18

Survey! How Many Gulchers Have Gone On to Read Rand Since Coming to This Site?

Posted by khalling 9 years, 11 months ago to Philosophy
273 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

You saw the Atlas Shrugged movies and you found the Gulch. You picked up the book, Atlas Shrugged and learned of a philosophy of life that explained how you've always felt but did not know how to completely articulate. Or-you hadn't read AS in years and were inspired by the movies to pick it up and read it again. Wait! Don't go yet! I want you to also let us know if you have read any of Rand's non-fiction since you landed in the Gulch. But wait! I'd also like to know if you have ventured to other Objectivist scholarly sites after learning about them here (seeing a video or clicking a link which was a cite). Looking forward to your responses.

- - - - -

P.S. The Hotly Anticipated 2nd Novel in the Hank Rangar Series is Now Available on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Trails-Injustice-H...

All Comments

Previous comments...   You are currently on page 3.
  • Posted by $ puzzlelady 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I exhibited in Sugarloaf Crafts Festivals at Manassas fairgrounds for many years, including the year a mini-tornado wiped out most of the show. At dance competitions we meet many teachers from other cities. Under what name did she teach? Or should we take this discussion to PM? Were your parents Objectivists?
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, Goodkind, David A. Wells, Michael Sullivan and Brandon Sanderson among others. I don't know if they are Objectivists, but there certainly are Objectivist themes running through the books. If David Wells isn't an Objectivist, he might just not know he is. Here's a running theme through all his books: The Old Law. You have a right to your life because you are alive. You have a right to your liberty because you have free will. You have a right to your property because it is the product of your labor. You forfeit these rights when you take them from another.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I used to ride, (horses), out in Leesburg. It is unrecognizable to me now. I moved from Virginia in 1994 after I got married, moved back and built a house in Manassas in 1996, and then moved back north in '98.
    I danced at a place in Springfield, but I don't think it exists any longer, either.
    I will ask my dad about where she competed. That would be funny if you did by some coincidence, meet. My mother also taught, but in Pittsburgh.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You have a wonderful way of telling a story and placing the reader in it. It's visceral. Tactile, even. That's one of the things I love about you!

    Ps- watch out for flying margaritas..
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ puzzlelady 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    My husband and I are in Maryland, Baltimore suburbs. Back then we lived in Leesburg and I taught dancing in a studio in Arlington (The Feather and Three) until 1975, when we went to Iran for 4 years. That studio is now closed, proprietors passed away. We still have dozens of trophies from pro-am competitions won between 1967 and 1975. For all I know, we may have seen your mom at one of those events. Small world indeed.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That was serendipitous that you were able to discuss this with those couples. I have a much loved/worn copy I lend out, and one I keep at home that was a gift to my almost 15 year old daughter. She has read Anthem and We The Living, as has my 17 year old son. Those were both books he read in his English class last year, so there is still a spark of reason in our high school, contrary to what goes on in the rest of the state..

    I'm glad you found the Gulch. :-)
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm glad she was in your home to be picked up! Great story, Jan! My gosh, your eyes must have been shot! I know I found myself squinting a lot more after having read AS! I am convinced it sped my eyes along to where I now MUST have glasses on to read... That and I'm turning 48 at the end of this month... ;-)

    (That was pretty nice of your mom to do the dishes for you also.)

    NMA
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I think you will find much in common with The Romantic Manifesto, just in regards to you and your most fortunate Bride. :-)
    The Night of Jan 16, well, amazing.

    You truly are a most special friend here. I have learned much from your guidance and thoughtful comments and suggestions. Thank you for being part of that journey.

    Your friend,
    NMA
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    What a great story, puzzlelady! You spoke to her!
    Glad you had such a great attorney on your side.
    And ballroom dancing was something that my mom did, competitively in Pittsburgh and environs before I was born. (1967).
    She and I moved to Arlington, VA in '75 and she worked in DC and on The Hill for many years before retiring because of health reasons. Small world. Are you still there?
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by XenokRoy 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That is basically it. I hired him into my team out of college. Very liberal family, Socialism cool aid drinkers, mixers and servers. Never taught him to question those assumptions. Learning to do so is taking some time with him but he is taking the journey.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by XenokRoy 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Ya, also blows my mind. Its taking him a long time but his background is a large part of why. He comes from a diehard democrat family, he was not just a cool aid drinker but he was mixing it and giving it to others. Very active grass root campaigner. Smart kid who never had a chance because everything he learned growing up was socialism greatness.

    Over several years he has abandoned helping socialism, but is not yet to the point where he accepts (I think he knows) capitalism is the only real way.

    He makes me think of the wet nurse kid in AS.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by therev1953 9 years, 11 months ago
    Back in the olden 60s, Rand was required reading -The Fountainhead in 7th grade - the Trilogy in 10th. I am 60+ now but I still have my well worn paperbacks. The Trilogy took an entire semester. In 6th, 8th and 9th we read Shakespeare, Orwell, Hesse, Camus. 4 years later they had already dumbed down and libbed out the reading list. My sister had to read Judy Blume, Eudora Welty and Maya Angelou. Not calling them dumb but the "victim" indoctrination had begun.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by cjferraris 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I enjoy reading all of the Gulcher's posts. Many times you can learn just by listening to others opinions and experiences. I have really learned so much from being here and just wished that I had found this place sooner! There is quite a bit of shared wisdom that can be gleaned from the participants and when I feel the need to speak out, believe me, I will..
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Ibecame 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Nice idea, but I want to do a bit more reading first. One thing I can say right now is that I find Ayn Rand (Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum) to be one of the most impressive authors I have ever read, and I do a lot of reading.
    Reply | Permalink  

  • Comment hidden. Undo