I'm still alive!

Okay, role call, how many teenagers are on this forum? Just to get an idea. Perhaps we could start discussing ideas from a teenage point of view, or how school life affects us while trying to live rationally and the like.

I'm Tina, or Inky, whichever you prefer, and I'm sixteen. Now it's your turn.

Jeff, 16, Oregon. Became an objectivist while reading Atlas Shrugged in 8th grade.

Yeah! Who's the oldest? I'm Kori, 17. I'm guessing it's just the three of us.

I'm the youngest. I'm about five months younger than Inky I believe. I choose to take pride in that though.

Oh, my god...did I walk into the wrong thread or what!

apparently

LOL, Victor. You can still be a teenager.

Dannesjkold, I suppose I would take pride in young age, but the older I get, the closer I get to moving away from home (and that's just straight exciting).

Heh, no comment here, my mother's wandering around

And if any of you guys happen to have friends who are interested in Objectivism or are Objectivists themselves, please do invite them. Sometimes it seems like this joint needs more of a teenage perspective on things.

I have trouble finding objectivist friends. The kids at my school are predominantly people who have never earned, and therefore don't know the value of, a dollar. As a result they are more than willing to give everyone's money to somone else in the interest of the collective.

Danneskold; You will find that adults do that too. I like your posts kid. Keep up the good work. Thanks

LOL. Nobody here said anything. *eyes around suspiciously*




I hear you. NOBODY I know is interested in Objectivism or Ayn Rand. Most people think I'm an asshole.

Hm, I know what you mean. I know an "Objectivist" or two, but it seems that they're mostly using it as an excuse to be total douchebags. I've tried flinging Atlas Shrugged in a few people's faces, but I suppose the 1,000+ pages can be a bit intimidating...I'll find a good convert and drag them here soon enough.

I'm currently working on a convert. The kids a republican, most of the right ideas. Doesn't put enough limits on the state government in my opinion. Smart kid really, he just needs a few nudges in the right direction. With any luck you'll see him here soon.

What is this, a religion?

I don't think the term "convert" is specific to religion. To convert someone is to change their beliefs. Who cares if it's in regard to religion or philosophy?

I do.

I see this really hasn't gotten much off the ground since I took my break. Dissapointing. I've been quite busy lately due to several things amongst which are football practice, girlfriend, and an obscene amount of homework. So, here's what I was thinking. For one, you're never going to get a lot of traffic in this place. Let's face it, average teenager cares about as much about epistemology, metaphysics, etc. as a chimp. If teenagers were a species they could single-handedly disprove evolution because the vast majority are slightly lower than apes in cognitive abilities anyways and since things can't regress as they evolve it would throw off the theory. The second thing is that we need to make this place worth coming to for the rest of the teenagers. Start topics about common interests, for that matter, just start topics. Supply creates its own demand. Right now there's not much of either.

Danneskojld; Most adults are not that interested in the issues of philosphy. Hold to your ideas, act rationally, don't withhold your judgement, be a model. You may influence more people than you know. As Ayn Rand said "Good premises". What position do you play in football?

I couldn't agree more, Danneskjold. You're the first even slightly intelligent football player I've met.

I play noseguard on defense and fullback on offense. For those of you who don't know:

________________x
________________X
________________x
x____________xxxxxx ___________x
o____________o_ O_ o___________o
____________o_______o
_____________o__o__o

________________o

I play the positions represented by the capitol letters. (x=offense o=defense) on offense I block and on defense I create big piles and tackle. I guess I'm supposed to be the dumb meat.

I'm a catcher in baseball, that's my best sport.

Edit: Aww man that messed with my diagram. O well.

I've got my friend reading Atlas Shrugged. With any luck we'll have another person in here soon.

You should be relying on their mind and premises. Luck will have nothing to do with it.

Luck will put her in a favorable mood and with a favorable mood comes a better likelihood for a positive outlook on the ideas in the book. Luck, in the form of situations, has a little bit to do with everything. The way the ball bounces in baseball, if it hits a rock and bounces left, or flat dirt and bounces right. We call it luck. In that sense there's a little bit of luck in everything even if it's not truly luck.

Wow, it's official, I will defend anything I say whether it's necessary or not for the sake of defending it. But hey it's fun.

The law of idenity still rules! What you described is the law of idenity. But Good Luck anyway. Who won the football game?

No clue what said law is. Explain?

Football took a turn for the worse. I'll go over it in the thread I've got in the making for the Psychology section.

