CNN: 'Atlas Shrugged' author (Ayn Rand) sees resurgence

[Poll_Blind]

Read the whole article at CNN:

In the midst of the credit crisis and the federal government's massive bailout plan, the works of Rand, a proponent of a libertarian, free-market philosophy she called Objectivism, are getting new attention

--snip--

Her philosophy of selfishness and her love of pure capitalism (she used to wear a dollar-sign brooch) has earned her many followers, particularly on the right. Rush Limbaugh is a fan; former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was a Rand acolyte in his younger days and a member of her New York salon.

But Rand critics are equally fervent, questioning her belief in pure free markets.

"What I find so remarkable about it is if capitalism can work on its own without any government regulation, then we wouldn't be here," said economist Heather Boushey of the left-leaning Center for American Progress.

  So why would I bother posting this? Because I've actually seen this ideology being adopted and espoused on forums which have nothing to do with politics. That's what caught my eye because general forums are mostly a-political, at least insofar as people don't usually go out of their way to discuss politics instead of whatever the topic is.

  I didn't know much about Rand, except that she was a conservative icon of sorts but after watching various interviews with her (check out her numerous interviews available on YouTube or her Wiki entry) I understand how her philosophy could be appealing to individuals who were (essentially) looking for some sort of grand excuse for their selfishness.

  Most of the people I ran into had adopted the "Objectivism-Lite" style, which is basically "It's OK to be out for me- I owe nothing to anyone, the advancement of humankind on the whole and altruism is a sign of weakness." Of course, from what I've read "Objectivism" cannot be so easily summed up, however, that is the gist of it.

  If anyone else has suddenly started noticing otherwise hardcore conservative/neo-conservatives latching onto this shit like it is some profound thing, chime in.

  The one thing which seems to be lacking for this to sweep over Neo-Conservatives is the fact that there is an atheistic element to it, but I expect some dirt bag is hard at work to rectify that.

  Normally when I see a CNN story like this I just think it's bullshit, completely fabricated. And maybe it is and maybe my experiences are just coincidence. But it seems grossly more prevalent since something like the middle of last year.

  Anyone noticing this in the wider culture? In bar conversations, around town, etc?

PB

[LeftishBrit]

1. Rand isn't well-known in the UK, so I first heard of her on DU

Her views sound really horrifying. Like Maggie Thatcher ("There is no such thing as society") to the n'th power.

[Arugula Latte]

2. Anyone who doesn't like taxes, regulations and government can move to Somali.

It's a libertarian paradise without society. Ol' Peg would have liked it there.

[FarCenter]

4. Alan Greenspan was one of her disciples

Part of her circle in New York.

Her philosophy has had a great and pernicious influence on the last 30 years.

[NashVegas]

3. Interesting, Isn't It?

I actually recommend people read Atlas Shrugged, at least the first 85% of it. It's not a bad story and there are some important ideas for artists in there. Everyone else? How can you argue against its faithful if you don't know what's in it?

Well, let's look at Limbaugh, shall we? His program is carried, for free, on small radio stations in rural areas. If he demanded each station cough up what they would have to pay an actual employee, they'd tell him to take a freaking hike.

That's right: Rush is a socialist. Rush Limbaugh's labor is out there enriching radio station owners who are paying him a big, fat, ZERO. He is propping up their business. For free!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-mann/limbaughs-dirty-little-se_b_185965.html

[nxylas]

Hmmm, I know what his response to that would be

"It's only socialism if the government does it". A better example would be the fact that he's force-fed to the troops on Armed Forces Radio on the taxpayer's dime. Though wingnuts don't count military spending as government spending, for reasons that make sense only to them.

[SteelPenguin]

5. Ayn Rand was batshit crazy

Objectivism is the most dangerous philosophy in existence outside fundamentalist religion. it's not the philosophy of the rugged individualist free market capitalist. It's the philosophy of the greedy selfish asshole who would sell his mother up the river if it would buy him another twinkee.

[Birthmark]

6. Well, at least she did one thing for the right...

She gave them a reason to get rid of the "enlightened" in enlightened self-interest.

Enlightenment is hard!

[Voltaire]

7. Objectivism = Pure Pernicious Bullshit

Read it, Live it, KNOW it!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. It's actually the perfect philosophy for selfish teenager/college students.

