“Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.” Ayn Rand
When I was in high school (roughly during the empirical rein of Tiberius Claudius) the novel “Atlas Shrugged” was required reading. Now, for those who haven’t read it, “Atlas Shrugged” is a large book. Think “War and Peace” and start adding some chapters. It was also one of the most radical books of it’s time, thus boring for a typical teenager. Think someone with ADD sitting through an Al Gore speech and you’ll kind of get the picture.
Therefore, when book report time came I did the only sensible thing, bought the Cliff Notes, wrote some garbage, took my C minus and went to baseball practice.
Now though, like so many things in life, I’ve discovered what the entire hubbub was about. Thanks to iPods and a great site called Audible I’m listening to “AS” and coming to these conclusions:
One, I was not a classic underachieving loser in high school…well, I was, but not because of this. This book has no place with normal kids. It’s way too political for all but the gifted, advanced or mental.
Two, it’s still topical. Although the business example of railroads is outdated its message is as on track now as it was when published in 1957.
Three, if any presidential candidate was to – god forbid – ask me for their vote I would ask them this: “Have you read ‘Atlas Shrugged’? If the answer was “No” I’d tell them to read it and get back to me. If the answer was “Yes” I’d want to know their opinion of it. How they answered would tell me a lot.
“AS” is an opus written by Russian-born American Ayn Rand. Ms. Rand developed a philosophy called “Objectivism” which as the name suggests involves some pretty deep thinking. However, the essence of “AS” is simple. There are those who create wealth (and the capital, jobs, progress, philanthropy, and dynamics) that come with it, and those who plunder all those things from those who create it.
A buddy of mine tells me “AS” is a favorite of Alan Greenspan. Given his unabashed love of capitalism I’m not surprised.
The essential business lesson is this: The first rule of business is to stay in business. If you do not make a profit you cannot stay in business. If you do not stay in business you cannot generate capital, which would generates jobs, which would stimulate progress which would allow the giving spirit of philanthropy, thus creating no dynamics of any sort. And that, my friends, would be a sad world.
I’m growing rather tired of the apologist that today’s culture is cultivating. Set out to work hard, work hard to be successful, measure your success by building wealth and use the wealth to make things better, starting with you, your family and your company. It’s OK, really.
When I was in high school (roughly during the empirical rein of Tiberius Claudius) the novel “Atlas Shrugged” was required reading. Now, for those who haven’t read it, “Atlas Shrugged” is a large book. Think “War and Peace” and start adding some chapters. It was also one of the most radical books of it’s time, thus boring for a typical teenager. Think someone with ADD sitting through an Al Gore speech and you’ll kind of get the picture.
Therefore, when book report time came I did the only sensible thing, bought the Cliff Notes, wrote some garbage, took my C minus and went to baseball practice.
Now though, like so many things in life, I’ve discovered what the entire hubbub was about. Thanks to iPods and a great site called Audible I’m listening to “AS” and coming to these conclusions:
One, I was not a classic underachieving loser in high school…well, I was, but not because of this. This book has no place with normal kids. It’s way too political for all but the gifted, advanced or mental.
Two, it’s still topical. Although the business example of railroads is outdated its message is as on track now as it was when published in 1957.
Three, if any presidential candidate was to – god forbid – ask me for their vote I would ask them this: “Have you read ‘Atlas Shrugged’? If the answer was “No” I’d tell them to read it and get back to me. If the answer was “Yes” I’d want to know their opinion of it. How they answered would tell me a lot.
“AS” is an opus written by Russian-born American Ayn Rand. Ms. Rand developed a philosophy called “Objectivism” which as the name suggests involves some pretty deep thinking. However, the essence of “AS” is simple. There are those who create wealth (and the capital, jobs, progress, philanthropy, and dynamics) that come with it, and those who plunder all those things from those who create it.
A buddy of mine tells me “AS” is a favorite of Alan Greenspan. Given his unabashed love of capitalism I’m not surprised.
The essential business lesson is this: The first rule of business is to stay in business. If you do not make a profit you cannot stay in business. If you do not stay in business you cannot generate capital, which would generates jobs, which would stimulate progress which would allow the giving spirit of philanthropy, thus creating no dynamics of any sort. And that, my friends, would be a sad world.
I’m growing rather tired of the apologist that today’s culture is cultivating. Set out to work hard, work hard to be successful, measure your success by building wealth and use the wealth to make things better, starting with you, your family and your company. It’s OK, really.
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