THAT is the question which begs no answer, four words which require a lifetime of trial and tribulation and a torturous trek through the thoughts of Ayn Rand's objective observations to catch a glimmer of understanding. I am currently scrambling to draft an essay to submit to the Ayn Rand Institute concerning this subject, the underlying theme of every and anything Atlas Shrugged under before he too gave up the ghost, abandoned his post, and, upon realizing that his life was to be lived by him and only himself, vanished from the sickening society of looters and moochers to live his life as a free man and not as society's whipping boy. The deadline is this friday and I am desperate to collect any and all opinions you, the denizens of this fine forum, may be able to contribute. I am interested in hearing any and all of your opinions on Ayn Rand and Objectivism-positive and negative and so-so and anything else are all appreciated. I am not biased one way or another; I am desperate for opinions of others on the subject and would appreciate your own input on this subject.
Another prompt I am debating tackling is
'At his trial, Hank Rearden declares: “The public good be damned, I will have no part of it!” What does he mean? How does this issue relate to the novel’s theme?' As with the previous one, I would like to hear your opinions on the relation of the individual to society, and the 'debt' one owes to his 'brothers'. Do we owe anything to others? Do we owe our lives to some nonexistent public good? What is the point of caring about the public good? What is the public good? Again, any and all opinions and beliefs concerning this aspect of objectivism and rational self interest would be appreciated beyond any and all words.
As of this time being, I am frantically, fanatically drafting up the document-I was not aware of this competition until two weeks ago and finished reading the book yesterday. Time is of the essence and not a mere moment can be sent to the scrap heap. I thank you all for taking the time to give me more ideas to draw on and help expand my mind in the right directions.
Selah,
-God
'"ALAS,"said the mouse, "the world is growing smaller every day. At the
beginning it was so big that I was afraid, I kept running and running, and I was glad
when at last I saw walls far away to the right and left, but these long walls have
narrowed so quickly that I am in the last chamber already, and there in the corner
stands the trap that I must run into." "You only need to change your direction," said
the cat, and ate it up.' --Franz Kafka