Ayn Rand

[Penforhire]

I enjoyed her philosophy more than her writing. I don't think there is an age-related attraction as much as if you ever get the feeling that you are surrounded by unproductive people who 'take' more than they give or create.

[Dr. Drib]

About 2 years ago, everything she wrote was available free from Sony. Many members here picked up all this free stuff. Does anyone remember that crazy time?



Don

[hidari]

Not a fan of Rand, but figure it is good to read many types of views. I read a biography on her last year and she seemed to not like kids much, moreover, she did not like being a kid when she grew up. My favorite part is how she had utter disdain for those people with negative views of her philosophy or novels.

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

Gutenberg also has Anthem.

I like Rand as speculative literature; the books have some serious problems as actual philosophies. Rand's theories about how society should work assumes that everyone is more-or-less equally competent to start with, and if they're not, that's their own fault.

The specific holes in her philosophies are obvious when trying to apply them to children, and any group of people disadvantaged by powers outside of their control. She manages to get around this gaping chasm in actual politics by just not having children in her stories, except as background features attached to minor characters. (This is apparently how she managed them in life, so that makes some sense.)

I enjoy her stories very much. I picked up several important lessons from them. I have never figured out how people got from them to, as XKCD says, "therefore, be a huge ***hole to everyone."