Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Objectivist Conference 2010
The Objectivist Conference 2010 will be held in Las vegas, Nevada from July 2-10. There will be presentations by Objectivist scholars, and Leonard Peikoff will present “The DIM Hypothesis”, .It is a six-part sequel to the lectures Leonard Peikoff delivered in 2007.DIM hypothesis deals with three approaches to integration in human thought—disintegration, integration, and misintegration. There will be eleven general session lectures, sixteen optional courses and other activities and events. There will be courses in Politics(Yaron Brook's “Defending Capitalism”), Writing (“Writing Objectively” by Keith Lockitch), History (“Reformation and Religious Wars” by Andrew Lewis) and Poetry(“Making Poetry Part of Your Life” by Lisa VanDamme). The general sessions also include "The Inductive Method" by David Harriman, "The Hoover Dam" by Talbot Manvel and "Intellectual Property Rights" by Adam Mossoff. Robert Mayhew and Brian P Simpson are among the scholars holding optional sessions. There will also be a question and answer session to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Ayn Rand Institute by Michael S Berliner and Yaron Brook.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Divide And Rule
The Indian Government has decided to include caste in the next census. The Yadav leaders Mulayam Singh, Lalu Prasad and Sharad were pushing for it for some time by now. The finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said last day that the decision was made to include caste information in the next census. "Yes, we will include it (caste) in this census.” he said. A column on OBC’s will be included in the census. There are already columns for SCs and STs. The Government argument is that such data is required for welfare policies for OBCs- “to make proportional financial allocations”. “Caste is still a reality”, says the proponents of such policies. Welfare measures, hence, are required to correct past inequities. There are several problems with this mode of reasoning. Firstly, statistical data is irrelevant for sound economic policies. A priori reasoning would do. Secondly, what happened in the past is completely irrelevant for public policy decisions.
This is the classic trick of collectivists to create an “us versus them” feeling. This is “racism”. Ayn Rand wrote decades back in “The Virtue of Selfishness, that “Racism is the lowest, most crudely primitive form of collectivism. It is the notion of ascribing moral, social or political significance to a man’s genetic lineage—the notion that a man’s intellectual and characterological traits are produced and transmitted by his internal body chemistry. Which means, in practice, that a man is to be judged, not by his own character and actions, but by the characters and actions of a collective of ancestors.” This is true of “casteism” too.
What the backward castes need is not reservations or ‘welfare”. What they need is capitalism-the free market. Racial (and caste) discrimination is inversely proportional to the degree of freedom of a country. For instance, in North America, as of higher economic freedom, blacks are much better off in comparison to their Southern counterparts. Racism was more prevalent in the feudal South America than in the more capitalist North.
Such decisions and policies by the Government is a product of the hampered market economy. Under a hampered market economy, each group tries to grab special privileges at the expense of others, and the decision to include caste in the census is a move towards it. To quote Rand again: “The growth of racism in a “mixed economy” keeps step with the growth of government controls. A “mixed economy” disintegrates a country into an institutionalized civil war of pressure groups, each fighting for legislative favors and special privileges at the expense of one another.”
This is the classic trick of collectivists to create an “us versus them” feeling. This is “racism”. Ayn Rand wrote decades back in “The Virtue of Selfishness, that “Racism is the lowest, most crudely primitive form of collectivism. It is the notion of ascribing moral, social or political significance to a man’s genetic lineage—the notion that a man’s intellectual and characterological traits are produced and transmitted by his internal body chemistry. Which means, in practice, that a man is to be judged, not by his own character and actions, but by the characters and actions of a collective of ancestors.” This is true of “casteism” too.
What the backward castes need is not reservations or ‘welfare”. What they need is capitalism-the free market. Racial (and caste) discrimination is inversely proportional to the degree of freedom of a country. For instance, in North America, as of higher economic freedom, blacks are much better off in comparison to their Southern counterparts. Racism was more prevalent in the feudal South America than in the more capitalist North.
Such decisions and policies by the Government is a product of the hampered market economy. Under a hampered market economy, each group tries to grab special privileges at the expense of others, and the decision to include caste in the census is a move towards it. To quote Rand again: “The growth of racism in a “mixed economy” keeps step with the growth of government controls. A “mixed economy” disintegrates a country into an institutionalized civil war of pressure groups, each fighting for legislative favors and special privileges at the expense of one another.”
