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The Speech

Posted by $ KSilver3 9 years, 1 month ago to Philosophy
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Thought provoking question (hopefully)- Would John Galt's speech have any impact if given in modern times? I am doing my yearly reading of AS, and that question kept percolating in my mind. Not whether it is right of wrong, good or evil, but would it have any impact? I'm questioning this from two different angles. First, in today's partisan team sport of politics and economics, would he simply be labeled as a member of one team, and ignored by the others? Second, and sadder, would the vast majority of humans today have the attention span to listen to it in its entirety? In our modern 30 second sound bite world, would anyone actually stay tuned in long enough to gain from it, or simply tune out and wait for someone to interpret it for them? Of course, even in the book, most listeners missed the point, and simply wanted to abdicate their decision making to Galt instead of their current leaders, but it did have an impact. I am pessimistic that it would have any impact today. Thoughts?

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  • Posted by DavidKelley 9 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Thanks! Were you sitting down? Were you confident the chair existed and would not rise up ten feet in the air..:)?
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years ago in reply to this comment.
    If i get the repairs done. Unlike the other posts this life is not all a bed of roses but boat repair when compared to housing costs is certainly more affordable.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years ago in reply to this comment.
    On a boat. It varies. Mostly south of the border. Breaks in participating usually mean weather or distance precludes finding a wifi hot spot. I'm in the US about two days a year for one day each time.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years ago in reply to this comment.
    All of Latin America is interesting. Big differences between Cono Sur, Andina Brazil, Centro , Caribe, and Mexico. South to North. Common background is Spanish/Portuguese and Iberian Peninsula. Catholic Church and a breakaway from European Rule. Cinco De Mayo celebrates the first Mexican victory against the French when they owned that country. Not a major holiday in Mexico. Formerly lots of corruption and of course the differences in culture, economy, and the ever popular mordida or bribe taking to replace decent salaries. As for corruption they have a long way to go to catch up with Washington DC. Nickname is Distant Neighbor which has more meaning than being the other United States of....Many of the top candidates now are women which puts them ahead of the US but they have a ways to go installing some of the social support systems we take for granted. Child Support for one. Less church influence by far than further South. Most countries are fiercely tribal in a patria sense. But they are learning to work together. Cono Sur the southern cone is Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. ABC is Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. Andina is Bolivia to Venezuela. Like the US a main problem is using the nations wealth for the nation and not for a few billionaires. Same same Russia and USA.

    While some, especially in the intellectual upper classes, embraced communism many turned their backs in favor of leave me alone to exist. Also known as laissez faire nous. As Che the Chump found out when he began stealing their food. Next thing you know the Bolivian rangers showed up.

    The US has done very little in supporting moves to wards democracy and a Republic form of government. Sadly mostly supporting dictators. Left the field wide open for the Castro's until some disgusted members of he US military began giving lessons at no charge. Big flap over that thinking of Nicaragua and Uruguay.

    The current leftist strategy and some of the tactics though were straight out of the Cycle of Repression handbook written by a Brazileno who ran around with Che and Tanya.What Hillary and company are doing switched roles between rebels and government.

    If anything else is happening it's way further south than my location ....and no one is talking.

    Meanwhile Treasury Secretary under Bubba on loan from Gold Mon in dem Sacks managed to loot the Social Security and other US government funds held 'in trust'' Rubin. That dude. the turnover between government party officials and corporate office holders continues. Strings are pulled. Nothing changes.

    Except bit by bit Latin America is finding it's own way.Latest lesson. Don't depend on the gringo government.
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  • Posted by JoleneMartens1982 9 years ago
    I agree. We are taught to think and read in spurts. It is difficult to truly absorb anything so lengthy, when your attention span is so short. Our fly by lifestyles are grandly affecting our decision making skills and not for the better, I am afraid.
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  • Posted by $ Maree 9 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Mr Kelley i have known of you from across the globe several years and i take this opportunity to thank you for your video clips in the dVds.
    I too would pay to hear a full reading and would read the entire speech once more at the same time.
    I am currently facing an employment disciplinary and they don't know what they have coming. Let alone that this saturday is my 9th birthday of being on strike.
    Please stay active in this form of the Gulch.
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