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Individual important in utopian world based on equality
BSU DAILY NEWS ^ | 3.25.03 | Linda Rabadi

Posted on 03/25/2003 12:25:28 PM PST by Enemy Of The State

Individual important in utopian world based on equality

by Linda Rabadi
March 25, 2003

Linda Rabadi is a senior piano major and writes ‘Talking About a Revolution’ for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.

Many groups of the political left advocate equality. We want fair treatment for individuals of all walks of life, not just those who are fortunate enough to have been born into a privileged position in our society. But when promoting this equality and striving to design a world where this can exist, we must be careful of what kind of world we create. We the idealists must be cautious of the utopia we hope to form, for in attempting to create true equality, we must not lose personal identity and achievement.

Last weekend, my friend and I were discussing some of the major themes in the work "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand. I had read the book for personal enjoyment when I was about fifteen and therefore am slightly foggy on details. However, we talked about one of the major points of the work, the supremacy of the individual and her/his achievements and if that philosophy can work with the ideals of liberal movements. Rand makes the argument that individuals propel history and change, not societies. She glorifies the individual, and looks down on society as a mindless herd, waiting to be told what to do.

I understand where many of Rand's criticisms of society originate. Many times I find myself frustrated with the public and its easy acceptance of so many issues, including the promotion of mediocre art in popular culture, the damaging and common images of minorities in the media, the hatred, competition, and exploitation of other members of humanity, disrespect for our earth, and this new fad of unquestioning patriotism, to name a few. It seems difficult, or even impossible, to advance revolutionary ideas in a place where being comfortable seems to be the ultimate goal, and in a society that is not supportive financially and structurally of creative endeavors and idealism.

But to lose faith in humanity is not the solution. This extreme individualism that Rand encourages is not only unrealistic but also unsatisfying. It would feel better to know that you a working unit in whole society that understands and appreciates positive achievement, rather than to be a member of a small group that is tortured by the ignorance of the outside world. True education works as a tool in obtaining that ideal society.

Members of liberal movements believe that we must have equality in order to gain this ideal world, and I agree. But we should have individuals working in a society, not just one mass entity. Equality does not have to lead to situations where all people are exactly the same, but where they are all valued with the same importance, and are all given the opportunity to contribute. Equality can lead to a world that allows each person to achieve their best and still have the opportunity to lean on their fellow humans for assistance when needed. Individualism does not have to lead to competition and stratification if we manage to create a world that values all positive individual achievements as significant and a positive contribution to the betterment of our society.

Write to Linda at 001srabadi@bsu.edu


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: Indiana
KEYWORDS: aynrand; liberalism; utopia; wealthdistribution
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1 posted on 03/25/2003 12:25:29 PM PST by Enemy Of The State
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To: Enemy Of The State
"Road to Serfdom" Bump.

These co-eds need to read up. Her argument died over 50 years ago.
2 posted on 03/25/2003 12:35:50 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (Wheat is Murder! (Tilling slaughters worms.....))
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To: Enemy Of The State
To bad this ignorant author has no understanding of humanity, every attempt to achieve utopia here on earth has been a catastrophe. Mankind is not perfectible and every attempt to pretend otherwise will expose those flaws and the result will be death for many of the people this idealistic little girl pretends to care about.
3 posted on 03/25/2003 12:46:04 PM PST by Libertarianize the GOP (Ideas have consequences)
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To: Enemy Of The State
This girl is confused. Sounds like she wants the best of all philosophies. She reminds me of some of the Hindus I met in India. When they asked me about my religion and I told them I was a Christian and believed in Jesus, they nodded their heads enthusiastically. Apparently the charm of Hinduism is that they can easily incorporated figures from other religions, without having a clue of the contradictions. And that's about the nature of Liberalism. They cling to every feel good idea, that they don't realize the contradictions between all their ideals. And they are so focused on solving every problem that they can't see human nature for what it is.
4 posted on 03/25/2003 12:46:18 PM PST by Sally II
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To: Enemy Of The State
"Linda Rabadi is a senior piano major and writes &#8216"
Well, at least that is truth in advertising. And we are to read this drivel from an immature, undereducated, and illogical dope because...?
5 posted on 03/25/2003 12:47:04 PM PST by Bigg Red (Defend America against her most powerful enemy -- the Democrats.)
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To: Enemy Of The State
read later
6 posted on 03/25/2003 12:48:17 PM PST by LiteKeeper
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To: Enemy Of The State
Linda, I hope you are a better pianist than essayist...
7 posted on 03/25/2003 12:49:25 PM PST by GodBlessRonaldReagan (where is Count Petofi when we need him most?)
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To: Sally II
This chick read 'The Fountainhead'...now she needs to read 'Atlas Shrugged' & figure out why these utopian societies always fail. When you reward success, people compete to be successful. When you reward need, people compete to be needy. You can't get rid of competition. This is fundamental to human nature.
8 posted on 03/25/2003 12:49:51 PM PST by Black Agnes
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To: Enemy Of The State
By the way, I posted this on a few threads already. But I don't think anyone saw it. It's video footage my fiance took at the Rally for America in Sacramento this past Saturday. If this girl has any questions about utopian ideals, I suggest she talk it over with this Vietnamese woman.