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Earth Day II
John Tierney, writing in the New York Times has some lessons for “Turqs” on “Earth day”- environmentalist guided by science, not nostalgia or technophobia. He writes that on the first earth day, orators were creating scary predictions on “overpopulation, famine, exhaustion of fossil fuels, global shortages of vital minerals, pollution, pesticides, cancer epidemics, nuclear-reactor meltdowns, and assorted technological disasters.” Nothing came true. The problem of climate change is relatively new. He quotes Michael Specter: “Total reliance on organic farming would force African countries to devote twice as much land per crop as we do in the United States. An organic universe sounds delightful, but it could consign millions of people in Africa and throughout much of Asia to malnutrition and death.” And Mr. Brand on frankenfood: “I daresay the environmental movement has done more harm with its opposition to genetic engineering than with any other thing we’ve been wrong about. We’ve starved people, hindered science, hurt the natural environment, and denied our own practitioners a crucial tool.” He also points out that less than 1% of the earth is dependent on green energy as it is costly.
Richard Tren and Donald Roberts have another column on “How Bad Science Opened Door for Malaria” in USA Today. “Back in the 1940s, scientists realized that the chemical dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, or DDT, could stop epidemics of insect-borne diseases such as typhus. Its lifesaving potential was considered such a boon to mankind that the scientist who discovered it, Paul Mueller, won the Nobel Prize. The chemical would soon surpass all expectations in controlling malaria around the world and go on to save millions of lives.” “Early environmentalists made pesticides one of their chief bugaboos. Rachel Carson, who helped launch the modern environmental movement, was among them. In her now-famous 1962 book Silent Spring, she argued that DDT, when sprayed on a Michigan campus to halt the spread of Dutch elm disease, would spread far and wide and harm robins' ability to reproduce. Carson's anti-pesticide stance was taken up by many ecologists and led to the decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban DDT. By then, malaria had been eradicated in the USA, but it was still a scourge across much of the world.”
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Health Care Is Not A Birth Right!
The US congress passed the health care bill to provide medical covered to uninsured Americans on March 21st. The bill was passed without a single republican Vote.The bill would “provide” coverage to 95% of the legal residents of the country. It will put an “end” to insurance-company practices like denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. This will be extended to adults too, through expanded high risk pools. Health care plans will be offered to individuals who are not covered by their employers. A large part of it would be funded by a new set of taxes, and high levy on high priced insurance policies. It is hailed as a historic “victory” and a big move towards “social justice”. Some of us less naïve, however, would call it Government tyranny and a takeover of the Insurance system. It would only shift the costs to premium players, increase litigation, spending and debt and the cost of equipment and insurance. High taxes would only discourage productivity and hamper production of wealth. As Cannon and Tanner observed, “The paradox of a ‘‘right to health care’’ is that it discourages the very activities that help deliver on that ‘‘right”.”
Is health care a right? It should be obvious that there are no such positive rights. A right shouldn’t infringe the rights of others. Ayn Rand wrote in ‘The Virtue of Selfishness”, on the Medicare of the 60’s: “Medicare is an example of an out of context goal. “Isn’t it desirable that the aged should have medical care in times of illness?” its advocates clamor. Considered out of context, the answer would be: Yes, it is desirable. Who would have a reason to say no? And it is at this point that the mental processes of a collectivized brain are cut off; the rest is fog. Only the desire remains in his sight—it’s the good, isn’t it? There would be no controversy about the moral character of some young hoodlum who declared: “Isn’t it desirable to have a yacht, to live in a penthouse and to drink champagne?”—and stubbornly refused to consider the fact that he had robbed a bank and killed two guards to achieve that “desirable” goal. There is no moral difference between these two examples.”And this: "The next time you hear a discussion of Medicare, give some thought to the future—particularly to the future of your children, who will live at a time when the best brains available will no longer choose to go into medicine."
Don Watkins, of the Ayn Rand Institute hits the nail on the head: “You are not your brother’s health care provider: According to the American ideal, men are not their brother’s keeper--we are independent individuals with inalienable rights to support our own lives and happiness by our own efforts. That means taking responsibility for your own medical needs, just as you take responsibility for your grocery shopping and car payments. It means no one can claim that his need entitles him to your time, effort, or wealth. Where is the willingness to defend this ideal by saying, 'Your health care is your responsibility--and if you truly cannot afford the care you need, then you must ask for private charity--not pick your neighbor’s pocket to pay for it'?
Is health care a right? It should be obvious that there are no such positive rights. A right shouldn’t infringe the rights of others. Ayn Rand wrote in ‘The Virtue of Selfishness”, on the Medicare of the 60’s: “Medicare is an example of an out of context goal. “Isn’t it desirable that the aged should have medical care in times of illness?” its advocates clamor. Considered out of context, the answer would be: Yes, it is desirable. Who would have a reason to say no? And it is at this point that the mental processes of a collectivized brain are cut off; the rest is fog. Only the desire remains in his sight—it’s the good, isn’t it? There would be no controversy about the moral character of some young hoodlum who declared: “Isn’t it desirable to have a yacht, to live in a penthouse and to drink champagne?”—and stubbornly refused to consider the fact that he had robbed a bank and killed two guards to achieve that “desirable” goal. There is no moral difference between these two examples.”And this: "The next time you hear a discussion of Medicare, give some thought to the future—particularly to the future of your children, who will live at a time when the best brains available will no longer choose to go into medicine."
