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Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math

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resonanteye
04/07/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
I have read atlas shrugged twice. The first time I read it through and it was torturous, the way a Tarantino movie is- I just hate it when the creator of a work of fiction makes me sit and listen to them talk to themselves.

The second time I skipped every single piece of dialogue. If it had quotes around it and was longer than two sentences, I didn't read it.

I fully enjoyed the book the second time around. The same way I loved Deathproof and Dusk til Dawn when I used the fast forward button every time someone started talking.
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resonanteye
04/07/09

@resonanteye: I also find myself fantasizing about a general strike- in which everyone who is not a handsome genius billionaire, goes on strike.

Brains are worthless without hands or tools.
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Cam/ron
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
Check out Yevgeny Zamyatin's novel, "We." It delivers a far more intelligent and poetic defense of individualism than anything Rand wrote, plus "Anthem" ripped off many ideas from the story. Zamyatin was also truly oppressed by the Soviet government at an age when Rand was just hanging out in Hollywood.
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Sputnik_Sweetheart
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
I really wish that all these people who are threatening to "go Galt" will realize that they are not that special. Yes, I'm sure they have some talent, but guess what? A lot other people are as well, but never had the same resources, or the luck, or were never in the right time in the right place. And I hate that they keep saying that they deserve their success because they work hard. Well, you know what? I work hard, too. If I had not decided to go into a creative (read not well paid) field, I probably could have been a great Wall Street CEO and run the economy into the ground, too.

Seriously, go Galt already. We'll manage to survive without you.
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braak: You are, as usual, completely correct.
04/06/09

@Sputnik_Sweetheart: Hah. I read a blog post from a guy talking about, "I am John Galt, I am taking a stand," etc etc. Halfway through, he said something like, "Maybe I can't stop the motor of the world, but I can stand up for what I believe in."

And I thought to myself: Idiot. You've missed the point. In the world of Atlas Shrugged, if you can't stop the motor of the world, then you don't fucking matter. Who are you? You're just some guy with a website? You're a software engineer? You work in sales? Guess what--the world doesn't give a shit about you. Go off to your island somewhere, shoot yourself into space, no one cares; shrugging only matters if you're Atlas.
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misspell
04/06/09

@braak: Very well stated. I hate that the news stations (and I use that term loosely) have picked this term up. I am sure that the vast majority of them and their viewers haven't read anything by Ayn Rand, but besides that, it's just going to be one of these irritating ubiquitous terms that won't go away, like "staycation". I can't stand it.
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misspell
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
Once I actually sent off one of those irritating postcards that comes in the middle of Atlas Shrugged, to learn more about objectivism, and they sent me all this information about this objectivist conference, where you could take classes about the fundamentals of capitalism, but also other things, like ballet appreciation. There was a choice to be assigned a room with another budding objectivist, too, which sounded like a serious nightmare - I'd end up with someone like Robbie from Dirty Dancing.
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misspell
04/06/09

@misspell: I should mention that I did this in a purely ironic way.
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pear.shaped.Sara
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
I read it for the first time this year and it was just so OBVIOUS. Every single "moral" person also happened to be beautiful. Quelle suprise! All the "liberals" were chubby whiners who had bad sex. It was so repetitive that by the time I got to John Galt's epic speech I knew every damn thing he was going to say. Color me unimpressed.
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whynotshesaid
04/06/09

@pear.shaped.Sara is gunning for a star: For serious. The book could have been edited down to a single paragraph and it would have made its point just as well.
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BicSharpie
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
Does anyone else find it odd that a group of people who believe in individualism above all else, get upset when a member of that group offers up a bit of a different viewpoint?
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braak: You are, as usual, completely correct.
04/06/09

@BicSharpie: You know, I feel like I should think that's weird...but for some reason I'm just...not surprised.
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battleaxonista...is a humorless bitch
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
Oh for the fuck of shit. Objectivism, like any other -ism, is best taken in small, rational portions. Unfortunately Egotistical Dipshits take on the cloak of Objectivism to rationalize their douchebaggery as 'no one can understand my brilliance.' Some of her points are absolutely true, what would humanity do without the great thinkers who currently get paid less than the CEOs who just bankrupted our country? We'd be fucked, that's what. The moral of Rand books should be appreciate intelligent people because that's what keeps this country going. Not going all John Galt because humanity hasn't built you a gold statue and given you a pony.
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Hamsterpants
04/06/09

@battleaxonista: Heh. That last sentence sums up his character perfectly for me.
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tomatoheart
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
I have read both Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged around 5-10 time each. I do this to remind myself what switched me from being a sad girl living in a fundamentalist christian home to being someone who felt educated and like there was something else in the world aside from god. I discovered rand around age 14 and that just shifted a lot of things for me.

