Atlas Shrugged discussion

I started reading it because some of my colleges were talking about how great it is. Now after over a half of the book I realized, they never read/understood it and they are one of the wide group described as looters. It seems like the book is very popular among looters. It seems also to be very popular among several right wing groups who think, Rand describes how socialism works.

Now my theory is: not even half of the people who say they read it, did that or got past all the Soap opera, bad writing and endless and repetitive monologues.

I tried to talk about events towards the end and mid of the book. I did not find one of those fans who "could remember".

I guess it's like with a picture. It's great art. Some people said it so, others paid much money because of it, so it must be good.

I read it, it was good. I understand her philosophy, but think that it oversimplifies things quite a bit. I think you have to understand that she used hyperbole to get her point across. Rand came from a socialist country that suffered somewhat similarly as the America in the book. I was also struck by the justification for cheating and relationships. It is both jarring and appealing. It makes sense but it attempts to rationalize the heart which isn't really realistic, but it does fit in with the philosophy of being selfish is beneficial to yourself and society.

I have more liberal minded friends that say they have read the book but then state that they didn't like the book because of the philosophy. While hyperbole, the fact that these people can't see the flaws or concerns of the socialist philosophy in the book is kind of scary.

My biggest criticism of the book is how redundant it is. I understood the philosophy as it was presented and the motor company example was entertaining, but I didn't need the philosophy hammered home another 250 times and then again in a 3 hour speech. I kept thinking, "okay, I get it."

Overall it was a pretty amazing book, especially when the authors background is taken into account. I don't think it necessarily ages well, but it is still very good.