Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

First off I consider judging "Atlas Shrugged" (or "The Fountainhead", "Anthem", any other Ayn Rand work of fiction) as something which has to occur on two levels

The first is on its merits as a piece of fiction-and the judgement is that they suck. What can I say, cartoonishly robotic mouthpieces of objectivism for protagonists and horrible plots aren't really my thing.

In terms of the philosophy presented in the book (the straight presentation of which would make for a better book, IMHO) I certainly consider myself a fan of rational self-interest but the objectivism philosophy-at least as presented in Ayn Rand's writings-simply takes a to a level I am no comfortable basing my life on.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

It's a book, novel, literature if you will. ie; subjective. Get over yourself.

-SmileyEH

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

[ QUOTE ]
It's a book, novel, literature if you will. ie; subjective. Get over yourself.

-SmileyEH

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you ever discussed your opinions with a committed objectivist?

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

See, I think that was IronDragon's point. Its a breathless, pedantic screed. Its literally straight propaganda. Which would make it a) not a "book" in anything other than physical fact, b) not a novel (a very specific form), and c) only "literature" in the sense that every printed material could be so deemed.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

All I know is that I enjoyed both books as novels, and I know several other people that did as well (including my highschool english teacher who has masters in english).

-SmileyEH

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

its one of the few books i have read...it was many many many years ago though. My mom was reading it...so i read it...and i liked it ALOT...u should read it

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

Is it your position, therefore, that all philosophy is propoganda?

Rand took her philosophy and presented it in novel form.
Whether or not you agree with the particular philosophy, I found the approach refreshing.

-SC

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

Buy it. Read it. Decide if you like it. Check your premises. Take what you can from it. I have.

I consider it one of the most important books I've ever read. I also don't agree 100% with Ayn Rand.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

read it...changed my life..I'd read it because it is a book that often changes people's life.

echo many of the previous thoughts

I consider myself an 'empathetic objectivist'

I like meritocracy and what it stands for, but understand the constraints that luck, upbringing, being in the right place at the right time, etc play in the world. Objectivists are just too hard core cruel at times. Using the right mix of Ayn Rand and the Dalai Lama has brought me personal happiness and balance.

I actually like "Zorba The Greek" as a better hero than Howard Roark.

FWIW, I often read the Fountainhead when waiting for a table at Hollywood Aurora.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

I strongly suggest the Cliffnote as a companion, it will get you there (philosophically) much faster.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
f the reason you are reading this is for cultural literacy

[/ QUOTE ]

This seems like a terrible reason to read a book.

[/ QUOTE ]
When I was younger I felt this way as well. As I have gotten more mature and more humble, I've come to undertand the value of having a shared culture and society.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
f the reason you are reading this is for cultural literacy

[/ QUOTE ]

This seems like a terrible reason to read a book.

[/ QUOTE ]
When I was younger I felt this way as well. As I have gotten more mature and more humble, I've come to undertand the value of having a shared culture and society.

[/ QUOTE ]

I watch MTV while working out just so I share the culture of the young freshmen ladies I bang.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

[ QUOTE ]
I strongly suggest the Cliffnote as a companion, it will get you there (philosophically) much faster.

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually pondered this when I saw it available online. Especially after I read that it was unedited and raw.

b

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

I read it and it changed my life. For some background into what the book covers follow this link:
capitalism.org

I have read many better pieces of literature in my life. Stuff that entertained me. Nothing has ever made me THINK more than this book has.

Oh, and it doesn't matter if you agree with the philosophy or not, knowing that it is out there and is an alternative to what is offered by religion/tradition is enough for me to recommend it to all.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

[ QUOTE ]
I read it and it changed my life. For some background into what the book covers follow this link:
capitalism.org

I have read many better pieces of literature in my life. Stuff that entertained me. Nothing has ever made me THINK more than this book has.

Oh, and it doesn't matter if you agree with the philosophy or not, knowing that it is out there and is an alternative to what is offered by religion/tradition is enough for me to recommend it to all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ugh. I think people who believe that Objectivism is deep philosophy are generally very annoying people. They are also wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

i never read AS. but i loved The Fountainhead. definitely reccomend Fountainhead.

i thought Anthem sucked. but read Fountainhead

Re: Fountainhead a better read?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is a better read, but I think Atlas Shrugged is probably the better book.

[/ QUOTE ]

One is a better story, but the other doesn't suffer as much from lack of an editor?

b

[/ QUOTE ]


Atlas is a more complete presentation of her philosophy. Foutainhead was when rand was younger. I can see why some people say they prefer foutainhead. However, if you are going to read one, read Atlas. Reading both is better. Atlas can be clumsy in a literary sense, particularly the device of the galt speech people have mentioned which is a long and not very subtle way to state the philosophy. But I'm not that literary or literate or whatever like John Cole, so what do I know.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

I listened to the Odyssey on tape and it was excellent. No difficulties with the hard to pronounce words that slow down your enjoyment of the story. I highly recommend it.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

Ayn Rand is like Anne Rice.

If you read Interview With A Vampire or Atlas Shrugged when you're 15, it's the best book ever written and it can take you a long, long time to get past that view.

If you read them when you're a slightly more, uh, worldly you realise they're pretty superficial and not particularly original...

Still worth reading if only to enhance your ability to make fun of the goths/objectivists!

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

Well, I'm 26 and just read the book.

I have a BA in political science and philosophy.

I have a law degree.

I have been to over 60 countries.

I have taught high school in the inner city.

I think I'm pretty damn "worldly", and furthermore pretty damn smart.

I likey the book. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

[ QUOTE ]


1. The books are not about how the world works. We all realize this isn't how the world works. The books are about how the world should work.

2. Atlas shrugged is not about getting out of anybody's way and letting them run things. And a major point, if not the major point, is that these people should look out for their own self interest. Everyone should. This is not a problem that is ignored by the philosophy. It is the cornerstone of it.

I'm not arguing the validity of the philosophy, just your take on the books seemed a little off. Maybe it was just the way you communicated it, or maybe I misunderstood what you were saying.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I realize that Ayn Rand was espousing her view of how the world ought to be. I didn't communicate it that well, and I wrote the wrong title in there somewhere. Anyway, I just felt that the whole philosophy was terribly elitist and somewhat juvenile. The Fountainhead seemed much more tolerable to me because it seemed to describe what she thought people should aspire to. That's fine. Atlas Shrugged just seemed far too absolute to me and I really didn't think her views worked in a larger, cultural/social sense. They seemed better applied on a smaller, more personal level.

To me, it was the same problem that communism had - sure it would be nice if everyone worked for the state and the whole of society functioned together. Obviously, not going to happen. It would be nice also if people all apsired to be great in the way Howard Roark is so that everyone's self-interest summed up to benefit the collective group - also, not going to happen.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

I enjoyed it. Well, until she found the "colony" (Don't want to reveal too much). THen it got boring and i quit it.

Re: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
 

[ QUOTE ]
I listened to the Odyssey on tape and it was excellent. No difficulties with the hard to pronounce words that slow down your enjoyment of the story. I highly recommend it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I read the Odyssey in high school and remembered liking it. Which is why I got it with the Iliad as a set. It's not hard to follow but imo, the Iliad sucked. I found the story behind it and the history of translations more interesting than the story itself.

b