Derek McGowan

Ok, can we just talk about the scene where ragnar meets rearden on the road.... I wish I had the exact wording but - a man in the shadows jumps out, rearden goes for his gun, the notices the shadow man's "proud posture".... And realizes he isn't a robber.... LOL! I wish I had the radar that some of these characters have... I'm still laughing at that one

can someone give me a link to a comprehensive explanation of the role of courts and law enforcement in an objectivist environment. Every place I look seems to only regard courts as places to dispute contracts (that have already been made, between parties) and that law enforcement is a pure defensive mechanism. I searched through about 200 videos under Yaron but there are so many videos on there that I had to give up.

How can anyone hate competition? Especially in America, the nation where NFL football games are consistently the top watched broadcasts? Where we send girls to soccer and gymnastics and boys to karate and pop warner, as soon as they are old enough to walk. Where we compete in pick-up games and video games. Where guys rev their engines at neighboring cars while waiting at lights. Where desperate shoppers physically compete with one another on Black Friday in the aisles of Wal-Mart for that last Monster High doll. I personally love every bit of it. It makes us stronger. It propels us forward. The tears following a loss become the determination at winning the next deal. It gives us a great variety down the cereal aisle. It gives us smaller and faster phones. Okay, so the phones are now growing larger now but so what. I love it in business; I love it in sports. I love it in The Battle of the Bands; I love it in The Last Comic Standing. I love it in courting, well maybe not (I’d prefer to just get the girl). But…. There are times where I don’t love competition. In fact, I hate it in some situations. Situations like “file formats,” “protocols,” and “form factors.” What am I talking about? How about how many picture formats there are, let me count the ways… Well, we have JPEG/JFIF, JPEG 2000, Exif, TIFF, RAW, GIF, BMP, PNG, PPM, PGM, PBM, PNM, PFM, PAM, WEBP. And …. RGBE (Radiance HDR), IFF-RGFX, JPEG XR (New JPEG standard based on Microsoft HD Photo), TGA (TARGA), ILBM (IFF-style format for up to 32 bit in planar representation, plus optional 64 bit extensions), DEEP (IFF-style format used by TVPaint), IMG (Graphical Environment Manager image file; planar, run-length encoded), PCX (Personal Computer eXchange), ECW (Enhanced Compression Wavelet), IMG (ERDAS IMAGINE Image), SID (multiresolution seamless image database, MrSID), CD5 (Chasys Draw Image), FITS (Flexible Image Transport System), PGF (Progressive Graphics File), XCF (eXperimental Computing Facility format, native GIMP format), PSD (Adobe PhotoShop Document), PSP (Corel Paint Shop Pro), VICAR file format (NASA/JPL image transport format), CGM, Gerber File Format (RS-274X), SVG, AI (Adobe Illustrator), CDR (CorelDRAW), HPGL, introduced on Hewlett-Packard plotters, but generalized into a printer language, HVIF (Haiku Vector Icon Format), MathML, MetaPost, Myv vector format, NAPLPS (North American Presentation Layer Protocol Syntax), ODG (OpenDocument Graphics), !DRAW, a native vector graphic format (in several backward compatible versions) for the RISC-OS computer system begun by Acorn in the mid-1980s and still present on that platform today, POV-Ray markup language, PPT (Microsoft PowerPoint), Precision Graphics Markup Language, a W3C submission that was not adopted as a recommendation., PSTricks and PGF/TikZ are languages for creating graphics in TeX documents., ReGIS, used by DEC computer terminals, Remote imaging protocol, VML (Vector Markup Language), WMF / EMF (Windows Metafile / Enhanced Metafile), Xar format used in vector applications from Xara, XPS (XML Paper Specification), 3D vector formats[edit], AMF - Additive Manufacturing File Format, Asymptote - A language that lifts TeX to 3D., .blend – Blender, COLLADA. And…… .dwf, .dwg, .dxf, eDrawings, HSF, IGES, IMML - Immersive Media Markup Language, IPA, JT, PRC, STEP, SKP, STL - A stereolithography format., U3D - Universal 3D file format, VRML - Virtual Reality Modeling Language, XAML, XGL, XVL, xVRML, X3D, .3D, 3DF, .3DM, .3ds - Autodesk 3D Studio, 3DXML, X3D - Vector format used in 3D applications from Xara, EPS (Encapsulated PostScript), PDF (Portable Document Format), PostScript, a page description language with strong graphics capabilities, PICT (Classic Macintosh QuickDraw file), SWF (Shockwave Flash), XAML User interface language using vector graphics for images., MPO , PNS, JPS The JPEG Stereo…. (These are all real formats) I wouldn’t have a problem with it if it wasn’t for the fact that many programs and some websites ONLY accept entrants in their personally format. That type of thing just burns my biscuits! Why don’t the companies get together and agree on one format and roll with it. They can still compete on functionality of the software. What about the people who bought all those HD DVDs? That sucks. Just because some companies wanted to have a shoot-out over their personal proprietary systems, a large segment of the populations has a crate full of trash discs and probably multiple trash set-top boxes. I’m glad I didn’t participate in that crap and I’m glad the Beta/VCR shoot-out was finished before I could make the purchase. So here I am minding my own business, and my phone is getting low on battery. Time to charge. No problem, let’s grab a USB charger. Hmm ok, no problem. HUH??!! What the hell?? Why do I have to deal with this!! Ok, ok I’m calm… just going to settle down, fix me something to eat in my new pan I just bought. Brand new! Ceramic, anti-stick, green…. This thing is smooth as butta and no need to spend the extra money on the lid because I have another 12” pan with a lid. I’ll just use that one : ) Do-diddo, diddo…. What….. : ( WHY DOESN”T IT FIT?????????????????????????????????????????????? How the hell the manufacturer gain an edge (win the competition) by creating proprietary LID SHAPES?? And while I’m at it, did you know there were 8 different memory stick form factors? And why if I buy a XBOX video game, won’t it work on PlayStation? I already bought your particular console, you’ve won that competition, but now I can’t play my favorite game over my friend’s house because they have the opposing console? What kinda $h!t is that? Let’s not forget about everyone’s favorite shopping experience (it is the holidays right). Both these sweaters are XXL Okay, I’m done. You’ll get no clothes from me my nieces. I hope you will be satisfied with a best buy gift card… even though you are only 9 and 7 : ( PS You know what else makes me sick- batteries. I know the different sizes provide a different amount of voltage but how many times have you grab a fresh pack of AAs from the store only to get all the way home and realize you really needed AAAs! @%$#&^%(*&^

