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[Dude Abides]

I can only take a book full of lengthy soliloquies if they're Shakespeare, and Rand was no Shakespeare.

 

[ixix]

I don't want a copy of Atlus Shrugged, even for free.

Why not? I'd love a copy of Atlus Shrugged. Maybe it'd finally give a proper answer to why we haven't gotten a single Growlanser localized since Heritage of War.

Regrettably, I somewhat doubt the book on offer is going to answer that question to my satisfaction.

 

[blame space]

Oh, I'm sorry, it's so often used for other purposes.

 

[blame space]

FUCK! I missed the deal!

 

[Tomat]

So uh, I figure nobody around here really cares, but I still haven't received my book.

 

[CornBurrito]

Uhh no it isn't. Giving something away for nothing or sacrificing yourself is altruistic. Giving something away becuase you gain from it is not.

Guess what they are doing?

Then by that definition altruism does not exist. You always gain something even if it is just a warm feeling inside.

edit: Fuck didn't realize this was necroed by another poster.

 

[Walshicus]

As much of a socialist as I am, I actually quite enjoyed the book as a work of fiction. I don't agree with any of the underlying social commentary, but I've always been quite interested in Rand's writing style.

edit: Fuck didn't realize this was necroed by another poster.

Eep! Me neither.

 

[Corky]

I actually bought the book without knowing much about it, but why does gaf hate it? "rots your brain " etc

 

[genjiZERO]

I actually bought the book without knowing much about it, but why does gaf hate it? "rots your brain " etc

because he philosophy is meanspirited, survivalistic and essentially pits everyone against each other. It's almost anti-social contract theory. I hate her because The Fountainhead is idiotic - she essentially condemns Classicism in favour of Modernism, but fails to recognise that Modernism is Classicism.

 

[nomis]

Damn. I thought it was for a DVD copy of Atlas Shrugged: Part 1.

 

[Phobophile]

So uh, I figure nobody around here really cares, but I still haven't received my book.

I'm not expecting these to come via anything other than media mail.

 

[S.Dedalus]

I haven't gotten mine yet either, but I also haven't gotten any weird mail from them or threatening emails or weird visits. So I don't know what's up.

 

[John Dunbar]

On a completely unrelated note, does anyone else think Atlas Shrugged is a great title for a book? If I had to pick a book to read based solely on the title, and did not know what it was about, it would be pretty high on my list.

 

[Bowflex]

I think I'll pass

 

[CornBurrito]

On a completely unrelated note, does anyone else thing Atlas Shrugged is a great title for a book? If I had to pick a book to read based solely on the title, and did not know what it was about, it would be pretty high on my list.

Yeah the title alone is pretty eye catching.

 

[Cyan]

On a completely unrelated note, does anyone else thing Atlas Shrugged is a great title for a book? If I had to pick a book to read based solely on the title, and did not know what it was about, it would be pretty high on my list.

It's an excellent title. Too bad about the content.

 

[Plywood]

On a completely unrelated note, does anyone else thing Atlas Shrugged is a great title for a book? If I had to pick a book to read based solely on the title, and did not know what it was about, it would be pretty high on my list.

Oh yes definitely.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

On a completely unrelated note, does anyone else thing Atlas Shrugged is a great title for a book? If I had to pick a book to read based solely on the title, and did not know what it was about, it would be pretty high on my list.

Not as good a "Amature juggs"

 

[Corky]

because he philosophy is meanspirited, survivalistic and essentially pits everyone against each other. It's almost anti-social contract theory. I hate her because The Fountainhead is idiotic - she essentially condemns Classicism in favour of Modernism, but fails to recognise that Modernism is Classicism.

Wait, the book is still fiction isn't it? Then why would the way an author injects her views (?) in a ficticious scenario be so bad?

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Wait, the book is still fiction isn't it? Then why would the way an author injects her views (?) in a ficticious scenario be so bad?

The ficticious scenario is nothing but a dressing for those views, but its not like that with all writers.

 

[genjiZERO]

Wait, the book is still fiction isn't it? Then why would the way an author injects her views (?) in a ficticious scenario be so bad?

because it shows lack of understanding about her material. From the perspective of art Modernism is a mode of Classicism. It's like condemning Jazz while simultaneously extolling Bebop.

 

[CornBurrito]

Wait, the book is still fiction isn't it? Then why would the way an author injects her views (?) in a ficticious scenario be so bad?

Think of it like a Jack Chick tract. Ayn makes the characters and situation so unbelievable that it constantly breaks your suspension of disbelief. As a work of fiction it fails to draw you in.

Also there is a section of the book where she just breaks entirely away from the story to have a character deliver her philosophical views with about one hundred or so pages worth of text.

 

[Pollux]

On a completely unrelated note, does anyone else thing Atlas Shrugged is a great title for a book? If I had to pick a book to read based solely on the title, and did not know what it was about, it would be pretty high on my list.

It actually is...

 

[SouthernDragon]

What does that have to do with anything I'm saying? Why should someone be forced to do something if they don't want to? There isn't anything wrong with helping others or accepting help. It's wrong to force people to "help." Rand was saying that the idea of altruism as being bound to help others was bad. People should do things voluntarily. We're not children.

Huh, so no one's gotten their books yet. Was their fine print on that website?

Also, this whole "I shouldn't be forced to do something I don't want to" is childish.

 

[Tomat]

Good news for all you Ayn Rand fans

Spoiler

lol

My book came in today. I wasn't expected it to as I had completely forgotten about it.

Too bad I'm already reading A Song of Ice and Fire, so this one will probably end up being a paperweight for a while.

