better a Gulcher than a moocher or looter, eh?
Posted by Coder 12 years, 6 months ago to The Gulch: Introductions
Of course the title assumes a dichotomy that might not pertain--When I first read The Fountainhead about 30 years ago, I finally felt like someone else knew what it was like to be me (not that I was anywhere near as competent as Roark, but man, I still felt like 'that's me'. I imagine many here had the same experience.) Twenty five or so years later, when I finally read Atlas Shrugged I got a whole new epiphany (perhaps shared by others here) regarding how important it was for the country, even the world and mankind in general that something had to be done, and done soon to bring this country (I live in the US) back from the morass of collectivistic insanity that we've plunged into. Still, I'm more a Classical Liberal (i.e. Libertarian) than an Objectivist, and I am a Christian conservative (I disagree with Rand's position on abortion, for instance), but enjoy and agree with most of what I've read so far of Rand's philosophy and find nothing but intellectual honesty in the objections to Christianity and religion in general I've read posted here at The Gultch so far. I'm hoping we can agree to not despise each other on account of me not being totally assimilated into this collective [ I'm not picking a fight; I'm just curious if it will ruffle a feather]. As I hope I've already implied, I feel we've got a lot more in common than not and I'm looking forward to learning a lot here and who knows, maybe even contributing a little (eventually, I'm a slow learner on some topics). I'm NOT asking for compromise. Truth compromised with a lie is a lie, (or food mixed with poison is poison, to borrow from Rand). I'm hoping we can find that common ground without the compromise.
Personal background: I'm over 5 decades into this life, have two kids and am miraculously married to same wonderful woman for over three of those decades.
Professionally, I'm a computer systems analyst and my work for the last fifteen years has been primarily about maintaining a realtime system at a major utility. I'll answer to 'Coder' or 'Joshua' or 'Josh' or whatever else you want to call me.
Personal background: I'm over 5 decades into this life, have two kids and am miraculously married to same wonderful woman for over three of those decades.
Professionally, I'm a computer systems analyst and my work for the last fifteen years has been primarily about maintaining a realtime system at a major utility. I'll answer to 'Coder' or 'Joshua' or 'Josh' or whatever else you want to call me.
I'm expecting to enjoy it here. My son (still in his early 20's) is a much bigger fan of Rand even than I am. (as far as I know he's read everything she's published and much of other Objectivists) I think I'm going to try to drag him here too. Where I am reticent, he's somewhat more free to express. I think if you guys can stand me, you'll love him.
thank you for my first welcome!
But reading the Fountainhead first, helped me put words to the feelings I had about Man, in the first place. and I found Roark and Dominque's struggles moving and compelling. for everyone it is different-but I have always told people to begin with Fountainhead if they are unfamiliar with Rand. but now with the movies, so many are coming to Rand that way, and if moved, they're cracking open the kindle version of AS. :) There's lots of people in here who have not read Fountainhead or We the Living or Anthem. that is sooo curious to me.
enjoy it in here coder, I'm getting ready to post some Locke-so you may well want to comment!
It turns out that I have long considered Locke one of the key heroes of the 17th century, without which we might not have ever seen the USA nor Objectivism (wow, i just had to add that to my dictionary, I hope I spelled it right!)... so the Locke quote you flung out by itself is a good lure. (though I've only begun to read his work (I really do need to do more primary reading)).
I fully expect to disagree with most of that book, but I don't read things just because I find them self-affirming (else why read the Bible?) I don't want my self to be only what it is now. I want it bigger and better. (I could add faster and cheaper, but I'm no longer a teenager).