A Controversy: Objectivism

I read this book for the first time in Europe when I was 18, the French countryside whisking by as I drank wine and thought about my adventures. This book opened my eyes as much as exploring other cultures; now, on to the book review. Let me say thank you, Vocal, for this community.

There is so much controversy around "Atlas Shrugged" and Objectivism. Many people seem to believe this ideology promotes being selfish, and whenever I hear that, I automatically know they have never read a single Ayn Rand book. Therefore, they needed help understanding how complex the ideology is. Luckily for you, I am obsessed and more than happy to talk about it forever and always. Let's start at the beginning.

Ayn Rand is from Soviet Russia, which governed her outlook on life. She is pro-capitalized, as in the opposite of communism. You may balk at this idea, being that capitalism has received a bad rap as of late; however, to a woman from Soviet Russia, it is the ultimate prize of sovereignty. We should consider ourselves lucky that we get to be upset at capitalism. To Ayn Rand, capitalism is not only freedom but the ability and privilege to create our future using our brains. Now this concept in the book "Atlas Shrugged" is explored through the characters. The characters often refer to those who use the brains of the world as looters. This contrast between those who do and those who use it is the story's main point. Objectivism is explored in the book and highlights the themes; however, the basic idea behind Objectivism is that we exist. Since we live, we must find our way in the world and find an identity. One of my favorite quotes from the book "I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."

The story itself follows the protagonists Dagny Taggart and Hank Rearden. There is a mysterious disappearance of many business owners worldwide, and the people are on the verge of revolt. The government works double time to prevent an uprising by shackling businesses using the law. The protagonists are busy building a new railroad to take over the old railroads that have gone to crap due to poor management. The food systems are facing a downfall due to the break in the chain. This is the most basic way of explaining. However, the book is one thousand pages long.

This book is broken into three parts, each as great as the next. This book explores themes of self-interest, personal responsibility, and greed. Self-interest ensures you stay true to your word and follow your promises. Many mistakes these as being interchangeable, but selfishness doesn't make for a good character. Let me give you an example of self-interest versus selfishness. In the book, Dagny requires a new rail line to be laid down, and she is taking a chance on Hank Rearden's new metal alloy called "Rearden Steel" because her original steel wasn't being delivered on time. When Dagny is building this new railroad, she runs into hiccups, and Hank Rearden is there to help fix them in any way possible. Why? He needs the railroad to work and prove to everyone that it is better than steel so he can sell more. Therefore it's in his self-interest to make sure Dagny is successful. If Hank Rearden was selfish, he would have gouged her for her money and left her high and dry. I love Hank Rearden.

Dagny was a woman ahead of her time. This feminist icon was not only a company's CFO, but she had the brains and the beauty. She was uninhibited in sexual conquests but didn't allow men to sideline or drive her from her goals. She never backed down from a fight; more than anything, she had spunk and was fierce. Dagny is a woman that all protagonists wish they were. Okay, sideline comments over.

There are also the themes of greed in the book, and my favorite excerpt (Francisco is an antagonist for most of the book):

"So you think money is the root of all evil?" said Francisco d'Anconia. "Have you ever asked what is the root of money? Money is a tool of exchange, which can't exist unless goods are produced, and men can produce them. Money is the material shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must deal by trade and give value for value. Money is not the tool of the moochers who claim your product by tears or the looters who take it from you by force. Money is made possible only by the men who produce. Is this what you consider evil?"

Nothing will if this doesn't at least make you stop and think more about the exchange of money.

Ultimately, this book is an excellent read with twists and turns and social commentary. If you want to question your reality and expand your mind, you want to read this book.