Rand and Rickover; Interesting Similarities

Posted by $ Thoritsu 8 years, 9 months ago to History
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For some reason, this popped into my head while listening to Ayn from khalling's post.

Both Rand and Rickover were very intelligent, sharp, cutting, and spoke with blinding clarity. Both from Russia (Rickover from Poland, at the time occupied by the Tsar). Both jewish heritage. Both wildly successful in establishing a philosophy, Rand's Objectivism and Rickover's Nuclear Navy.

Do others see the parallels and/or have other observations about their similarities, or other connections?

I knew another much older engineer, while working early in my career, who was also from Russia, It shocked me to hear it. Absolutely no accent, whatsoever, and he came to the US at 14. Also very, very sharp.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyman_G...

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  • Posted by coaldigger 8 years, 9 months ago
    These are two examples, and there are many others, of how immigrants brought ideas and talents to America which we would be poorer without. A society, like a race, is kept fresh by the infusion of unrelated individuals and their desire to join and contribute.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 8 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    As evidenced back in 1981, you are quite right. He ordered an emergency crash astern, and the LA-Class boat he was on had a "loss of depth control". This was evidence of the "goofiness", and was used as an excuse to push him out by SecNav and SecDef.
    ...but he was wicked smart, and there would be no nuclear navy without him.
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  • Posted by dbhalling 8 years, 9 months ago
    He was certainly a creator and a bit of a goof ball. Eccentrics like Rickover would not be tolerated in today's Navy.
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