thanks

Is there anyway to paste a word document that has pictures in it. Every time I have tried, the images vanish

My issue Selene is based on the link I provided. Arbitration is fine in a business dispute, but what about in a criminal court, like when a 16 year old kills four and injures 9 by running through a crowd with his truck (see link) In this case, the judgment could possibly be sending someone to jail for the rest of their life. Do we want to have the power to pick judges then? Do we want judges who are influenced by a party's money. Is there anyone who isn't corruptible in such a position?

compete with other judges for trustworthiness? There are judges now that lawyers hope to get because they have shown certain lenience in particular types of cases, if individuals can choose their judge then why wouldn't those judges start to acquire more and more status and power as a reward for specific judgments?

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/12/16/is-affluenza-contagious/ If we are able to transition into a objectivist style society, with government limited to courts who settle contract disputes, how do we prevent the judges from becoming the "new" politicians, ie the one's with the power thus the one's whom the "lobbyists" go after with trips and gifts. Perhaps a separate Internal Affairs department who themselves would have the power to remove judges?

Oh, I didn't get it....

Curious that Selene and others (the three other sites I looked to for previously written analysis on the conversation) found the the most interesting part to be the Dagny, Rearden, "not your wife" stuff. Curious-er still, is the fact that I find nothing interesting in that portion but am still fixated on Mayor Bascom's actions with the motor company. Marotta has address this somewhat in hie response. Basically I see the Mayor as somewhat akin to Richard Gere's character in Pretty Woman. He doesn't make money by producing anything, he actually makes money by destroying production (by taking a company, splitting it up, over leveraging it, pillage and plunder, etc) The Mayor said, and I wish I had a written copy of the text, something like "well isn't that what you buy a place like that for, to tear out everything that is left?" I probably just butchered the quote but you get the point. My question is, what is the objectivist defense against such people? How to prevent a thriving company from being the victim of either a hostile takeover, or because some well meaning owner borrowed too much and has to lean on this scumbag for a few months, only to find out that the scum bag is now in control and hasn't a care for the future dreams of your company. If scum bag finds more value in raping the company vs production, what can you do in this environment of debt and public shares?

Peter, Perhaps you haven't read all of the posts in this thread (and who would?!) so just to catch you up.... You asked how would my fictionalized world come into play (before you could then tear its foundations apart). Well, the book is basically about how it comes into place. The book does not deal with, nor show this fictionalized world. It is "The Path to Free" The conversation at the end is basically, "now that we have this stuff, is this possible? Yes or No" This conversation is framed by two people and yes, one of them does live in such a voluntary society and he is out recruiting others (like John Galt) but at no point does the reader "live" among the inhabitants. Your questions about who would do this and where would this come from is precisely what the conversation is. Question and ... answers! I don't blame you if you could no would not read it (with a fox) so that is why I am more than willing to have the full conversation with you in private messaging. Most people participating in this thread have heard my arguments enough (without me revealing too much of the story) As for Moralist, For the billionth time, I don't believe in Utopias, never have, never will. I do not need to correct or fix evil. Again, I dont believe in Utopias so I know that evil will exist in my society, so what? Evil exits now, evil would exist in lassiez faire, evil would exist in pure socialism, evil would exist in global Galt's gulch, so what? I'm not out to defeat evil, I'm not out to control people, I'm not out hoping that people will all think like me. One of the major themes in the book is to show that there are so many different mentalities in the world

Thanks Derek. I have not forgotten about our chess conversation. However, it looks like we lost one of our potential player in RB. I've narrowed it down to chapter 10, section 2. Dagny and Rearden are in Rome Wisconsin to speak to the Mayor about the 20th century Auto company. I'm guessing that Ayn Rand doesn't like a character such as the Mayor (or does she) but I want to know what is the Objectivist defense against someone such as he

I'd love to reveal all to you Peter in private conversation. If you so choose, please send me a message. I'll even send you the final 40 pages of the book where the discussion over this proposed society takes place.