That being said, I can't stand objectivists or any of her rabid followers and I'm not down with her philosophy either.

But the movie "The Passion of Ayn Rand" features a VERY sexy Eric Stolz...and i'm a lover of red heads.
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special_boots
04/06/09

@tomatoheart: MY DAD RENTED THAT MOVIE FOR US TO WATCH. WHEN I WAS THIRTEEN. OH GOD.
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misspell
04/06/09

@tomatoheart: That movie was insane. You could practically see her pupils twirling around in her eyes like those swirly lollipops.
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whynotshesaid
04/06/09

@tomatoheart: The book served the same purpose for me, except replace fundamentalist Christian with Mormon. The emphasis on logic-based thinking as opposed to faith-based and magical thinking really appealed to me.

I've since moved way beyond it, though.
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elitza owns the last Enzo shirt
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
I think I'm the only commenter here that--even though I disagree with the economic policy in it--really enjoyed Atlas Shrugged. For that matter, The Fountainhead is one of my favorite books.

*ducks*
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Uncommon Whore
04/06/09

@elitza bleeds Cubbie blue: You and me, babe. Not that I agree with everything in it, God no. Also, I flipped past Galt's 30 page speech at the end of Atlas Shrugged. But I really enjoyed reading both of them.

Sooooooo... were you always picked last for softball too?
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West63
04/06/09

@elitza bleeds Cubbie blue: No, I enjoyed it too. Not everything in it is accurate or fair, but I found it a compelling read. Although it's controversial, it does stir something within us all, and isn't that the point of reading?
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elitza owns the last Enzo shirt
04/06/09

@West63: Well, that's what I was led to believe. So.

@Uncommon Whore: Me too. I've read the book easily 15 times and never have gotten through the whole speech.
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special_boots
04/06/09

@elitza bleeds Cubbie blue: I enjoyed it. But I also enjoyed Twilight.
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misspell
04/06/09

@elitza bleeds Cubbie blue: I liked them both a lot too, but not necessarily because of the philosophy. They're just really well-crafted novels.
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Yokai Monsters Spook Warfare
04/06/09

@elitza bleeds Cubbie blue: It is one of my favorite books as well. I also enjoyed reading the Da Vinci Code, but I don't think that Jesus and Mary Mag. gave birth to some sort of holy royal line.

There are few who agree with me, but with the exception of the Galt monologue (I've never made it through either) its a well written book.
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femputer
04/06/09

@elitza bleeds Cubbie blue: @Uncommon Whore: youuuu are not alooooone. I am heaaarrr with youuuuu (ok - those are the only lines I remember from that creepy MJ song - but point taken?)
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femputer
04/06/09

@Uncommon Whore: oh, and I was cut from the team. At age 9. We didn't even compete with other schools.
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resonanteye
04/07/09

@Yokai Monsters Spook Warfare:

I think they did- but that's because I read the Valis trilogy. PK Dick beats Tom Hanks any day.
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NerD: Blattella
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
The problem with people who read Ayn Rand is that they never assume that they wouldn't be one of the left behind. Everyone who reads it assumes they would be one of the chosen.

Ugh, urge to kill rising. This book brings out the Irish in me, and not in a good way.
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special_boots
04/06/09

@NerD!!!: Geez, that's the problem with people who read Ayn Rand?

...if only.
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lilbobbytables
04/06/09

@NerD!!!: I agree. That, and most people who are reallyreallyreally into Rand are not so much interested in debate or discussion as beating me about the head and neck with the book. Which hurts a lot, actually.
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NerD: Blattella
04/06/09

@special_boots: I don't want to spend the rest of the afternoon making charts and graphs.
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special_boots
04/06/09

@NerD!!!: Hahahahaha. That's very fair.
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willwriteforfood
04/06/09

@lilbobbytables' brain has apparently been consumed by zombi...: Yeah, it's pretty hefty. I imagine most people who swear by the book just like it because it codifies a view they already hold that the world is pointless, most people are useless and they are too superior to have to live among the plebes.
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Cam/ron
04/06/09

@NerD!!!: "This book brings out the Irish in me, and not in a good way."