http://www.angelfire.com/80s/enhs87/sacrally3-22.html

9 posted on 03/25/2003 12:50:18 PM PST by Sally II
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To: Black Agnes
I haven't read either of Ayn's novels, but I did read her collection of essays and speeches "The New Left," which I think is now named "Return to the Primitive." Excellent work. I think it should be required reading in high schools.
10 posted on 03/25/2003 12:53:19 PM PST by Sally II
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To: Sally II
OOOO, you MUST read Atlas Shrugged. It explains why we don't have laissez faire economics now and why the left always fails to live up to its promises. She nails the corporatists who use government as leverage over their competition and the leftists who hate business just because.
11 posted on 03/25/2003 12:57:19 PM PST by Black Agnes
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To: Enemy Of The State
Why is it that when I read liberal drivel like this I always get a yucky feeling in my stomach? Am I the only one that experiences this yucky feeling?

Idealists need to get out of the stratosphere and come down to Reality. If that's possible.

Thank heaven for us realists. Lights in the darkness are we.

12 posted on 03/25/2003 12:58:56 PM PST by Luna (Evil will not triumph...God is at the helm)
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To: Bigg Red
"Well, at least that is truth in advertising. And we are to read this drivel from an immature, undereducated, and illogical dope because...?"

While I agree with tone of your statement, I don't think the problem is correctly described as "undereducated". The problem is more aptly described as indoctrinated.

Indoctrinated with humanism - the anarchistic religion of the educated elite.

13 posted on 03/25/2003 1:04:01 PM PST by delacoert
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To: Libertarianize the GOP
Mankind is not perfectible

Amen to that! That's what really defines the Liberals, their quest to perfect humanity. I've had several debates with progressives since 9-11, and those debates always turn theological. My question is always, "What in so many thousands of years of recorded human history or present reality makes you believe that humanity is evolving towards a more perfect state or 'higher consciousness'???" And you know, when I posed specific theological questions and really asked them to pin point their basic beliefs about humanity, not a single one of them was really sure about anything....!!! They don't even realize that their politics are based on a religious type of faith, because they won't identify what they believe. It's so nuts. I can't remember who said this first, but I think it's very true: "Those who believe in nothing will believe anything." But what really concerns me is that the vague belief structure that defines liberals today will evolve into something kind of scary tomorrow.... and I'm willing to bet that twenty years from now their beliefs will solidify into something that resembles the Nazi party. Actually, they're already starting to sound like Nazis. They have socialism and a growing hatred of Jews/Israel in common. And actually, theologically, Progressives have the same roots as Nazis. The Nazis were heavily influenced by Theosophy, which was based on Eastern religion.... and has anyone know a Leftist that isn't a little fascinated with Buddhism or Yoga?

14 posted on 03/25/2003 1:16:12 PM PST by Sally II
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To: Sally II
I have noticed the same thing.
15 posted on 03/25/2003 1:55:39 PM PST by Libertarianize the GOP (Ideas have consequences)
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To: Sally II; Black Agnes
<< I haven't read either of Ayn's novels .... >>

PLEASE get hold of them and read them! They are beautiful -- and timeless and inspire hope that all is well with US!

And then read all of her other works, too!

best ones -- Brian
16 posted on 03/25/2003 2:34:49 PM PST by Brian Allen (I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny ....)
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To: Black Agnes; Sally II
you MUST read Atlas Shrugged

Read Fountainhead first. It is oriented toward the individual. Then read Atlas Shrugged, which is oriented more toward the interaction of group versus individual forces in society.

17 posted on 03/25/2003 2:40:25 PM PST by RightWhale (Theorems link concepts: Proofs establish links)
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To: RightWhale
Oops, I read Atlas Shrugged first. Do I lose? *lol*
18 posted on 03/25/2003 3:02:26 PM PST by Black Agnes
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To: Black Agnes
I read Atlas Shrugged first

Fountainhead is an introductory novel leading to the main novel. But, it's not a complete loss if the order is reversed. Fountainhead is a more difficult book and needs to be read at an impressionable age. I was thinking that Atlas Shrugged is twice as long as Fountainhead and should be read later when one is more used to devouring hugh scoops of text, and when one already knows the motivations of the primary characters. Reading Fountainhead second could be considered a top-down approach that has some benefits of its own. All the same, reading each every year or two for a few years could also help some of the concepts seep in to a functional level.

19 posted on 03/25/2003 3:17:46 PM PST by RightWhale (Theorems link concepts: Proofs establish links)
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To: Enemy Of The State
hmmm.....seems she wants the best of both worlds and wisely fears the group dynamic. Some on the left may be waking up to the fact that giving power to the state is not a good idea.
20 posted on 03/25/2003 3:20:22 PM PST by amused (Republicans for Sharpton!)
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