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Importance of community in the Gulch

Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years ago to The Gulch: General
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My daughter, wife and I were talking this week about why our daughter didn't like high school. Like me, our daughter said that she found almost no one there with whom she could have an intelligent conversation. For me, that changed once I went to college, and I expect it will for her as well.

Now that I have achieved a certain level in my career, I have lots of friendly professional relationships with colleagues, but very few intellectually stimulating conversations outside of a very limited topic area in which we are among the world's best.

Being more of a generalist than my colleagues, I wanted to have conversations outside my area of expertise. That is part of why I joined Galt's Gulch Online and is a big reason why I contribute as much as I do.

A big reason why churchgoers go to church is to have a community of like-minded individuals. For us, well, we have this forum instead.

All Comments

  • Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    If things get that desperate, I will gladly charge Gulchers for power. I have been on almost every side of the energy business.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    America was a solid movie. D'Souza treated his foes reasonably when talking with them, then shredded their arguments later in the film. I was disappointed at how few people came, though.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Indeed you do provide value. I learn something that I didn't know on most days here in Atlantis.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I am going to watch "America" by Dinesh D'Souza and see if I can get our theater to distribute some Post-It Notes.
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  • Posted by johnpe1 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Scott welcomed me, also! this is a delightful
    respite from the world of redistribution of wealth,
    nationalization of healthcare, ignoring vets to death
    and using the irs as a weapon.

    let's go have some fun on the 4th!!! -- j

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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Of course, johnpe1, to some extent, I am kidding, about the maid bit. I did pay my way into the Gulch online, but no one invited me per se. I guess Scott deSapio invited me indirectly with an e-mail advertising the movie.

    I do like Au and even have quite a bit outside Atlantis.

    I have been an AR fan for about 6 years, but didn't know where the Gulch was for quite a while. I had to stumble into it kind of like Dagny.
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  • Posted by johnpe1 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    WoW, Jim! this is a trip back in time!

    I found this place 13 months ago while doing a
    firefox search for Ayn Rand stuff. just wandered in
    and paid for membership;;; felt like I belonged here,
    since I've read AS 3 times and I've been a devotee
    since 50 years ago.

    but you've been here 10 months and a week, says
    the timer on your first "post". so, if I pay you in
    gold, will you stay? I have some right here, no
    kidding. our little home is a safe deposit box.

    Thanks Again for all of your talents and contributions,
    sir, and for your kind offer of help! Would You
    Please Stay For Supper??? -- j

    p.s. Happy Fourth To You And Yours, Also!!!

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  • Posted by khalling 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    shoot, notperfect, go take calculus online for free so you know in your own head your dad was right. calc is a door. trig is a foundation
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm not perfect either, Notperfect, but like all of us, we do the best we can, and have no regrets.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I could be your maid like Dagny. I wasn't invited. That makes me a crash lander, so I am an uninvited house guest.
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  • Posted by Notperfect 9 years, 11 months ago
    Agreed jb. to learn what I have learned here in the Gulch has made me really look at things in this world in a different light. I do not claim to know it all, but it helps to have like minded people helping out with no question. I was always told if you do not ask a question how will you know the answer. Simple terms from a man who has long since passed. My dad would have enjoyed this community. The subjects they taught during his day were a whole lot different than mine and also no Common Core. I think he probably is rolling in his grave. He told me once he took trig. and calculus in high school. Trig. he passed with flying colors. Calculus he passed, but it bored him. When he graduated he went 1 semester of college the quit and went into the field he loved. Truck driving.
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  • Posted by desimarie23 9 years, 10 months ago
    I joined the Gulch for similar reasons. My friends and family don't entertain intelligent conversation. Nor do they care to discuss anything of value. Mostly they don't care to form opinions on pretty much anything...which I find to be dangerous, especially with the way things have become. Anyway...I come here to find the intelligent conversation and learn new things...the discussions definitely keep me on my toes. I am so happy to have found this forum.

    JBrenner, it's interesting that you made the church/forum connection--I tell people..."Some people have the Bible, I have Atlas Shrugged."
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 9 years, 11 months ago
    Community, yes. But there are other O forums out there. I find them just as unappealing as the airheaded sites. Many of those on those other forums are very closed minded. While I understand that many here are firm in some of their views, there is an open give and take that provides good intellectual stimulation and challenge.
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