[Ask the Gulch] I'm confused, Is being a contributing and productive member of a society Objectivist or Collectivist? I'm an Artisan Capitalist that makes stuff to pay my debts and live self supporting while contributing to Culture. Where do I belong here?
Posted by GSMonroe 2 years, 8 months ago to Ask the Gulch
This site was started by the team who put out the Atlas Shrugged movie which is based on the book Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. That book is based on the philosophy that Rand calls Objectivism.
I suggest that you read the book, it is long but the plot line is not too hard to follow. How the actions of the protagonists relate to
Objectivism is the important part. You may have comments to make or questions, see you later.
I've friends who have been involved in your artisanship. Henly Music in Minnesota. They designed and built string and woodwind instruments...dis-band-ed (pardon the pun) for decades. One brother still creates dulcimers for a limited patronage. To "subsidize" his passion he has one of the most lucrative window repair businesses I have ever seen. He does all the repairs for late19th and early 20th mansions in St Paul and Minneapolis. He pursues his passion for woodcraft in a manner that allows his artisanship to flourish. I'm of a similar disposition in that I've been in business metalworking for over 3 decades. I've worked architectural finish to "can you stick this together so it works?" endeavors. I've worked with composites, plastics and woods as well. Currently slabbing select upper mid-west hardwoods for a group of artisans in Cody, Wy. Tim Lozier and Steve Winer are my contacts (https://www.bywesternhands.org/artisa....
I closed my operations in Mn 17 months ago and moved to eastern Wi to be away from the mania I watched develop over 30 years. Over 3 years of planning. The move cut my living costs by 60% and put me in an environment of like minded craftsman and artisans...in a county of 75k.
The move also put me right in the middle of a Gulch. I'm associated in a consortium of very independent farmers and manufacturers. The spread of skill sets that are traded with little monies exchanged is really liberating. Since Feb I have harvested trees, built over 30 raised bed gardens, fenced the paddock for deer. I erected two storage sheds made from machinery shipping crates, 8x17 and 10x15 with 9 foot sides. I installed rainwater storage of 1100 gallons in 4 totes and mezzanines in each. Planted crops and now in mid-harvest. I've been involved in the processing of 60 meat chickens with another set of 50 due in two weeks. I'm training my "people" in the pruning of fruit trees....a skill I've developed over the past three years, and the fruit-ion of that is bounty this year.
With that expressed, I had to give up a passion for this year, and most likely the next....off-shore sailing. I love big water. I can expose my self to the vulnerability of no rescue for the passion of being alive. How much vulnerability can you perceive, in changing a lifestyle, that will meet the desires of pursuing your passions? In the meantime I'm going to check on an avenue of potential opportunity for you to expose your product. I've an uncle who lives outside Nashville who may have some interesting insights; after more than 40 years playing B3 organ earned a Grammy with Delbert McClinton.
Cheers!
If you are forced to contribute that is collectivist.
In Atlas Shrugged one of the producers who joins the strike is a musician.
I do not know much about art, but in general I believe in focusing on actions you can take to get what you make connected to people who want to pay for it and can afford it. Resist the urge to ruminate about politicians. They don't have nearly as much influence as they act like they do. You can occasionally attend fund raisers, write letters, vote, but then move on to things you have direct control over. That is unfortunately easier said than done.