My problems regarding Ayn Rand

I have objections to Ayn Rand, but not the qualms that are usually cited. I don't hate her philosophy because I think she is evil and hates the poor and want them to die. Nor do I think it is because she loves the rich, or because she wants corporations to run the world.

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[modelmark]

Rand through Galt in AS: money is the canary in the coal mine of the virtue in society. (something like that)

I tend to agree with that. Debasement of the currency is a good barometer of how much looting is going on.

Doesn't she more glorify the production of wanted goods and services than money as such? Maybe she saw the amount of money desired products/services yielded in the market place as a measure of their value.

[McDicker96]

@modelmark I am against fiat currency debasement as well.  It is not that I think money or production of goods is without value, its just that I think Rand implies money is of objectively more importance than anything else a human can value. While I'm sure there are many people who do rate money above everything else, I still think value, even of money, is based on personal preference, and its possible, even preferable for people to value other things more, such as art for example.

[modelmark]

@McDicker96 I think there is no one who rates money above everything else. I am sure of it. She bought cigarettes, so at the time of purchase, she valued the cigarettes over the money, that is why she gave up the money for the cigarettes. She would not have done that if she valued money above everything else. She must have spent money on lots of other things as well, which she than evidently valued higher than money.

[McDicker96]

@modelmark I was more responding to her philosophy then her actions during life. I her books that's the point I think she is trying to make. Regarding ciggs I thought she liked them mainly for the fact they symbolized "mans reason" to her.

Anyway thanks for the comment and interest, maybe I will make another clarifying my stance more.

[modelmark]

@McDicker96 Everyone has to buy lots of things and people who love money above all else have to eat cat food, because that would be cheapest to stay alive and they can hoard most money. But I don't think she advocated that in her books as well. She had a thing for beauty (architecture in fountain head) as well, which needs the sacrifice of money. Also in A.S. talented people took mediocre jobs which earned them little money(the strike). They did not want to give their output to their enemies.

[McDicker96]

@modelmark I understand that money is desired because it can be used to purchase other things. As Robert Lefevre said they way most people spend money one could come to the conclusion they must hate it because they're always getting rid of it at every possible oppurtunity. My point is that "making money" is a central tenant of western society as well as Ayn Rand's philosophy. Its not that I think she spent her time fantasizing about money like some Dickensian caricature.

[IndyAndy1]

Good Lord, man! PLEASE talk slower next time: I can barely understand you!

[mzmaj7]

Perhaps the difference between you and Ayn Rand is that whereas you exalt the starving artist, she would much rather see them get paid.

[mzmaj7]

Howard Roark was just as much a hero to Rand when he was poor as when he was rich, because her ultimate goal is the flourishing of the individual's talents. If your reading of the book was right, Gail Wynand would have been the hero.

[warnation101]

You nailed it dude.

[electronicoffee]

Rand was an EVIL CUNT. She went back on her own way of thinking in later life when she began accepting government aid (welfare) and government healthcare for her CANCER because she smoked her entire life. She's a SELFISH MORON who grew up in a world where you had to steal to eat, but America and MODERN LIVING is nothing like the world she lived in. Her 'I only care about me' way of thinking is outdated, barbaric, destructive, disgusting, amoral, and shows what a real hypocrite she was in life.

[jacobthelioneater]

HAHAHAHA "In reality, people churn out whatever garbage they want to get money and sometimes get rich doing it". Then it shows a pictures of twilight. XD

[bluewizard52]

Capitalists are Ferengis with small ears

[libertascreare]

What about Howard Roark who took a job in a quarry as "honest" work? The irony not withstanding, even the Holy Bible says you must work for "your bread". Sit in a place creating beautiful sculpture but don't show it to anyone and see how long you live without eating. You will have to start working either at making food instead or selling your sculptures. Money (only a token now) is the value we give in exchange for something we not only want but possible need. I disagree with your premise.

[lguembes57]

All depends upon what do people generally think is money and why it was invented. There is very old evidence of the invention of money well before 12000 years ago and the meaning was the same intended then but forgotten today: To provide the able to exchange with the able in mutual agreement and value.

Therefore, money is a reward for ability and not a bailout for need, however, "printing money" is not the same as "making money", because the intrinsic value of money is destroyed.