consider her to be infallible.

[Scrapheap71]

Actually, it was a fan of hers, Dr. Michael Shermer who wrote about how her Objectivist movement descended into personality worship. It's in his book "Why people believe weird things" Chapter 8, "The Unlikeliest Cult"

[operationmongoose]

Good for Dr. Shermer. As far as this conference, the magazine, the ARI, all seem more concerned with her philosophy and ideas than personality worship.

[Kinshasa9200]

ayn rand had some problems and seemed rather cold. she claimed that aristotle was her only influence and besides that objectivism was unique, which is just stupid because her idea of the world was the original america minus the whole slavery thing. doubt i could ever be a friend of hers. however she is a great thinker who's ideas of achievement and liberty are in great need of today's collectivist society.

[alcarp]

You felt compelled to post a response comment which initially criticizes ayn rand, but ultimately compliments her. Why? What is it you're trying to say without saying it? You claim you doubt you could ever be a friend of hers -- allow me to resolve your doubt: you never will (she died in 1982). Besides, what makes you think she would care to be friends with you anyway? She wouldn't.

[Kinshasa9200]

i never meant to criticze objectivism.frankly ayn seemed liked a bitch. She cheated on her husband, but then slandered branden when he cheated/left her. that doesn't mean i don't respect her. i am in the middle of atlas shrugged, and i love it. And you're absolutely correct; i would not be her friend, we just have different personalities. i was just trying to show the good and bad side of rand to scraphead71, as it seemed he was criticzing her. does this clarify anything? i dont wanna be an ass.

[alcarp]

I don't know anything about the activities you suggest Ayn was involved with. I've never heard about them before, but I've only recently discovered her work. I suppose if you love Atlas Shrugged, we have more in common than not. I still don't understand what point you're trying to make, but sorry about the tone of my previous comment.

[columbo1988]

you completely failed at understanding his point,that fact that he agreed on with her views,BUT only disagreed on slavery and her general attitude when interacting with people.

[Jazzper79]

Kinshasa9200

If you buy a book and the information is great, why do you critize the author? -- I actually think you should be ashamed, because her ideas would not even have entered your mind, if it was not for her. She was cold because she was an individualist -- and yes I think that Frank O´connor should have dropped Ayn, because of the thing with Nathaniel Branden.

Jesper 28, Denmark

[advancethinking]

You are contradicting yourself. Objectivism is unique in the fact that is the only philosophy since the Founding Fathers that promotes individual rights. What original America and world are you talking about? She correctly asserted that America is a candle in the dark when it comes to the morality that is ubiquitous in the world surrounding the U.S.

[sulthus]

i see your point but i think shes right

[AynRandMotor]

Here's a scoop for your 'MainlineMagazine' MrHudgins:

The MotOR\GeneratOR of Her Philosophy fOR Living on eARth

is built and productive. You had to know it was inevitable- Come and "Judge for yourself" - June103AR -

And I mean it.