 

[Wario64]

Damn, I missed this.

 

[fse]

Apparently Steve Jobs was influenced by this book according to Woz. Haha.

 

[I H8 Memes]

Apparently Steve Jobs was influenced by this book according to Woz. Haha.

Then why does he build computers for communists? Apple PC's are the absolute opposite of free will. Their app store as well.

 

[S.Dedalus]

Got my copy today. Don't know when I'll get around to reading it, but, hey, it was free.

 

[Phobophile]

Got my copy today. Don't know when I'll get around to reading it, but, hey, it was free.

Got mine in yesterday. 1000+ pages at fucking 7 pt. font? Yeah I'm not in a rush to read that. My eyes will melt by the 2nd chapter.

 

[FairyD]

Got mine in yesterday. 1000+ pages at fucking 7 pt. font? Yeah I'm not in a rush to read that. My eyes will melt by the 2nd chapter.

One of the reasons why I hate paperback sometimes.

Trying to read a book like that on the bus/subway is almost impossible during rush hour.

 

[CharminUltra]

Not into politics at all, but I can tell you that this is the single worst book I've ever read. Total nonsense.

 

[Technosteve]

so you guys got books, dang i thought it was just a pdf file.

 

[Smellycat]

I just got the book today.

I skimmed through the pages, and there was this little brochure inside one of the pages that had this quote from Ayn Rand:

"Accept the fact that achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness - not pain or mindless self-indulgence- is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values"

If this quote is anything to go by, then I am going to hate this book. haha

What a bunch of nonsense.

 

[Monroeski]

You know how people say socialism is a great idea in theory but could never work in reality due to human nature? As far as I can tell objectivism (as I interpret it from this book) is the exact same thing for the opposite end of the political spectrum.

 

[adversesolutions]

ただでも要らん

 

[The Technomancer]

You know how people say socialism is a great idea in theory but could never work in reality due to human nature? As far as I can yell objectivism (as I interpret it from this book) is the exact same thing for the opposite end of the political spectrum.

Bingo. Makes a few assumptions about human nature that just don't hold up.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

I haven't gotten mine yet. Maybe when I finally get Xenoblade. Anyways, I thought the Fountainhead and Anthem were interesting enough when I read them in high school. Of course, I didn't really evaluate the moral philosophy at great length at that time, and even if I had I probably would have agreed with it more then than I do now. I'm interested to at least give it a shot and see how I feel.

 

[I H8 Memes]

I just got the book today.

I skimmed through the pages, and there was this little brochure inside one of the pages that had this quote from Ayn Rand:

"Accept the fact that achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness - not pain or mindless self-indulgence- is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values"

If this quote is anything to go by, then I am going to hate this book. haha

What a bunch of nonsense.

Why do objectivists feel the need to dress up their philosophy in word salad just to avoid saying the plain truth. "Go forth and be as greedy and as selfish as you can be". There, no need to be cowards about it.

 

[Nappuccino]

Why do objectivists feel the need to dress up their philosophy in word salad just to avoid saying the plain truth. "Go forth and be as greedy and as selfish as you can be". There, no need to be cowards about it.

Because everyone everywhere wants to sound like they are as smart as they could possibly be. Have you ever read a text book? I can guarantee that they are worded much more verbosely than they have to be so that the author sounds intelligent.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

My mom said she just got a package for this, I guess it was real after all!

 

[tallkid123]

Here's a tip when you read this book - Skip the 30-50 page rant at the end

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Here's a tip when you read this book - Skip the 30-50 page rant at the end

Why is it bad? I've never read a single one of her books so I want to read one just to see what everyone makes fun of her for.

 

[andymcc]

Yeah I'm not in a rush to read that. My eyes will melt by the 2nd chapter.

coincidentally, that's also about the point your brain would begin to melt.

 

[Stumpokapow]

Why is it bad? I've never read a single one of her books so I want to read one just to see what everyone makes fun of her for.

Both Atlus Shrugged and The Fountainhead (which is a significantly better book) suffer from near-the-end-of-the-book 30+ page monologues. Rand's writing isn't known for subtlety, but especially during these passages it's just POUNDING you over the head with the central themes of the book.

I think, though, what most people make fun of her for is just, generally, objectivism (her philosophy). The criticisms of the writing are secondary to the criticisms of the ideology.

 

[Muskweeto]

I just started reading this book so I came into this thread to find some insight into the book.
I left wanting Circus Peanuts.

 

[David Incorporated Esq.]

Why is it bad? I've never read a single one of her books so I want to read one just to see what everyone makes fun of her for.

Have you ever read 50 pages of one character delivering a speech? It's absurd. If it were to be delivered as an actual speech instead of read, it would take 3+ hours.

 

[afternoon delight]

Both Atlus Shrugged and The Fountainhead (which is a significantly better book)

I loved Fountainhead so I'm pretty de-hyped for Atlus Shrugged now, thanks. Despite some glaring, fanatical quirks, Fountainhead is a damn good ode to humanity.

Have you ever read 50 pages of one character delivering a speech? It's absurd. If it were to be delivered as an actual speech instead of read, it would take 3+ hours.

This is an exaggeration. By a lot.

 

[Cyan]

This is an exaggeration. By a lot.

Is it?

To the Googles!

http://www.noblesoul.com/orc/books/rand/atlas/faq.html#Q5.1

5.1 How long would John Galt's speech last if it was actually read aloud?

According to what Galt says later in the book, his speech supposedly lasted three hours. Contemporary audio recordings of the text confirm that this is the approximate time for reading the speech aloud.