What is so AWESOME about the gulch
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.
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.
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about value system formation in the early years
(like ages 5 to 15), with a "significant emotional event"
required to change the person's value system.
I like your phrase "the age of reason." . they say
that's around age 6, but I wonder. -- j
we have graduated to insane;;; I agree.
my first wife and I used to go to a theater nearby
called the "tap house" where we would munch on
nachos and drink long island teas and watch silly
movies -- with a cult movie at midnight like "Rocky
Horror" . . . your idea would be soooooo much more fun!!! -- j
of humor and a joy of life which is healthy . . . . not a
grousing about fairness and good intentions and the
tearing-down of value to massage society into utopia.
we love it, live it, and enjoy others doing the same!!! -- j
situations, corollaries, etc. -- j
ARI has not refused discussion with "anyone who was not anointed by the denizens of O land. "Objectivism'" is the name given by Ayn Rand to her own philosophy as she expressed and explained it, not whatever anyone else wants to say it is as they mangle it into eclecticism. ARI has not refused discussion or turned people away trying to understand Ayn Rand's philosophy, but it does not condone or help spread the confusion of subjective "open" Objectivism.
utmost in appreciation and respect. . Scott and Dale and
everyone who contributes to this forum, Thank You!!! -- john
A just tribute.
"Because the sight of an achievement was the greatest gift a human could offer to others"-A. Rand
Yes, the endeavors of Scott and others with him, have shown us that it can be done. The creation of the Gulch has offered a live and functioning sanctuary, if you will, to all who seek the knowledge of Objectivism.
"It was the greatest sensation of existence: not to trust, but to know."-A. Rand
The Gulch has offered me the reality of "knowing" there are others that follow and seek out the philosophy of Objectivism. I do not have to "trust" that it is alive. I know it.
I thank you all.
JC
The most difficult beliefs for people to examine are those beliefs which have been
(1) held for a long time,
(2) adopted before age of reason, and
(3) most often repeated.
Which explains why it is impossible to have a conversation on the two subjects one should never discuss socially: Religious and political beliefs. Both of these belief sets are indoctrinated by parents, teachers, religious leaders, and other adults, almost from birth, many years before the age of reason, and they are the most often repeatedly “drummed” into them. People will kill based upon their beliefs, but will not examine whether the belief is true or false.
Jan, still thinking
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