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The Shrugging Out Podcast--Discussion of Atlas Shrugged, the novel, part 1
myself ^
| 1957
| Ayn Rand
Posted on 01/07/2011 1:34:43 PM PST by Packer Pete
Having done nearly fifty shows on the premise of "shrugging out"--and how you should do as much of the "Atlas Shrugged" thing as you can, and be prepared in the modern survivalist sense to 'bug out" of Dodge, wherever your Dodge is--I've decided to do a series of shows on Ayn Rand's epic novel.
This isn't a book report, or something you've already endured in that English class you loathed (or perhaps enjoyed). My goal is to try to understand the struggle between individualism and collectivism with the help of the richness and clarity that Ayn Rand set forth in her magnum opus.
The novel is immense (1,200 pages) and structured in three Parts. Since I want to cover the people and the key moments where the looters and moochers clash with the producers, this project will take at least three shows. There are many stirring and some positively delicious passages, in addition to the timeless lessons on economics and human nature. I have to be selective about it, but there are many things for us all to savor even in the abbreviated format of a podcast.
If you have read and enjoyed Atlas Shrugged in the past, you might want to carve out some time to re-read it. There is always something new to learn, and of course the deep satisfaction of the demise of the collectivists and the transcendence of the individualists is an experience you'll never outgrow. (Imagine what it will be like someday experiencing it for real!)
If you've never read the book, I hope this series whets your appetite. Fair warning: I crash obliviously through any "plot spoilers" that may have existed in the novel when it was first released in 1957. Most people know the general story line today, but if you want to keep yourself in total suspense, set this show off to the side until you have read Part 1, Non-Contradiction.
And one last comment--I am sure that any academic scholars of Atlas Shrugged will find plenty to chuckle about when it comes to my analysis. Their comments are welcome, of course, but if anyone starts rattling off how I am "trapped in the Hegelian dialectic" and stuff like that it will whiz clean over my head, leaving nary a mark. Ignorance can be bliss in some matters. If I do reply, it will probably be to ask the status of your food security preps, in case they are, um, academic. Ignorance in that area may NOT be bliss.
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Society
KEYWORDS: atlasshrugged; aynrand; individualism; shruggingout
To: Packer Pete
Engaging in a public discussion of Atlas shrugged is probably enough to get you put on Napolitano’s watch list.
2
posted on
01/07/2011 1:45:28 PM PST
by
saganite
(What happens to taglines? Is there a termination date?)
To: Packer Pete
I’m currently on page 720 (don’t ruin the ending for me).
Ayn Rand was prophetic!
3
posted on
01/07/2011 2:14:26 PM PST
by
killermosquito
(Buffalo (and eventually France) is what you get when liberalism runs its course.)
To: Packer Pete; Publius
FReeper Book Club: Introduction to Atlas ShruggedPart I, Chapter I: The ThemePart I, Chapter II: The ChainPart I, Chapter III: The Top and the BottomPart I, Chapter IV: The Immovable MoversPart I, Chapter V: The Climax of the dAnconiasPart I, Chapter VI: The Non-CommercialPart I, Chapter VII: The Exploiters and the ExploitedPart I, Chapter VIII: The John Galt LinePart I, Chapter IX: The Sacred and the ProfanePart I, Chapter X: Wyatts TorchPart II, Chapter I: The Man Who Belonged on EarthPart II, Chapter II: The Aristocracy of PullPart II, Chapter III: White BlackmailPart II, Chapter IV: The Sanction of the VictimPart II, Chapter V: Account OverdrawnPart II, Chapter VI: Miracle MetalPart II, Chapter VII: The Moratorium on BrainsPart II, Chapter VIII: By Our LovePart II, Chapter IX: The Face Without Pain or Fear or GuiltPart II, Chapter X: The Sign of the DollarPart III, Chapter I: AtlantisPart III, Chapter II: The Utopia of GreedPart III, Chapter III: Anti-GreedPart III, Chapter IV: Anti-LifePart III, Chapter V: Their Brothers KeepersPart III, Chapter VI: The Concerto of DeliverancePart III, Chapter VII: This is John Galt SpeakingPart III, Chapter VIII: The EgoistPart III, Chapter IX: The GeneratorPart III, Chapter X: In the Name of the Best Within UsCoda: Ten Years AfterAfterword and Suggested Reading
4
posted on
01/07/2011 2:19:04 PM PST
by
MarineBrat
(Better dead than red!)
