Atlas Shrugged (and so did I when I tried to read it. ha.)
Talk about a blast from the past! (Haven't confronted Ayn much since high school; never saw/heard her till your clips here, tough ol' bird indeed). But relevant to the blasted present, even though she'd probably spit on right-wingers trying to validate greed or war by evoking her spirit, (well, non-spirit, since she didn't believe in that "hokum").
I used to go for a bit of what Ms. Rand said, (after all, she said a LOT). But then, that wouldn't be INDEPENDENT thinking, would it?
Sorry, as with her interminable books, I couldn't make it through all the videos here. (Preferred George Carlin instead, thanks.)
A would-be altruistic, metaphysical-minded pacifist such as myself is not big on espousing arrogant egoism or selfishness.
(I also do not see "man" as a "heroic being" but more like a pre-programmed ant who follows the horde with his individual burden and brethren -- often needing help with both.) To me, she's overrated as a philosopher about as much as Robert Zimmerman's a folk hero ... but then, perhaps big-headed protest is just part of their upheavaled Russkie roots here in the Land of Free Rants, (for some, Free Rents).
Still, good to be reminded and forced to think (a bit), if only to argue with oneself ...
I believe one of her best, unarguable points is that
we should all aim at individual discipline and COMPETENCE, (but in my nasty socialistic view, in order to help the GROUP if necessary, not merely oneself. No man an island and all that, especially when plenty men can't even stay afloat.)
Laissez-faire capitalism? Hardly "the only moral social system" (as she naively maintains; I see no "morality" in absolute selfishness). "Let it be" maybe ... but not to the point where Wal-Mart and Wall St are the only "company stores" in town. Capitalistic greed and the individual pursuit of "happiness" for the over-monied, privileged few must not be allowed to create wholesale misery for the many. ("What profiteth a man if he gains the world and loses himself?" Ok, so call me Michael Moore.)
Rational egoism? Contradiction in terms, as one's SELF will never be rational. People are just not that noble or perfectable.
But she also emphasized productive work, love and art, as well as rationality, so in part, she's ok in my book (much shorter than hers!).
Some of her quotes:
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." Right on.
"Man has the power to act as his own destroyer—and that is the way he has acted through most of his history." Yep.
"Man's mind will not function at the point of a gun." Another big yep.
"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."Just ask those folks caught in the Jericho, Ark. speedtraps.
Finally,
"The truth is not for all men, but only for those who seek it." ... assuming anyone still seeks truth (
do WE?)
Well, truth is: Truth is often stranger than fiction. So her fiction shouldn't be an outline for any social order,
neither should unbridled capitalism be allowed to stomp standards for human decency and survival. For a "non-contradictive Aristotlean" she sure can be politically "spinned." But any rabid "wing-nut" (from either wing, as both can lean on this bird's backbone) who uses her "philosophy" as justification for greed, manipulation and control should be shrugged off as well.
So easy to misread and misuse any words of wisdom... or folly.
Oy, getting way too deep in here again (another shovel-ready project?
) Where are my Beatle boots? Hey ... Here Comes the Sun, doo doo doo doo doo ...
(And these boots were made fer walkin ... so ... I'm outta here.... sweetcorn awaits. Skip politics. I'm a firm believer in sweetcorn!)