As a liberal (although admittedly not one on the extreme far spectrum) I had no problem with some (not all) of the philosophy of Atlas Shrugged. I would not agree with some of it to the extreme that was suggested, but within reason, it certainly made sense. I think it’s important to remember not only when this was written, but what society was like during that time period.
Admittedly, what I got out of it was quite possibly not what others get out of it, but here goes.
Don’t let society dictate who you are or what you become. Women are both strong and intelligent enough to succeed in fields where men dominate the scene…and to not become any less of a woman. (Not so radical now, but remember when Rand was writing.)
Be productive. Be independent. We obviously have to work together, and that’s fine…but don’t expect to be a grasshopper and have the ants feed you when there’s no real reason that you shouldn’t be out there providing for yourself. Expect to take care of yourself, and not live your life with your hand out and give nothing back in return.
Be responsible for your own actions, and stand tall when you account for them, no matter what others may think. Above all, don’t stand around with your finger up your nose looking for someone to blame instead of rolling up your sleeves and going to work to solve the problem. (And wouldn’t it be nice if we had a bit more of this in today’s society?)
What you do for a living does not have to be what you are. Take pride in what you do, whatever you do, and do it to the best of your ability.
The individual is equally important as, if not more important as, the ‘masses’. Be an individual, even though it’s not easy, and have the intestinal fortitude to stand for what you believe in.
Like I said, maybe not everyone got that out of it, but that’s what I got.
I also disagree with the POV that she was slamming the workers or anyone who wasn’t a wealthy industrialist. Several of the people who were either in Galt’s Gulch or who were in Galt’s chosen were simply workers with good minds and a wish to grow. They were those who used their efforts to create instead of using their efforts to destroy – or worse, using the efforts of others for destructive purposes.
BTW, I hated Lillian Rearden; she and Jim deserved each other, and I was only sorry that Cherryl didn’t end up with Hank. I almost cheered when Dagny gave her the diamond bracelet in exchange…I was just sorry that Dagny didn’t stuff it down the woman’s throat.
But what of the common laborer, who goes on strike for better wages, or better working conditions-IN REAL LIFE-and the boss insists that it is HIS right to NOT pay for these things-are these people simply looters?
AND, let’s say, said place they work for is a monopoly-there is no choice other than said company?
There are no such laborers in Atlas Shrugged. The reason there were strikes in the book is because there were union bosses demanding unreasonable things. According to Rand, Reardon treated his workers well and did his best to make it a safe place to work at a decent wage. There is no mention of exploitation.
In a real-world? Sure, these types of atrocities and child labor and worse were common and were one of the major driving forces behind unions and strikes. They still are. But Rand believes that a good man who is an industrialist never expects more of his people than they can give. He gives all of himself to his work, but isn’t a slave-driver. He pays money to his workers for their work, and it would be unethical to pay them less than the work is worth. Of course this also assumes that there is an objective value of the work done and fair pay can be determined in that manner. This is another place where the philosophy and real life diverge. Workers feel their work is more valuable than management believes their work to be. Such a contradiction is not possible under Rand’s system and unfair pay or too-harsh conditions simply wouldn’t exist. Fair pay is fair pay, the definition of “fair” isn’t subjective. Likewise with working conditions.
Tried to get throught the speech and couldn’t. “I am the man who loves life.” Um…ooookay.
I’m really starting to get annoyed. I’m only going to finish it since I’m almost done and I think it would be a cop out to quit now.
MY GOD…this book is so painful! The characters are insultingly stupid. Come ON, Rand-you don’t REALLY REALLY see liberals like that? Maybe some people in the Soviet Union, but not here!
Oh well-Monday I’m going to the library-I’ll try and find The Dispossed-I looked for it all over Borders but couldn’t find it. And I’m still reading Kerensky-just haven’t had the time. THAT is a joy to read, let me tell you. It restores my faith in humanity…and reason. Tell me, Rand must have been the most UNREASONABLE human being on the planet. “We can’t trust reason, we can’t trust our minds, don’t think, don’t think, don’t think!”
Alas, Guinn, if only I had known, I could have warned you, could have screamed “Flee! Flee, while you can!”
I am a recovered Objectivist. I read every damned word, and when I say “damned”, I mean it! I look now at Newt Gingrich, and say, there but for the grace of God go I.
Reading your progress reports, I am relieved to see that you still retain your good sense and humor. I was not so lucky, only a strenuous course of sex, drugs, and rock n roll could salvage me. Luckily, it was 1968.
Ayn Rand is Carlos Castaneda for Republicans.
Yet, she still rises at night, lurking in the shadows of the Student Union, seeking fresh, vibrant young minds to feed upon… Where is Van Helsing when we need him?
On a happier note, I cheerfully endorse Ursula LeGuinn, and The Dispossessed. I have worked in collectives, and she has it dead on! Still, The Left Hand of Darkness is her masterpiece.
As for Atlas Shrugged, I weep to think a tree was sacrificed for the paper it is printed upon.
