Ayn Rand and America’s New Culture War

Christian Science Monitor ^ | December 11, 2009 | Jennifer Burns

[nickcarraway]

From Rush Limbaugh to President Obama, Ayn Rand and her book 'Atlas Shrugged' are recalibrating America.

From Fox News to the passenger sitting next to you reading “Atlas Shrugged” on your commute to work, Ayn Rand seems to be everywhere.

Since the economic collapse of 2008, the controversial novelist and philosopher has emerged as a leading intellectual on the right – and she’s been dead for nearly 30 years.

Rush Limbaugh touts Rand as a prophet of sorts. “Ayn Rand, she wrote ‘Atlas Shrugged,’ ” he told his listeners. “The sequel, ‘Atlas Puked,’ we’re in the middle of it.” At the tea parties that swept the nation last spring, protesters waved signs claiming “Ayn Rand was right” and warning “Read ‘Atlas Shrugged’ before it happens.”

The fresh appeal of 'Atlas Shrugged'

Consider this: “Atlas Shrugged,” Rand’s most famous novel, is set in a dystopian future America, where a socialist government has brought the country to the brink of ruin. Fleeing punitive regulations and crushing taxation, the country’s top industrialists and executives have gone on strike, virtually shutting down the economy.

For American conservatives, the significance of Rand’s message is clear. “Atlas Shrugged” is prophetic, they say, and it warns us all of the coming collapse.

It wasn’t always so. In her day, leading conservatives denounced Rand for her atheism and immorality, and her economic ideas were scarcely mentioned.

Conservative author Whittaker Chambers attacked Rand as a godless authoritarian in his famously brutal review of “Atlas Shrugged,” printed in an early issue of William F. Buckley’s seminal conservative magazine, National Review. The book’s message, according to Chambers, was “to a gas chamber – go!” Anti-ERA crusader Phyllis Schlafly stopped reading Rand’s other novel,

[Misterioso]

http://tinyurl.com/yz8nyvg

[Publius]

Good article!

[jonno]

Hank - I would very much like to be copied on your expanded critique of Piper’s essay.

Thanks!

[higgmeister]

Anthem

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[BradyLS]

I suspicion that a lot of what doomed her personal life to failure was that, inward, she perceived herself a tall, stunning, blond heroine - i.e. a Dagney - but the mirror reflected a short, dumpy, not attractive, dark haired woman. She was Dagney trapped in an alien body.

I think that's true for the most part. But more importantly, she saw what could be accomplished when a person with dreams and goals puts serious, dedicated effort into their passions and pursuits.

Rand was, for much her life, physically as you describe her. Yet she managed to work as an extra in Hollywood films, wrote a couple screenplays; married a minor Hollywood star in Frank O'Connor; wrote a couple bestselling novels and several widely influential manifestos and treatises on her philosophy; and surrounded herself with educated and erudite people. It's no small feat that a "disciple" like Alan Greenspan was able to hold a long tenure at the Federal Reserve.

If she limited herself to the dumpy, unattractive woman with the thick Russian accent she saw in the mirror, or allowed others to convince her that her looks were all she were...Well, would we ever imagine to have even heard of such a person?

[Hank Kerchief]

“I would very much like to be copied on your expanded critique of Piper’s essay.”

Shall do!

Hank

[maine-iac7]

more importantly, she saw what could be accomplished when a person with dreams and goals puts serious, dedicated effort into their passions and pursuits.

In a nutshell.

And this is the 'selfishness' that builds a free society that ALL are the beneficiaries of.

As a writer/artist, her book - first "Fountainhead" and then "Atlas" resonated LOUD.

As a writer/artist, I can only do my best work, fulfill my best potential, if left unfettered. I long ago stopped commission work - I am, primarily, a portrait artist - because people don't want portraits so much as plastic surgury via the paint brush...

I certainly would never make it in a world where I was told my talents belonged to the state 'for the good of...'. A fettered mind produces little of worth. Who, then, profits?

When people are free to use their talents according to their own 'inspirations' their best work is produced and 'society' benefits in the outcome as a byproduct - not because the creator gave a thought to them.

[maine-iac7]

more importantly, she saw what could be accomplished when a person with dreams and goals puts serious, dedicated effort into their passions and pursuits.

In a nutshell.

And this is the 'selfishness' that builds a free society that ALL are the beneficiaries of.

As a writer/artist, her books - first "Fountainhead" and then "Atlas" resonated LOUD.

As a writer/artist, I can only do my best work, fulfill my best potential, if left unfettered. I long ago stopped commission work - I am, primarily, a portrait artist - because people don't want portraits so much as plastic surgery via the paint brush...

I certainly would never make it in a world where I was told my talents belonged to the state 'for the good of...'. A fettered mind produces little of worth. Who, then, profits?

When people are free to use their talents according to their own 'inspirations' their best work is produced and 'society' benefits in the outcome as a byproduct - not because the creator gave a thought to them.

And for my writing, I gave up most of it but my column - 20 years - because the editor couldn't change a comma.

[tarawa]

I liked that one. Thanks for the link.