Ha, Rand always had a thing for dashing Irish lads.
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vamusical
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
It's cute that they're rallying around a fictional work as a basis for their policy beliefs. I'm going to run for office on a Chronicles of Narnia platform, talking lions for everyone!
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Miss Smith Drank Your Vodka
04/06/09

@vamusical: Can we bring Falkor from Neverending Story too?

Winning ticket for sure!
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linnyt is a walking cliché
04/06/09

@vamusical: i don't understand the big fuss over a couple works of fiction. some people take imaginary stories too seriously.
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special_boots
04/06/09

@vamusical: IT HAPPENED IN A BOOK! IT MUST BE TRUE!

Anyone for some Quidditch?
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linnyt is a walking cliché
04/06/09

@linnyt is a walking cliché: that sounds humourless. i was talking about the fountainhead and atlas shrugged. they are just books.
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Gretchen is a new kitten mom!
04/06/09

@vamusical: I was planning on taking the Dune approach myself.
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Penny_Esq
04/06/09

@vamusical: I'm pretty sure that WAS Bush's platform, what with the whole Aslan=God thing.
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Eleanor Ramilly
04/06/09

@Gretchen (hates insurance adjusters and will get new timpan...: Best not, you do know their policy on blind people, don't you?
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vamusical
04/06/09

@Miss Smith Drank Your Vodka: Vamusical/Falcor 2012!!!1!
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willwriteforfood
04/06/09

@vamusical: I would like to hang out at Hogwarts then, thanks.
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RisaPlata
04/06/09

@vamusical: I hear there's a guy who figured out where all people came from and what made us so miserable, and he wrote some books. And now there's a church where you can go and learn all about it, and all it costs is all your money! And if you speak ill of them, they poison your pets.

I'm sure it's all exactly what L Rob Hubbard had in mind.
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cwisto moweina has got yer goat
04/06/09

@vamusical: It's been done. It's called the Bible.
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vamusical
04/06/09

@cwisto moweina has got yer goat: See, I personally don't consider it to be fictional and it STILL shouldn't be used as a basis for policy. Which makes the more universally agreed upon fiction seem doubly silly as a rallying cry.
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portia_sue
04/07/09

@cwisto moweina has got yer goat: Friended for that. awesome.
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special_boots
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
"They were also excited about the increased popularity of Atlas Shrugged, which depicts an economic collapse brought on by socialist regulations."

Actually, it's brought on by a bunch of selfish dbags.

On both sides.

Ugh.
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fulanita
04/06/09

@special_boots: Plot summary: Play by my rules or I will take my toys and go home. That way no one has fun, but it will still be your fault.
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special_boots
04/06/09

@fulanita: I just laughed out loud.
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jgh
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
Atlas Shrugged = The White Privilege Bible
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samethingwedoeverynightpinky
04/06/09

@jgh: You are my new best friend. i have been trying for years to come up with succinct explanation for everything that is wrong with that book.
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I_can_still_pitch
04/06/09

@jgh: Bingo!
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Samanthrax
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
If Ayn Rand taught us anything, it's that if we use our imagination, anything is possible.
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special_boots
04/06/09

@Samanthrax: So. True.

And also, women say "no" but they mean "yes."
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mepo - Robert Cornhole invented it
04/06/09

@Samanthrax: Santa?
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dasNeonlicht
04/06/09

In reply to Objectivists Talk Economics, Fail Basic Math
Reading this makes me want to play BioShock.
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lilbobbytables
04/06/09

@dasNeonlicht: I agree. But then, pretty much everything makes me want to play that game.
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happysquid
04/06/09

@dasNeonlicht: I thought you said BioDome for a second and I was like, "Pauly Shore? What?"
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pear.shaped.Sara
04/06/09

@dasNeonlicht: I blew up Megaton
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angelina jolie-laide is a gaudy tulip
04/06/09

@pear.shaped.Sara is gunning for a star: That's Fall Out 3, silly!
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