Quoting your post...
The chapter title is “The Man Who Belonged On Earth,” an invocation of an individual yet nameless but whose identity we finally learn in this chapter
and...
...He picked up the book and let it drop into the wastebasket. …And thinks of the Man Who Belonged On Earth:...
And this Man Who Belongs, Stadler’s and Akston’s ex-student, who Stadler found himself hoping to be dead? It is John Galt, of course.
Now quoting AS...
(Stadler)"Why did he want to waste his mind on practical appliances?" (Dagny)"Perhaps because he liked living on this earth"
So I see why you think the reference is to John Galt but...
...later in the chapter Dagnys thoughts about Rearden...
Again quoting AS "...He belonged in the countryside, she thought-he belonged everywhere-he was a man who belonged on earth-..."
I hate to appear obtuse but what was Rand trying to convey? Are both of them 'The man who belonged on earth?'
Your insight into the parallel of Objectivism and the motor was intriguing. Thanks!
LOL! Sorry. That's outstanding, and you are probably right on both accounts. Well done, very well done indeed. Without getting too far ahead of the book (and boy, is that ever a temptation with this one!) I think it is Rand's thesis that those people who recognize the moral laws driving human progress belong on earth - the people of life - and those who deny their existence do not, the people of death if you like.
But I confess I missed that clear reference to Rearden. That's just nicely done. Thank you!