Atlas Shrugged- The greatest book in the world!

[Jack Lance]

Two weeks ago I went to the bookshop downtown on a business motivation course and I saw a copy of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged". I remembered having seen the title before, just a few months ago on the don juan discussion forum. Some genius had posted up a thread with a list of recommended books that all don juans should read.

I bought the book, although I wasn't too eager to start reading it cos it's like 800 pages long, and printed in font 8 new times roman. (My first thoughts were, when am i going to find the time to read this.)

But fortunately, last tuesday night, (the time between brushing your teeth and climbing into bed), I had a brief chance to lightly browse through the first chapter of the book. Before I knew it, I was engrossed half-way into the third chapter and I had to mentally force myself to give up the novel and go to bed.

Ever since that night, I've been enthusiatically plowing my way, chapter by chapter through the book every night before bed.

I must tell you that it's the most profoundly meaningful & powerful book I have EVER read in my life! I've discovered so many jewels of truth in the novel that it's opening my eyes to a whole new world.

And I'm only 3/4 of the way through!

Anyway, wanted to say that if you haven't read the book and if you are serious about becoming a true don juan, then you shouldn't hesitate to get started on reading it.

And thank you to whoever posted up the thread.

Let me earn my place beside the heroes of Atlantis!

 

[Cesare Cardinali]

Dude,
You should also check out The Fountainhead once you finish Atlas Shrugged. The Fountainhead came out first and it really engaged me and profoundly impacted my thinking.

 

[DJinArizona]

I've been told time and time again to read both but have put it off because of how huge Atlas Shrugged is. I hear that it's life changing... one of my friends even named his company after Jon Galt.

 

[Lt dan]

whats the book about.

 

[Dill]

Both of these books are amazing. I highly reccomend them both.

 

[TheCloser]

I saw a study that said, next to the Bible, Atlas shrugged is the most important book that the top 500 CEO's in America reccommend.

 

[CyranoDeBergerac]

I recommend Atlas Shrugged over the Fountainhead though they are both two very compelling novels in their own rights. Atlas Shrugged is the one I read first, so I probably prefer it for sentimental reasons, but I think Atlas Shrugged was a greater novel, showing a greater maturity in theme and character than The Fountainhead. That's just me though. Pleasant reading....

Other Books by Ayn Rand worth looking into are

The Virtue of Selfishness

We the Living

and (the?) Introduction to the Objectivist Epistemology

She wrote quite a few books, but those are the only ones I can remember off the top of my head.

-CyranoDeBergerac

 

[JohnGalt]

I would recommend the book as well, but don't get to caught up in Rand; there are people that follow her as if she were a prophet or something.

 

[Cesare Cardinali]

JohnGalt wrote:

....don't get to caught up in Rand; there are people that follow her as if she were a prophet or something.

hahahah...there are people who even name themselves after her characters.

 

[chicago#one]

rand is full of shyt

She was the head of a cult that later evolved into a school of thought called "objectivism". Since there is no such thing as being "objective" her ideology is inherently flawed. Her politics, being based on an almost obsessive hatred of Marx and an implicit worship of Hobbes is very one dimensional.

 

[pilot0001]

I'm only one chapter into the book and I'm already hooked.
Oh, its 1168 pages btw. But think of how many pages you've read from the DJ discussion forum. Some of you have posted more then that.

 

[Jack Lance]

chicago#one....the reason that you hate rand's philosophy so much is probably because you are one of those unproductive looters that rand alludes to in her book.

and the fact that you say that nothing can be 'objective' show show irrational you are. heck, u probably think love is some magical and mystical force.

and i don't see what is wrong with depising marxist ideas. he was a dangerous person whose ideas gave evil tyrants the right to rule over millions of weak minded people and caused so much suffering and death.

give it up....communism and socialism can only lead to death & despair.

 

[Tryin to Grow a Chin]

Originally posted by Jack Lance


give it up....communism and socialism can only lead to death & despair.

Woot woot!

 

[SuSHI]

and i don't see what is wrong with depising marxist ideas. he was a dangerous person whose ideas gave evil tyrants the right to rule over millions of weak minded people and caused so much suffering and death.

Marxism was orignally intened for farmers only. It never got ugly unti poliitics got in the way. So I think your statement is very ignorant .

 

[Jack Lance]

oops, i meant marxist "was a person whose dangerous ideas gave evil tyrants the right to rule over millions of weak minded people and caused so much suffering and death."

and i'm sticking by it!

Marxism was orignally intened for farmers only. It never got ugly unti poliitics got in the way. So I think your statement is very ignorant .

