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Posted

Hello everyone. I found Objectivist Living about 6 months back and have been visiting pretty regularly, so I figured I'd start commenting. I read Atlas Shrugged late in high school went on to read all of Rand's novels, short stories and most of her essays. I attended quite a few lectures during that time, I think they were all Lyceum International back then. I'm no longer an objectivist but am still fascinated by Ayn Rand, and still very interested in her philosophy as well as philosophy in general. I've been very impressed by the level of discussion here. So hello and I'm looking forward to joining the conversation.

Kelly

Posted

Hi Kelly,

First of all, and most importantly, please don't tell me you prefer Futurama over South Park!

Why are you "no longer an objectivist"? That implies that you were an objectivist, but something pushed you over the edge. What was it?

Mike

Posted

Mike,

I do indeed prefer Futurama to South Park. Once I saw the Robot Devil and the Hypno-toad I was hooked. And while I love Butters and the Underwear Gnomes, I find Futurama a bit more sophisticated.

As to why I'm a former objectivist, I just ran into enough things that I couldn’t make fit. I think that over the years I became a bit too invested in defending objectivism or trying to filter all my experiences through objectivism where other explanations would have worked as well or better. I had always been somewhat uncomfortable with aspects of Objectivism (things like family ,psychology and emotions) as I became older those things just amplified. And run ins with overzealous or dogmatic objectivists never help. As I was reading more criticisms of Objectivism, I uh, got a little angry and turned on it a bit. But as the dust settled for me, I still find that I'm interested in Rand and Objectivism and I'm still quite influenced by her ideas. When I remember how uplifting and how excited I was when I read the Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged I can’t help but lament that I didn’t end up finding the same thing in Objectivism.

Kelly

Posted

Mike,

I do indeed prefer Futurama to South Park. Once I saw the Robot Devil and the Hypno-toad I was hooked. And while I love Butters and the Underwear Gnomes, I find Futurama a bit more sophisticated.

As to why I'm a former objectivist, I just ran into enough things that I couldn’t make fit. I think that over the years I became a bit too invested in defending objectivism or trying to filter all my experiences through objectivism where other explanations would have worked as well or better. I had always been somewhat uncomfortable with aspects of Objectivism (things like family ,psychology and emotions) as I became older those things just amplified. And run ins with overzealous or dogmatic objectivists never help. As I was reading more criticisms of Objectivism, I uh, got a little angry and turned on it a bit. But as the dust settled for me, I still find that I'm interested in Rand and Objectivism and I'm still quite influenced by her ideas. When I remember how uplifting and how excited I was when I read the Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged I can’t help but lament that I didn’t end up finding the same thing in Objectivism.

Kelly

Kelly

The fact that you mentioned the Underpants Gnomes is more than enough to keep me happy.

Dogmatic objectivists bug the crap out of me. Taking Rand's ideas on faith is like smacking her in the face. If you're not figuring it out for yourself, then it's not objectivism that you're practicing.

If you're looking for something uplifting like Atlas Shrugged, I would suggest Requiem for Man, the last chapter in Capitalism: the Unknown Ideal. It's got some dreary parts (in similar manner to AS, when the villains communicate), but several sections are very inspirational.

Mike

Posted

If you're looking for something uplifting like Atlas Shrugged, I would suggest Requiem for Man, the last chapter in Capitalism: the Unknown Ideal. It's got some dreary parts (in similar manner to AS, when the villains communicate), but several sections are very inspirational.

Mike

Thanks Mike.

I read that years ago, but I can't remember it. Maybe it's time for a refresher.

Kelly

Posted

Hello everyone. I found Objectivist Living about 6 months back and have been visiting pretty regularly, so I figured I'd start commenting. I read Atlas Shrugged late in high school went on to read all of Rand's novels, short stories and most of her essays. I attended quite a few lectures during that time, I think they were all Lyceum International back then. I'm no longer an objectivist but am still fascinated by Ayn Rand, and still very interested in her philosophy as well as philosophy in general. I've been very impressed by the level of discussion here. So hello and I'm looking forward to joining the conversation.

Kelly

What are you now?

--Brant

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