To: MarineBrat
Thank you for posting the links. I was out running errands when this came up.
5
posted on
01/07/2011 2:32:29 PM PST
by
Publius
(No taxation without respiration.)
To: Packer Pete
A much as I enjoyed Ayn Rand's novels, especially
Atlas,
Anthem, and most especially the
Fountainhead which had a personal profound effect on me at a strategic cross-roads in my professional career, it was Ayn Rand's non-fiction that I enjoy reading the most.
|
Click image to launch: "Ayn Rand - Individual Rights" (9:26 video) |
6
posted on
01/07/2011 2:37:05 PM PST
by
steelyourfaith
(ObamaCare Death Panels: a Final Solution to the looming Social Security crisis ?)
To: Packer Pete
Any discussion of Atlas Shrugged which does not cover how boring it can be, nor how cardboard the characters and unrealistic their behavior is - is dishonest.
Rand had the same talent level as Hubbard.
7
posted on
01/07/2011 2:51:13 PM PST
by
MrEdd
(Heck? Geewhiz Cripes, thats the place where people who don't believe in Gosh think they aint going.8)
To: Publius
Publius, your synopsis and analysis are awesome! (Maybe that’s synopses and analyses...)
8
posted on
01/08/2011 4:54:26 AM PST
by
Packer Pete
(Shrugging Out: "Where Atlas Shrugged meets Modern Survivalism")
To: saganite
Which Napolitano? Judge or Big Sis?
9
posted on
01/08/2011 4:55:26 AM PST
by
Packer Pete
(Shrugging Out: "Where Atlas Shrugged meets Modern Survivalism")
To: Packer Pete
The Judge is on my (to) watch list. Readers of Ayn Rand are on Big Sis’ watch list. Hope that helps.
10
posted on
01/08/2011 6:06:16 AM PST
by
saganite
(What happens to taglines? Is there a termination date?)
To: saganite
I should have used the ;-) in my reply, Saganite.
11
posted on
01/08/2011 6:50:05 AM PST
by
Packer Pete
(Shrugging Out: "Where Atlas Shrugged meets Modern Survivalism")
To: Packer Pete
No problem. I can be pretty dense. Didn’t see the obvious (now) humor in your post.
12
posted on
01/08/2011 8:58:24 AM PST
by
saganite
(What happens to taglines? Is there a termination date?)
To: Packer Pete
The contents of that first FReeper Book Club was condensed and edited into A Navigational Tool for Atlas Shrugged. Our agent in New York is shopping it around to various publishers.
13
posted on
01/08/2011 12:13:37 PM PST
by
Publius
(No taxation without respiration.)
To: saganite
No, no, no, actually my response was dense in retrospect without the smiley. But all is well.
BTW, in all light humor, is your tagname a reference to Carl Sagan or a phonetic version of “Say goodnight?” (An interesting ambiguity similar to the “Judge vs. Big Sis” thing.)
14
posted on
01/08/2011 7:10:15 PM PST
by
Packer Pete
(Shrugging Out: "Where Atlas Shrugged meets Modern Survivalism")
To: Publius
Publius, you certainly don’t need me to tell you that it’s outstanding, but having read about a dozen more of your chapter analyses with study questions, I think your navigational guide is brilliantly conceived and crafted.
15
posted on
01/08/2011 7:19:44 PM PST
by
Packer Pete
(Shrugging Out: "Where Atlas Shrugged meets Modern Survivalism")
To: Packer Pete
If you scroll down each thread in that series, you’ll see some fine commentary from Billthedrill. That is what prompted him and me to turn the whole project into a book.
16
posted on
01/08/2011 9:42:24 PM PST
by
Publius
(No taxation without respiration.)
To: Packer Pete
It’s a reference to Carl but you’re not the first to notice the similarity to Say good night.
17
posted on
01/09/2011 12:56:59 AM PST
by
saganite
(What happens to taglines? Is there a termination date?)
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