I do that also. Then I fear that I am getting Alzheimer's and then, breaking through my short term memory losses, I remember I was diagnosed as dyslexic. So.. I'm not as dumb as some tinkle peep I am.

I'm totally with you.

I meant nothing negative - quite the opposite. A good entrepreneur takes advantage of every advertising opportunity that comes his way.

I am most interested in applying the principles of Objectivism to current life. AS was a great book in showing how collectivism destroys things, and it showed how Dagny and Hank fought the system the way they had always done it- which no longer worked as the society degenerated.
So what are we to do now? The price of "shrugging" is essentially to withdraw from the benefits of our society. But we only have one life, and it seems a shame to just withdraw and eventually die while the socialists like Obama take advantage of our work and have a great life.

This is a real quandry of life in the USA currently. I find myself 'wanting' to buy less and make less to avoid the taxation.

I am encouraged that Trump won over the evil witch Hildebeast to give me a little more time to enjoy life and perhaps slow down the spread of socialism. What I want to do is withdraw from our current society but I dont want to give up all the advantages of it that are still there. Definite problem...

Sanity check! Me dino was wondering what to write here. Well, uh, uh--what you said.

I enjoy conversing with intelligent, literate people who treasure individual freedom. I have learned from being here that I am not an Objectivist but rather a Libertarian/Christian/Constitutionalist. Being in the Gulch has allowed me to understand myself and my values more precisely.

I believe that GG is for Obj.ists or those wanting to learn about Obj.ism; to share or address areas of confusion. But not for those who simply want to criticize.

Danged homonyms! :)

Can't believe I typed hear instead of here...hate it when that happens.

One of the things I value about the Gulch is that with only a few exceptions people are focused on the logic of the position rather than the emotion or rhetoric. This allows for productive discussions - even in disagreement. This is the first site I've been on where this is the modus operandi instead of the exception, and it's wonderful.

Most of the people here are well-informed and sharp. I learn a lot on this forum, and contribute a little humor.

There are not a lot of place where all freedoms are considered valuable, and wise people bother to put logic behind their beliefs.

ThanksGluching might be more important to me than Thanksgiving!

Absolutely. We can't learn if we all start with the same background, understanding, and viewpoint.

In addition to most of the reasons stated by others, The Gulch is something of a sanity check where I can find people that think differently than most of society and aren't completely looney tunes. I came to many of the concepts of Objectivism naturally and Atlas Shrugged was an ah-ha moment. There was not a lot of people that I could discuss this with and when some opinions would come out of my mouth someone that had read AS but rejected it would ask "are you a Randite or something?" Sharing the thoughts and experiences with like minded people is a pleasant pastime.

This motive had been previously disclosed to Scott, in the form of a listing in the Marketplace.

It is true that Americans have been clustering into political camps for about a generation. See The Big Sort here: http://www.thebigsort.com/home.php

In the 1960 Presidential election, Kennedy won by about one vote per precinct across all precincts. That is no longer the case.

A similar perspective comes from Bowling Alone. We used to socialize with people who disagreed with us on politics, mostly because we did not discuss politics (or religion). Now, those recreational groups are less common than they were a generation ago.

While it is true that we have discussions, debates, and disagreements here, those are all within a narrow context. I took some flak here for saying that some of my best friends have been communists. (If you do not understand that, you probably have not read We the Living.) Overall, we tend not to get too far afield.

The fact is that civilization and capitalism were possible expressly because of the diversity of the city. The willingness to socialize outside of the tribe, indeed, to abandon the native tribe and enter a fluid and dynamic social environment, is the mark of a self-defined individual.

Similar minded folks for the most part.

Much as you Herb, the more I write, discuss, and even argue Objectivism, the better my understanding and knowledge grows.

I for one applaud your contributions.

It would be no fun or benefit at all if everyone here had the same point of view. Sure, we all have a background in Objectivism but are a diverse lot.

I too have learned a lot and treasure each one's knowledge and expertise.

I also, hope that I have contributed as well.

We are all hear to learn new things and new ways of understanding what it is to be objective.
It would be very boring otherwise.

I'm here for the reason that I don't agree with all of the posts. They make me think and re-think my positions on a lot of top[ics. I don't wlways comment directly, but the criticism I receive is always appreciated and taken to heart.
If it ever becomes just a like thinking community, I'll leave. Given the likes of the inhabitants of the Gulch, that ain't gonna happen.

Aha! An ulterior motive. I love it.

It is a privilege.

"Little iislands of sanity." is apt imagery. One would like those little islands to grow into continents, but at present I'm happy that those places exist.

Hi Herb ,
A year ago I was just finishing reading Atlas Shrugged to my wife. The book was an enlightening experience for both of us. I finally felt an understanding to what was happening to our country.
I was seeking more Ayn Rand and read a few more of her books. Then I watched some old interviews of her. One day I stumbled into Galts Gulch much like Dagny I was chasing a lead.
After briefly lurking , I joined. I don't join groups.
I am thankful to learn ,share and I feel a connection to so many ethically self interested people who have the kind of curtious dialog and sound ideas that will propel a true advancement in our society. Thanks Herb for enriching and contributing to my growth!

I like communicating with like-minded people. Objectivism, and sites like this, are like little islands of sanity in an ocean of lunacy. What to see some real lunacy? Turn on the evening news. I also appreciate what others have to say about the philosophy. I usually open my eyes and ears and close my mouth to learn.

I'm here for all the reasons you are, Herb, plus to recruit future Galts to my nanotech minor program.