Happy 110th Birthday Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand's birthday is Monday, February 2nd.
I first discovered Ayn Rand at 24 when my girlfriend at the time, Angela, a woman nearly 10 years my senior, INSISTED I read The Fountainhead.
I remember being in a constant state of disappointment back then - not depression, but disappointment. I just found myself constantly disappointed in the people that surrounded me at the time. And, I didn't really know why. All I knew was that I loved my work, I wasn't happy, and I was stuck.
I couldn't put it into words. I couldn't articulate it. But, Angela saw it. And, she knew exactly what it was.
I devoured The Fountainhead. Or better stated, The Fountainhead devoured me. I was consumed. I think I actually read most of it with my eyes bulging and my mouth agape. At least, that's what it felt like.
I was speechless when I closed the back cover. I remember quietly rising off the couch... slowly standing... then, I simply stood... still.
I looked around the living room. I walked to the window. It was bright outside. And, I was new. The fog had been lifted.
3 years later I was running an IT Division for a dot com. 4 years after that, I started my own software company. 3 years after that we were doing 10 million a year.
7 years later, I was on the Atlas Shrugged Movie production team.
Wow.
I don't know how many people I've recommended Rand to over the years. Suffice it to say, a lot. Thank you Angela.
Thank you Ayn Rand.
Happy Birthday.
So, when did you discover Rand?
I first discovered Ayn Rand at 24 when my girlfriend at the time, Angela, a woman nearly 10 years my senior, INSISTED I read The Fountainhead.
I remember being in a constant state of disappointment back then - not depression, but disappointment. I just found myself constantly disappointed in the people that surrounded me at the time. And, I didn't really know why. All I knew was that I loved my work, I wasn't happy, and I was stuck.
I couldn't put it into words. I couldn't articulate it. But, Angela saw it. And, she knew exactly what it was.
I devoured The Fountainhead. Or better stated, The Fountainhead devoured me. I was consumed. I think I actually read most of it with my eyes bulging and my mouth agape. At least, that's what it felt like.
I was speechless when I closed the back cover. I remember quietly rising off the couch... slowly standing... then, I simply stood... still.
I looked around the living room. I walked to the window. It was bright outside. And, I was new. The fog had been lifted.
3 years later I was running an IT Division for a dot com. 4 years after that, I started my own software company. 3 years after that we were doing 10 million a year.
7 years later, I was on the Atlas Shrugged Movie production team.
Wow.
I don't know how many people I've recommended Rand to over the years. Suffice it to say, a lot. Thank you Angela.
Thank you Ayn Rand.
Happy Birthday.
So, when did you discover Rand?
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Bravo Sir, bravo.
Between 30 and 32 years ago I was starting my own tool and die shop and wondering why some of my associates were honorable producers struggling to prosper, while some were tyrants and looters and were prospering. I swore that I would never run a company like some I had worked at where the owner would step on anyone and everyone to make a buck and value for value meant nothing to them. Connections and contracts were their power of pull. Workers were expendable... replaceable. I heard Mark Scott on local talk radio extolling the virtues of Rand and I read AS. I knew right then that my self interest was directly tied to my reputation and that was of the utmost value to me and the future of my company. I began reading everything Rand I had time for, which opened an entire world of philosophy.
Over the years I watched several of my associates and clients with less virtue develop well deserved reputations and get in legal trouble due to their disreputable dealings.
I knew I had made the right choice.
Carpe diem!
O.A.
Needless to say, both my children read Atlas and Fountainhead in their teens.
I just recently bought The Fountainhead and had not heard of Ayn until reading AS a couple years ago. Wish I would have found it when I was 24 instead 50. It changed my life now but would have changed my path at 24, that is if I was smart enough to listen to the message. Now I have to make time for The Fountainhead.