Law of Idenity is A is A. Sorry about football game. It is quoted in the last chapter of Atlas when your name-sake is getting ready to teach philosphy.

A=A? Wow, how could I miss that one. Well, I guess due to my geometry class I now know it as the reflexive property.

No wonder you're considered weird. You're listening in class.

Ya, that and I write five page essays on the psychology of my football team and contribute on two forums (this and my history forum).

Achaya (carly), 15, Oregon.

Getting a crash course in objectivism from Jeff.

Welcome Achaya! So your new to Objectivism? Well, I remember my first time. LOL. Anyway, I don't know what you know or have read, but here are a few Objectivist Highlights. Ayn Rand created a philosophical system in the 20th century that blazes a path into the future. Here are just a few - and just a few - high points.

Ayn Rand's philosophical system has five parts:

1. Where do you start? Reality
2. How do you know anything? Valid Knowledge
3. How do you make the right choices in life? Ethics
4. How do you know what kind of social system is best? Capitalism
5. what good is art to you? What is art?

If you have not read Ayn Rand, but are curious to know more about her art and philosophy, it is suggested to first read her fiction. Namely, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. [My fave is The Fountainhead].

If non-fiction is your thing, it is suggested that you read “The Virtue of Selfishness”---especially the opening essay ‘The Objectivist ethics’ and “Man’s rights.” From there you can move on to ‘Philosophy: who needs it.’ The answer is: YOU DO.

For a presentation of Ayn Rand’s groundbreaking theory of concepts, with emphasis on the relationship of abstractions to concretes, her “Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology is a must read.

If politics is of interest, there is “Capitalism: The Unknown Idea.” This excellent book includes “What is capitalism?” and “The anatomy of Compromise.”

Leonard Peikoff’s “Objectivism: The philosophy of Ayn Rand” is a complete and through presentation of the Objectivist philosophy --although you will find many critics here regarding this last work.

At a sales conference preceding the publication of Atlas Shrugged, one of the salesmen asked Miss Rand whether she could present the essence of philosophy while standing on one foot. She did:

1. Metaphysics: Objective reality.
2. Epistemology: Reason
3. Ethics: Self-interest
4. Politics: Capitalism



Talk to ya!

Victor

I think Inky packed up and moved out of her room.

Nnnoooo, never!

My name is Jehni. I live in Missouri. I really shouldn't be here because I'm 20... But less than 6 months ago I was 19 so I still think of myself as a teen!

Jehni, we need you with the grownups! You know the place--where we tear each other to pieces!

--Brant

Jehni; I want you to post a lot. Why do you ask? Because we will get to see your picture. WOW! WOW! WOW! Thank you. Chris

Thank you, Chris.

You're so sweet!

Jehni,

I haven't welcomed you to OL yet. Let me make it a warm one.

You are a sparkling pretty presence. It is a pleasure to have you aboard.

Michael

Jenhi; Thanks for your reply.

deleted by BG

I have the feeling Kori and Jeff are busy with school. Is that true of the rest of you?

Hey guys,

I'm Julian from New Jersey. I go to a pre-med oriented high school, and I want to be a plastic surgeon.

I first read Rand sophomore year. I'm a junior now.

Howdy, Julian. You have a themed high-school? How does that work? Is it private?

Kori; Have you been alright?

I've been ok, Chris. Just school and work. How have you been?

I'm feeling better now that it is Spring. Got to Cato yesterday. We'll go again today and tomorrow.

Great to hear, Chris. I definitely am feeling better now that it is Spring, too! I always forget how awesome flowers and fresh-cut grass are. It's the kind of weather that makes ya wanna clean out your filthy car. I mean, when I'm cruisin' with the windows down I don't want all my McD's bags flying around whappin' me in the face.

Hope you have a wonderful time at Cato.

Yesterday was good too.

Gov Sanford was very good. The question period was good too. Worth catching on-line.

Hi Kori,

Haha, I never thought of it that way. It's public, but I had to test to get in. It's pretty cool. Every year we do different dissections. We watch live surgeries via distance learning. Last year we did hospital rotations and next year we get to intern in a medical profession of our choice. Our curriculum is also more science-oriented, although we get the regular humanities classes.

This is not an endorsement of public schools though. It's definitely an improvement (I don't think I could have survived at a regular high school), but it is still frustrating at times.

Julian; Maybe I missed it but what year are you? Your high school sounds interesting and impressive.