Anyone read Ayn Rand?

For those that have, do you see any resemblances in what is happening in today's society and what basically occurred in her most famous novel "Atlas Shrugged?"

Not a thesis question, just wondering. And if you haven't read her books, do!

Vs

 

Yup. In college, of my own direction, not for classes.
"Anthem"
"Philosophy, who needs it?"
"Atlas Shrugged"
"The Fountainhead"
They're kind of a blur anymore; perhaps they need to be dusted off.

 

I've got "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged". AS scares me.

 

In addition to her books, Ayn Rand heavily influenced some of the music & lyrics of my favorite band - RUSH. The drummer (and lyracist) Neil Peart weaves threads throughout their 34+ years of music - the individual against the oppressive, creativity & free-thinking vs. conformity, the individual struggle with “who am I”, etc.

Specifically, check out 2112 (from the album 2112) and Anthem & Fly By Night (from the album Fly By Night) inspired by “Anthem” and Entre Nous (from the album Permanent Waves) inspired by “The Fountainhead” (Howard Roark specifically) and other favorites like Tom Sawyer (Moving Pictures), New World Man, Analog Kid (Signals) The Pass, War Paint (Presto), A Farewell to Kings (A Farewell to Kings) etc. etc… I’m not as especially fond of the political undertones as I am the pure drama/adventure of her works. But dang, that RUSH music - Can’t get enough!

 

Thanks, Par, I didn't know any of that about Rush. I'll have to get a few of the cd's you've mentioned.

I have been particularly fond of her political views, especially the views that America had the possibility to become a socialist state, which with welfare, govt stimulus checks, etc, we have apparently reached that point already. My favorite part about her is that she came from another country but knew what America was supposed to be about better than people who had lived here all their lives.

But her philosophical views have impacted me as well. When you get down to it,the people that she writes about,the heros and heroines,are the people who read her books and realize that they have felt the oppression in their lifetime and had the strenght to fight back. Her writings are not for everyone. I know people who would rather not be an individual and would just rather fit in with everyone else. Interestingly enough, these are the same people who would rather be on welfare and gladly accept stimulus checks.

Vs

 

I hope you enjoy the music...

I thimk I'm so political in daily life, I don't think about it much when I read for intertainment. However, I like Rand's views on free markets, anti-communist (born & raised in Russia can do that!), libertarianism and individualism (one of the most important American philosophies). Not sure about the anti-God/religon though (born & raised in Russia can do that too!). Regardless, all great reads.

I believe the Fountainhead was made into a movie in the late 40s/early 50s with Gary Cooper, tho I've never seen it.

 

I'd have to agree with you on that one. And Individualism was definately one of the greatest things taught to Americans since the countries founding, it just seems like much of that is being lost with todays globalized society.

The Fountainhead was made into a movie, my wife gave me a hardback of the book and the dvd for our anniversary. Rand wrote the screenplay and even still the film lost a little in translation. Good nonetheless.

Vs

 

One passage from AS that really seems to be our country today:

Atlas Shrugged , Ch. III, "White Blackmail" ---

Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris.
"We want them broken. You'd better get it straight.

That it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against.
Then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures.

We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we
know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it.
There's no way to rule innocent men.

The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals.
Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them.

One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes
impossible for men to live without breaking laws.

Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens?
What's there in that for anyone?

But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor
enforced nor objectively interpreted, and you create a nation of law-breakers
and then you cash in on guilt.

Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you
understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."

 

That is a great example of what I was talking about! Those things seem like what todays politicians would say to someone that was bucking the system. The principles presented by Rand seem even more relevant to me when I'm out riding, expressing my individuality, feeling free, until I'm slammed back into reality by some horrible vision of todays society. Ah Ayn Rand! gotta love her.

Vs

 

Ol' Ayn Rand was very influential in my libertarian thinking. She helped draw me away from socialism and the promises it makes, which in reality when applied to a society are traps and lies designed to enslave an individuals soveriegnty.

If you want to read a book that will really blow your hair back, check out "The Arrogance of Humanism" by David Ehrenfeld. You can find copies of his book through Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more. He's a professor at Rutgers. Hands down one of the best books I've ever read.

BZ

 

I haven't read those books since I was in University! Her writing style is wonderful, if I remember correctly. Maybe I'll read her again. But - if I don't like it - "no more soup for her!" LOL!
So - has this become "the book of the month club" on the VFR site?

 

I read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged during high school, in the 1970's. I was usually stoned as I read both.

The iconoclastic protagonist in the Fountainhead is supposedly loosely based on the life of the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.


In Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand introduces her political/philosophical concept of selfish objectivism (or was it objective selfishism? I can't reacall which one right now.). She puts forth the idea that greed is basically good, while altruism ought not be taken too far. She also puts forth a powerful indictment of the Welfare State, and instead promotes capitalism, individualism, entepreneurism, etc.

The main protagonists in Atlas Shrugged are iconoclastic, including a woman. (Very cool, in my opinion.) Written in the 1950's, long into the Industrial Revolution, but early on the in the post World War II, Cold War era, Atlas Shrugged promoted individual responsibility and productivity, while warning about the prospect of a government takeover of the U.S. economy.

Atlas Shrugged has been cited as being a seminal early and powerful influence on the shaping of the basic political planks of the modern Republican Party. (It's interesting to note that Thomas Jefferson was strongly opposed to the formation of divisive political parties within the newly created United States of America.)

In my humble opinion, our society does have a rightminded obligation in which those who have much should help and give to those who temporarily have less. Paraphrasing Bill Clinton, welfare should be viewed as a way out [of poverty] rather than a way of life.