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Atlas Shrugged A book I revisit every few years. It's taught me to be honest with myself even if the social norms aren't in alignment with I'm doing. It's als

by f1gm3nt 10y ago

Atlas Shrugged A book I revisit every few years. It's taught me to be honest with myself even if the social norms aren't in alignment with I'm doing. It's also gave me a deeper understanding of my fellow man and why some are fine with handouts from others. It's also where I learned the $ symbol is made from the U and S from United States.

rexpop 10y ago
It more likely comes from a handwritten 'ps', an abbreviation for 'peso' in old Spanish-American books.
- f1gm3nt 10y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_sign#Origin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_sign#Origin You can also see http://www.shmoop.com/atlas-shrugged/dollar-signs-symbol.html http://www.shmoop.com/atlas-shrugged/dollar-signs-symbol.htm... which discuesses this. "The dollar sign? [It stands] for a great deal. It stands on the vest of every fat, piglike figure in every cartoon, for the purpose of denoting a crook.... It stands – as the money of a free country – for achievement, for success, for ability, for man's creative power – and, precisely for these reasons, it is used as a brand of infamy....It stands for the United States."
johngalt 10y ago
It showcases some interesting dynamics regarding businesses becoming involved with politics and power. It's a good walk through of how "we just want the government to make companies give their fair share" can easily turn into something darker. I certainly wouldn't promote objectivist an-cap policy writ large, but there are truthful elements in both Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. I specifically like how Ayn Rand draws a link between collectivism and racism, which was truthful in the era she was writing in. A rare perspective.
- LyndsySimon 10y ago
  > objectivist an-cap policy Objectivism and Anarcho-Capitalism are distinctly different, though they share much. Objectivism accepts that a government is necessary, and places in it the legitimate use of force. Anarcho-Capitalism holds that government is not necessary, and that no individual or organization may legitimately initiate force against another.
tonyedgecombe 10y ago
"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers
LyndsySimon 10y ago
IMO The Fountainhead is a much better novel, while still adequately conveying her worldview. > It's taught me to be honest with myself even if the social norms aren't in alignment with I'm doing. Especially this.

by f1gm3nt 10y ago

rexpop 10y ago

It more likely comes from a handwritten 'ps', an abbreviation for 'peso' in old Spanish-American books.

f1gm3nt 10y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_sign#Origin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_sign#Origin You can also see http://www.shmoop.com/atlas-shrugged/dollar-signs-symbol.html http://www.shmoop.com/atlas-shrugged/dollar-signs-symbol.htm... which discuesses this. "The dollar sign? [It stands] for a great deal. It stands on the vest of every fat, piglike figure in every cartoon, for the purpose of denoting a crook.... It stands – as the money of a free country – for achievement, for success, for ability, for man's creative power – and, precisely for these reasons, it is used as a brand of infamy....It stands for the United States."

johngalt 10y ago

It showcases some interesting dynamics regarding businesses becoming involved with politics and power. It's a good walk through of how "we just want the government to make companies give their fair share" can easily turn into something darker. I certainly wouldn't promote objectivist an-cap policy writ large, but there are truthful elements in both Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. I specifically like how Ayn Rand draws a link between collectivism and racism, which was truthful in the era she was writing in. A rare perspective.

LyndsySimon 10y ago
> objectivist an-cap policy Objectivism and Anarcho-Capitalism are distinctly different, though they share much. Objectivism accepts that a government is necessary, and places in it the legitimate use of force. Anarcho-Capitalism holds that government is not necessary, and that no individual or organization may legitimately initiate force against another.

tonyedgecombe 10y ago

"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers

LyndsySimon 10y ago

IMO The Fountainhead is a much better novel, while still adequately conveying her worldview. > It's taught me to be honest with myself even if the social norms aren't in alignment with I'm doing. Especially this.