Fear and Loathing

[wlotus]

I am reading Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand, and the book is stirring anger and fear in me. I am about 1/4 through the book, and there is an overwhelming theme of mediocrity being rewarded, while those who do not walk in lockstep are pushed down until they surrender. When the person who is shining brighter than the rest does not quietly accept pleas from friends to step back, people in authority step in to create rules to force them to submit. The rules are created in back rooms and under tables, and the jealousy and hatred that fueled their creation are whitewashed...in this case with empty words about social responsibility and the need to even the playing field so everyone can achieve. Furthermore, those who do not fall in line are told they are selfish and wrong to fight the power.

Not only does this remind me of current political events in this country, it reminds me of some of my experiences in corporate America. I know it is just a book, but it is pushing all sorts of buttons.

Comments

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

Be careful...Rand was actually advocating for a philosophy in which the "true makers", the really good people, just do for themselves, and screw everybody else, I've got mine!

Rand's philosophy is a favorite of the Republican elite.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't go that far in my own thinking (throwing others under the bus, so to speak ::ahem::). But I resent the idea of petty jealousy and hatred being covered up with big words about social responsibility and other politically correct phrases, so folks can push through their personal vendettas in the name of "justice/righteousness". That's what pushing the buttons for me.

[verucas-chaos.livejournal.com]

I agree with your thoughts here. Big words or politically correct words that cover up bigotry, hatred, etc. seem to be the norm...especially as it relates to the recent political "turn."

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

MMh, well, nobody likes that. It seems to me that Rand made the mistake of thinking like this:

Many people who act out of petty jealousy and hatred cover it up with big words about social responsibility and justice.

Many people do act out of petty jealousy and hatred.

Therefor, social responsibility and justice don't exist.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Based on my recent experiences in Corporate America, that final conclusion seems almost accurate.

Almost. I have to believe there are still just people out there, or my mind will take me to dark places I would rather not revisit. Besides, when I am optimistic, I feel better. :-)

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

In my experience, Corporate America is much like the Bush White House: carefully devoted to insulating the decision makers from the consequences of their actions by allowing them to pretend reality does not exist.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

The book's premise seems to be a bit more complex than that. Galt and his peers/followers--I am not yet sure which to call them--believe the unification of all things to allow those who do not want to work so hard is bad for society at large, so the true makers, as you called them, withdrew. But they intended to return to society when their skills would be appreciated. While they withdrew, they worked to benefit themselves...but in a way that benefitted their small community, not just each individual. The "screw you" part came from being expected to carry those who not only did not appreciate their hard work, but who felt entitled to the results of it, in spite of having done nothing to earn it. I don't understand what of that is bad.