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What is so AWESOME about the gulch

Posted by dbhalling 9 years, 1 month ago to Philosophy
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Hi Scott,

I want to tell you what is so amazing about the gulch. It is not only about giving people a voice. However, it may take me a bit of history to explain.

At the end of Rand’s life she was tired of arguing with fools, as were many geniuses including Newton and Gauss (both refused to publish for this reason). This encouraged a fortress mentality, which is perhaps best exemplified by the debate between open and closed Objectivism. Unfortunately, this resulted in a retrenchment much like the pythagoreans. As a result, Objectivists withdrew to their ivory tower and refused to engage with anyone who was not anointed by the denizens of O land. This excluded and intimidated many who were interested in Objectivism and many people who could advance the study of Objectivism. As a result, Objectivism has stalled. Overall Objectivism has not made the progress it should have in the last 20 years, either in scholarship or in attracting people to its principles.

You have created a site that bridges, the academic and the “real world”, you have created a site that opens scholarship to those that are not anointed, you have created the breakthrough that will allow objectivism to advance in the world. That is amazing and will earn you a place in the history of philosophical scholarship. Unfortunately, this will require tolerating a lot of conservatives, libertarians, and some socialists, who do not understand or want to undermine Objectivism. However, your site allows the wheat to sift through the chaff.

Your journey has included trying to convert the most complex, intellectual novel into a movie. You have received unwarranted criticism from both the ivory tower O’s and the socialists. Unfortunately, the criticism from both sides was expected. Despite this you and JA and Harmon and my daughter brought tens of thousands if not millions to the ideas of Rand. These people are not O’s, but many are willing or interested in learning.

In order to complete your journey you and us will have to deal with many on the left and the religious right and we will not always agree, however the value of staying the course will be enormous for both Objectivism, the world, and your place in history.


All Comments

  • Posted by Aeronca 2 years, 2 months ago
    I love this place. How it is set up, how it led me through the beginning and the explanations. I did not become a Producer and loved how it is mentioned, Why should I pay? Read Atlas Shrugged. To the point!
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  • Posted by MiKa 2 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Very important distinctions made here since we can't have a society without cooperation/collaboration and the quality of that collaboration is much better if individuals are encouraged to pursue their own talents.
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  • Posted by Reconnjohn 2 years, 6 months ago
    I'm very happy to be here. It's a relief from the liberal sympathizers that surround me.
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  • Posted by GSMonroe 2 years, 9 months ago
    I have just arrived, and feeling like a refugee entering a new land of promise. I bring with me both a viable skill set, and a willing to contribute. Be gentle.
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  • -1
    Posted by chriwatkins 3 years, 7 months ago
    As I alluded to in my "virgin" post a couple days ago, I am an "old timer" still trying to get a grip on the social media gig yet now more intrigued with with this site as I slowly attempt to navigate my way through it.
    I was kind of thrilled that I got 10 points for my post though I've yet to fully understand what that means. Does that put me in the cross-hairs of Mark Zuckerberg? If so, go ahead chump and fire away!
    Anyway, I'm thrilled to have discovered this forum and feel like I've finally entered the gulch!
    Please bear with me as I try to get a handle on this thing and forgive me if I might accidentally miss-type a word or two as my arthritic fingers are a bit less reliable nowadays.
    Oh by the way, I love the idea of Candace Owens on the Supreme Court though I'm not totally sure that she has the right credentials given that she is too much of a free thinker!
    Later,
    Chris
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  • Posted by SteveSmith 4 years ago
    I am a man of faith who has enjoyed the book and the films a lot. Atlas Shrugged was my Mother's favorite book and i have read it at least 3 time myself. We may not agree on everything but we can still grow and learn from all who share their thoughts.
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  • Posted by Diane19 5 years, 2 months ago
    Hi. What an interesting site. Thanks for having me.
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  • Posted by DeangalvinFL 5 years, 10 months ago
    Well said.
    We have to have the courage to reach out to those who want to learn. Unfortunately that means dealing with a lot of fools.
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  • Posted by ByzantineGeneral 6 years, 3 months ago
    "Arguing with fools" neatly equivocates between being a fool for engaging in dialectics vs AR and being a fool for disagreeing with her. Which did you mean? More to the point, what did /she/ mean?
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  • Posted by thedeadinme 6 years, 5 months ago
    This looks like a great board and I am only on a few and glad I found this one. Hope to talk to some of you soon when I have time.
    Reply | Permalink  

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