A book (Atlas Shrugged) telling you that if you withdraw from the world, it will collapse because it can't function without your unique gifts?

C'mon, what could be better for a narcissistic young adult or teen trying to validate their worldview?

[ProfessorGAC]

9. I Thought That When Was I Was Selfish College Student

Not the part about the world falling apart without me, but the part about Rand basically sending that message. I thought it was a stupid message then, and i think it's a stupid message now.

Good post and thanks for reminding of that.
GAC

[Poll_Blind]

10. Interesting point because most of the people that I met who were affected by...

...it were college age. Though they were in their mid-20's to early 30's...some of them going for their PHD. Amazing how skilled someone might be in one area and how utterly broken in another.

PB

[KittyWampus]

11. Rand's philosophy rationalizes sociopathic behavior. It elevates the Reptilian part of human nature

and makes the Higher Brain functions and behaviors subservient.

[Poll_Blind]

12. I watched an interview between her and Phil Donahue on YouTube and...

...she continually, again and again, struck me like that. "Rationalizing sociopathic behavior" is actually a apt and succinct way to put it. As I watched the interview (and how awesome is it to have Donahue do it?!!) she revealed herself to be more and more pathetic- intelligent in an intellectual sense but absolutely grasping when it came to any kind of empathy or emotional abilities, always rationalizing.

I think she really lost the audience (if they weren't lost before) when she hit her views on marriage. Applying her ideas to marriage, well her system breaks down because marriage represents the "other self". But she just kept on trucking, applying the same philosophy. Donahue asked her something like "So what if your husband is sick and he's out of work...do you pay for his doctor bills?" Her rambling answer was eventually "Yes" but only because the other person (the spouse) gave you enjoyment.

I really got a vibe that a lot of her stark, hostile views on relationships and altruism were because she'd been cheated on and hurt horribly by it. A lot, it would seem. I dunno, she just came across as a kid who'd been hurt trying to reach out to the rest of humanity and just decided they weren't going to try again. If I heard a man going off on the same line about women it would take a few minutes of listening but I'd classify them as misogynistic.

Oh god, heh heh, here's a funny thought: Objectivist Singles Bar!

PB

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

13. One of the funniest movies ever made is "The Fountainhead" with Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal

It is falling out of your seat, tears running down your face funny.

[Skidmore]

15. This movie was shown on either TBS or AMC over the weekend.

Noticed it while channel surfing.

[blindpig]

16. Actually, she did the cheating, taking what she wanted.

Consistency might be the bugbear of the small mind but there it is.

[NorthernSpy]

18. LOL

Great picture!


:rofl:

[underpants]

14. What, is the book getting free publicity disguised as a news story or something?

:eyes:

[dem629]

20. Fox News and talk radio (Beck mostly)

[dem629]

17. Yep. It's happening with at least one family member.

[lies and propaganda]

19. "libertarians are republicans who smoke weed"

always my fave def for a Libertarian and I read it here ages ago.

Petualnt, whiny, self entitled little shits.. I got mine, screw you..

[dem629]

21. By the way, the new Rand fans who are conservatives probably won't like this

Here she is on religion....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTmac2fs5HQ

[Gman2]

22. I have been going at randians hammer and tong for years.

I was a libertarian till Reagan showed me the light. The meme so called out, is the evil that led us to our present state of the world. And they will accept NONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE of any blame. They say, as they always can, that we NEVER fulllllllllllllllllllllly adopted their religion. They can do their evil philosphical tirades, free from historic judgement A bromide, like Reagans shining city on a hill. What the FUCK does that mean? The real problem with all the randians is, that they inflict the language with a constant spin. It is, they never INITIATE violence. But they label the most benign gov action or call ofr sacrifice as gov violence. They make history start at wherever they please, always then reacting, and NEVER INITIATING violence, even though they are rapacious hawks. I have gotten very skilled at debating them, and have followed a few talented ones home, and stone raped their God. I just got lucky when I couldnt sleep. and caught the Gary Cooper The Fountainhead, were most of the lingo entered the common lexicon. Almost Nazi, in its propaganda mouthfeel. Worth renting or seeing, for sanity apologetics.

[Gman2]

23. I have been going at Libertarians hammer and tong for years

[TheMightyFavog]

24. This sums Rand up nicley...