That's not true....Marx's ideas were aimed primarily at factory workers, NOT farmers because he saw machinery as more efficient than human workers and hence ultimately replacing human production. he formulated this during his time with Frederick Engels, observing factories around europe, namely in england. but he was a pessimist and didn't anticipate the dynamic ability of humans to innovate, grow and better themselves.

Sure, Marx was a great economist, who had some very novel ideas but u can't dispute his ideas were dangerous.

and it's very naive of u sushi to say that it was because of politicians that who were responsible for using marx's ideas for such an evil end. if ur ideas are about doom & destruction, then that is exactly what you will get if people start believing them.

to live with the motto of: "from each according to their ability and to each according to their need" is just asking for trouble!
that's what people believe when you hear them say "oh, life is just so unfair....i can't get a girlfriend!" or "why won't anyone offer me a job!? i have a right to a job u know. it's all the government's fault" or "greedy & selfish rich people! they are responsible for me being poor"

if the world operated in their view of a "fair world", then i'd stop reading the don juan tips (decreasing my ability) and lock myself the attic until i became really desperate (therefore increasing my needs) and then expect some girl to just walk up to me and offer me sex.

damn marx, damn lenin and damn robin hood!

don't expect people to hand you what you want...go work for it!!!

 

[Ragnar]

Atlas Shrugged is the greates book ever written. In fact it is a philosophy by which to live your life.

I posted this about a month ago that it was the number one book all DJ's should read.

As for Marx, lenin et al.....The only political framework consistent with man's rights is Capitalism--Complete unrestricted Lassaiz Faire Capitalism.

If you haven't read it because it is too long then think about what things in life are the best and you will find those that you work towards.

Later my brothers in spirit.

 

[SuSHI]

and it's very naive of u sushi to say that it was because of politicians that who were responsible for using marx's ideas for such an evil end. if ur ideas are about doom & destruction, then that is exactly what you will get if people start believing them.

Ideas about DOOM & DESTRUCTION? WTF are you on?
The idea is great. If people weren't so corrupted, following his ideas could lead to a utopia. Obviously it will not happen, I was just saying that if people made it work, it could be the greatest thing ever. Therefore, the IDEA is not the problem. it was the people (politics) behind them. I still stand by my statement!

to live with the motto of: "from each according to their ability and to each according to their need" is just asking for trouble!

Lets say sir, that a guy were to have moved to america from a very poor country. Now that he is here, he has little to no money at all.
He also brings with him some children. No matter how smart or ambitious he is, there is no way he would be able to raise these kids and get an education and handle a job at the same time.
So, he will have to settle for work with no education (ie: assembly line jobs).
His children however will have a better future because they will get to go to school.
This is the example i am providing for a situation where you have all the skill and smarts but no oppertunity.
Now to go back to the quote, you're telling me that if you were to apply the quote to this situation, The person wouldn't have a better life than the one he has now?

if the world operated in their view of a "fair world", then i'd stop reading the don juan tips (decreasing my ability) and lock myself the attic until i became really desperate (therefore increasing my needs) and then expect some girl to just walk up to me and offer me sex.

If anything the DJ tips are what makes the world more "fair". The fact that any good DJ, no matter how he looks could get a 9-9.5 girl is the definition of fairness

 

[Labayu]

deja-vu: what's it about?

 

[SwitchmanSleeping]

Sushi, Marxism fails because it runs against human nature not because people are corrupt. You seem to think people should be utterly altruistic, but that ain't gonna happen and you shouldn't blame humanity for that, it's simply the way nature works.

 

[chicago#one]

you miss the point

The logic that if one thinks Rand is full of it, then that immediately makes them in favor of Marx is just absurd. How many of the people on this board have college degrees and think this irrationally?

I stated that Rand's obsession with Marx was a flaw. I made no remark on Marx. Who on earth thinks there is only two world views, pure egoism vs. socialism? Christ, what a box to be in.
That reminds me of Rush Limbaugh when one criticizes some right winger, you are automatically a Democrat or some commie. God forbid anyone have an independent politcal view that doesn't fit in some narrow parameter created by pundits like Rand.

People who worship Marx bug me. People who worship Rand bore me. Objectivism is tired, worn out, and a bit culty. Her politcal work is so poorly written, and is a great example of what Orwell criticized when it came to politcal writing.

Oh, and for you history buffs, Marx was primarily an economist, who stole most of his ideas from others. Marxism is an econimic theory. The flaws were played out by people like Lenin, Trotsky, Mao, Castro, etc. Blaming Marx for that is like blaming John Locke or Ben Franklin for everything that is wrong in the U.S.

Of course, if one needs a rationalization for being an azzhole to others, the Ayn Rand is the way to go. To dismiss a critic of her as a "looter" is an example of culty logic.