I'm actually listening to it, not reading Selene, but ill pinpoint it asap

On chapter ten 1. So Eddie willers wasn't black in the book?! (guess the movie had an impact on me 2. Wyatt should have built pipelines and said to hell with the trains 3. I would appreciate an objectivist analysis of the conversation with mayor bascom. He and the guys he worked with seem less leeches/parasites and more like vampires, I.e. they attack with force and purpose, the only purpose of which is to drain the last of any life blood. Versus leeches who, in their attempts, at equalization, slowly suck energy out of a host

It certainly will be. Cruise ships are floating non stop buffets. Greg You know what's funny, on the cruises I've been on, I've actually eaten LESS than I normally would. Something especially turned me off while watching my wife eat plate after plate...

The Klingon Empire is not a member of the Federation but an ally of it. Yes one of the episodes of TNG made the point that the Enterprise, a space faring vehicle of extreme, bleeding edge, technological accomplishment, .... didn't cost anything to build.... that concept has truly stuck with me all these years

Honestly, I don't know what exactly I was saying. It was apart of a dream and I never thought through it any further. You are correct on my descriptions of the three incentives. Maybe I'll think about it further at some point.... Maybe it would be a waste of thinking.....

My personal take on executive compensation, For most of my life I thought that whatever a company pays an individual, whether it is a movie star or a CEO, is completely up to that company which has the means to pay such salary. It has no place being decided by outside individuals and it is none of their business, full stop. Today, I still believe it to be none of an outside person's business and I still believe a company should be able to pay whatever it would like..... but, I do take personal issue with the practice of outrageous salaries. Not because I envy those folks, not because I think that no one should get paid such "obscene" amounts, not even because I think they should share more of the pay pool with lower level employees. May personal issue (which I would never condone a federal plan to correct) is best told in a quick story. When I was in college, I and a few students, and the professor were in a discussion about the high salaries of of football stars. I, defending them against my professor, stated that of course the players should get paid as much as they do, after all they are the headliners, they are the reasons why the league makes as much money as it does and to pay them less would be exploitation. The professor gently stated "well, they could lower the ticket prices" Suddenly I started to think, not of the freedom for athletes to get paid whatever they do, but of my own misery when shelling out $12 dollars for a hot-dog, $70 for nosebleed seats, $20 dollars for a hat, etc. I became very selfish in my take on all high compensation especially when it effects my wallet! Again, I don't think that salaries should be regulated and I fully understand that those 12 dollar hot-dogs is the price that the market will bear, and supply and demand and all that good stuff but that doesn't mean I have to like it p.s. did you hear how Brad Pitt got paid 7 million to film 3 internet commercials for Elizabeth Taylor? That couldn't be more than one days worth of work.

So we all look the same AND all our movies look the same too? : )

http://www.cato.org/multimedia/daily-podcast/be-charitable-opponents-views

I f you wanted to see a real life (and I mean as real as it can get!) example of the Atlas Shrugged looter mentality, see this comment by school union boss http://youtu.be/icHcYNGXvjU?t=27m17s

I had a dream about this and wanted to get others reactions They both result in choices, are they both the same, different? Is one better then the other? Incentives (I mean all incentives such as threats of violence, higher or lower prices, etc. My three categories is Tanks, bank, or rank) can be malicious or but also beneficial. Free will can lead to bad decisions but is also the root of freedom. What are the implications of incentivized choice? Sorry this was a part of my dream last night so its a bit of a fog and not thought out to well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I went to Kyle's link on Rebirth of reason and I began reading the comments. One statement from Post 11 caught my attention. He was talking about direct barter and said "...that maybe it could work on a limited, local commune basis like the Amish. Nothing is wrong with the Amish but I can't imagine all of America functioning as the Amish. In fact, I can't remotely imagine how one constructs anything remotely like a NYCity based on Amish sensibilities and commerce." I agree, well I dont think it would be impossible, but the probabilities of an Amish community creating a skyscraper, let alone a hundred of them, is extremely extremely low. But then I thought, without the government controlling and directing tax dollars, what are the probabilities that private industry would have sent a man to the moon? I'm certainly sure that private enterprise would have sent up satellites even if we weren't prompted by the government program that sent up Sputnik, but would it have ever sent a probe out of the solar system, or robots to Mars? The odds are fairly low but I suppose they might lay in the 10% range. But the probabilities of private enterprise creating the Large Hadron Collider? Infinitesimally small. Of course one could say that we don't need those programs, but then one could say that we don't need New York City. I guess the answer lays in the fact that NYC WAS created by private ambition and the LHC was not, period. So that would automatically mean that NYC is more important to our specific society than the LHC is. I suppose that I personally just find that to be sad. testicles that is all ....