Tag Archives: Ayn Rand

Beggars In Spain

Posted on December 23, 2010 | Comments Off on Beggars In Spain

This first of a Nancy Kress sci-fi classic trilogy could as readily be titled Beggars In Dallas, even though it was only a metaphor in the first place. Some of the rest of the book, despite its focus on genetic enhancements, has a sort of outdated feel to it, as well. Well, it was written several decades ago.

But the philosophical argument the story and characters illustrate, between Ayn Rand individualism and the Russian immigrant author’s despised forced altruism is as fresh as the deficit-reducing Tea Party versus Obamacare.

In the end, Kress’s main protagonist decides a compromise between producers and beggars works best and that seems wise. It’s also rather obvious, but in the author’s deft hands, getting there is well worth the journey.

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Posted in Library, Obamalot, Scribbles, Space

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Ayn Rand and The World She Made

Posted on October 31, 2009 | Comments Off on Ayn Rand and The World She Made

I haven’t read this new biography of Rand yet, but the Amazon critics seem to think it’s worth while. I’ll wait until it’s in the library. Which is not very capitalistic of me, but I’m not pure about it like she was. Like most kids I rebelled against my parents’ politics, which was conservative. But I wavered.

Then, in college, I discovered Rand’s idea of Objectivism and went so far as to bet my Speech grade on an oration about it. The professor disliked her celebration of "reality" so much that he tried to undercut me at the top of the program he printed for our class speeches with a quote from Carl Jung: "People cannot stand too much reality."

Nowadays I agree with Jung. Which is probably why I read so much science fiction. I never read Atlas Shrugged, Rand’s most popular (and lately resurgent) novel. I remember some reviewer (just who I forget) paraphrased Shakespeare in calling it "As long as life and twice as tedious." I may never read it. But I still find her interesting and, of course, the idea that capitalism and the mighty corporations it sometimes creates can be heroic. I’ve been too much of a businessman myself over the years to find the type very threatening. Indeed, to demean the Willy Lomans of the world is to demean the very thing that keeps us free.

MORE: Via Instapundit, the movie made of her book We The Living is now on DVD.

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Posted in Blogosphere, Library

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Who was John Galt?

Posted on October 15, 2008 | Comments Off on Who was John Galt?

Barry is no longer hiding his classic Socialist plan to turn Robin Hood and tax the rich to "spread the wealth" around to benefit his favorite losers. Of course, whenever Dems say they will tax the rich, they usually wind up taxing the middle class, as well, like the plumber who elicited the remark from Barry in the first place–doing the job the Big Media would do if it wasn’t doing Barry propaganda full time. The truly rich have lots of alternatives to avoid extra taxation. The middle class, with fewer options, might just be ready for revolt.

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Posted in Library, Scribbles

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