Atlas Shrugged

TheEkim · #1 06-11-2007, 04:56 PM

Ive been perusing a number of the AC threads in this forum and Im curious how many of you are familiar with Ayn Rands' Atlas Shrugged, same question for avowed statists in those threads as well.

While not a libertarian or anarchist i found this book to be one of the more eloquent arguments for these causes. It outlines the moral philosophy of voluntarism and selfishness rather smartly also.

What do you think? Does it get it right?

Do you ever recommend this book as a way to "advance the cause"?

Also do you accept the distopian projections in the book regarding the inevitable expansion of government?

clowntable · #2 06-11-2007, 05:12 PM

I read it. Not for the philosophy or economics put foreward but purely for entertainment. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone as the first text on ACism but I would recommend it as a funny description of statism and the capitalist as a hero.
Also, the sex scenes are pretty good for the time [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

AlexM · #3 06-11-2007, 05:16 PM

I think Ayn Rand has a very distorted view of socialists. While I agree that certainly some people (especially those who actually have the power) are exactly the types of horrible people Rand describes, I think most socialist types merely have a complete disrespect and intollerance for people with differing beliefs from themselves. Obviously, this isn't good, but it's nothing near the twisted, evil people Rand describes, and it doesn't really make them any different from everyone else.

TheEkim · #4 06-11-2007, 05:26 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I read it. Not for the philosophy or economics put foreward but purely for entertainment. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone as the first text on ACism but I would recommend it as a funny description of statism and the capitalist as a hero.
Also, the sex scenes are pretty good for the time [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah didnt mean to imply that i thought it was necessarily a manifesto for AC. More that it does a good job of painting raw unabated capitalism as heroic and noble. Also spends a good bit of time talking about how welfare is evil and taxes retard the advance of society.

I found it a very entertaining read myself. Lol on the good sex... definetly hot... by 1950's standards....

I initially read it simply because a friend had suggested it as a good book, read it and really liked it.

Nielsio · #5 06-11-2007, 05:59 PM

From what I know, libertarians generally love the book. This is not to say that it has no faults (you're still a statist [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ), but like you said: it is an overall positive force.

I haven't read it though. Not sure if I will. Minarchists tend to put me off.

mbillie1 · #6 06-11-2007, 07:41 PM

What is "ACism" ?

pokerbobo · #7 06-11-2007, 07:44 PM

[ QUOTE ]
What is "ACism" ?

[/ QUOTE ]

anarcocapitalismism

pokerbobo · #8 06-11-2007, 08:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
From what I know, libertarians generally love the book. This is not to say that it has no faults (you're still a statist [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ), but like you said: it is an overall positive force.

I haven't read it though. Not sure if I will. Minarchists tend to put me off.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would recommend it to you. The book gets a bit redundent here and there, but the story is good.... I personally love Rand's books, and consider her one of the smartest females ever to walk the earth.

She was a strong outspoken woman, yet never championed by the women's movement. Why is that?...my guess..She didn't hate men, she loved rationality, and beleived in earning things on merit, not demanding them based on want. Those things dont fit in too well with the feminists.

Supposedly Angelina Jolie will be playing Dagny Taggart in the movie....but with the length of the novel Hollywood will either have to butcher it or release it as a trilogy or something of that nature.

I would really be astounded if they can find enuff actors who can grasp the philosphy of the novel... I bet most hollywood elite would consider John Galt the Villain instead of the Hero.

TheEkim · #9 06-11-2007, 10:55 PM

They are making this book into a movie? I have no idea how they will even try to pull this off. An epic novel, but its going to be a terrible movie.

I echo your sentiments about her being brilliant. This is one of the only works of fiction written by a female author that i have ever enjoyed. (though I suppose I may have read one written under a pseudonym and simply not known i was enjoying the work of a female author)

TomCollins · #10 06-11-2007, 11:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
They are making this book into a movie? I have no idea how they will even try to pull this off. An epic novel, but its going to be a terrible movie.

I echo your sentiments about her being brilliant. This is one of the only works of fiction written by a female author that i have ever enjoyed. (though I suppose I may have read one written under a pseudonym and simply not known i was enjoying the work of a female author)

[/ QUOTE ]

I've heard rumors of a trilogy. That could work.