Don Watkins, of the Ayn Rand Institute hits the nail on the head: “You are not your brother’s health care provider: According to the American ideal, men are not their brother’s keeper--we are independent individuals with inalienable rights to support our own lives and happiness by our own efforts. That means taking responsibility for your own medical needs, just as you take responsibility for your grocery shopping and car payments. It means no one can claim that his need entitles him to your time, effort, or wealth. Where is the willingness to defend this ideal by saying, 'Your health care is your responsibility--and if you truly cannot afford the care you need, then you must ask for private charity--not pick your neighbor’s pocket to pay for it'?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A Philosophy Of Greed?
The Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC) has sued Goldman Sachs as it sold mortgage securities without disclosing, John Paulson, a hedge fund manager was betting against the same securities. Matt Taibbi writing in The Guardian has traced the origins of the issue to the Randian worship of greed and selfishness. Taibbi asserts that “few people understood that the crash had its roots in the lunatic greed-centered objectivist religion, fostered back in the 50s and 60s by ponderous émigré novelist Ayn Rand.” Firstly, there is nothing new in this. We have been hearing this nonsense in almost every mainstream publication from the first days of the crisis. Secondly, as a lot many sound economists, including Thomas Woods, the author of ‘Meltdown’ have noted, blaming the crisis on greed is like blaming plane crashes on gravity. What made everyone suddenly turn greedy? Surely, something is missing.
Ayn Rand never advocated greed in the sense most people use that term. Ayn Rand scholar Dr. Edward Hudgins notes, “Rand was virtually alone in celebrating the virtues of productive, innovative individuals and the wealth they create. She emphasized that businessmen at their best will first and foremost love their work and the challenge of creating products and services that earn them profits. If that’s greed, it’s to be praised! Rand also singled out for condemnation businessmen who seek money by any means, including fraud, or government handouts and special favors. If that’s greed, it’s to be damned!" Rand was never a supporter of mindless pursuit of money through any means. She wrote in “The Fountainhead”:“Look at them. The man whose sole aim is to make money. Now I don’t see anything evil in a desire to make money. But money is only a means to some end. If a man wants it for a personal purpose--to invest in his industry, to create, to study, to travel, to enjoy luxury--he’s completely moral. But the men who place money first go much beyond that. And in Atlas Shrugged: “Did you get your money by fraud? By pandering to men's vices or men's stupidity? By catering to fools, in the hope of getting more than your ability deserves? By lowering your standards? By doing work you despise for purchasers you scorn? If so, then your money will not give you a moment's or a penny's worth of joy. Then all the things you buy will become not a tribute to you, but a reproach; not an achievement, but a reminder of shame. Then you'll scream that money is evil. Evil, because it would not pinch-hit for your self-respect? Evil, because it would not let you enjoy your depravity? Is this the root of your hatred of money?”
Ayn Rand never advocated greed in the sense most people use that term. Ayn Rand scholar Dr. Edward Hudgins notes, “Rand was virtually alone in celebrating the virtues of productive, innovative individuals and the wealth they create. She emphasized that businessmen at their best will first and foremost love their work and the challenge of creating products and services that earn them profits. If that’s greed, it’s to be praised! Rand also singled out for condemnation businessmen who seek money by any means, including fraud, or government handouts and special favors. If that’s greed, it’s to be damned!" Rand was never a supporter of mindless pursuit of money through any means. She wrote in “The Fountainhead”:“Look at them. The man whose sole aim is to make money. Now I don’t see anything evil in a desire to make money. But money is only a means to some end. If a man wants it for a personal purpose--to invest in his industry, to create, to study, to travel, to enjoy luxury--he’s completely moral. But the men who place money first go much beyond that. And in Atlas Shrugged: “Did you get your money by fraud? By pandering to men's vices or men's stupidity? By catering to fools, in the hope of getting more than your ability deserves? By lowering your standards? By doing work you despise for purchasers you scorn? If so, then your money will not give you a moment's or a penny's worth of joy. Then all the things you buy will become not a tribute to you, but a reproach; not an achievement, but a reminder of shame. Then you'll scream that money is evil. Evil, because it would not pinch-hit for your self-respect? Evil, because it would not let you enjoy your depravity? Is this the root of your hatred of money?”
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Atlas Meets in Mumbai (April 2010)
*** Time-Out magazine will be covering the event and the group meetings. ***
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Time: 5 PM
Location:
A-45, Vijay Kunj,
Opp. New Model English School
Off Nehru Road
Vakola Masjid
Santacruz East
Mumbai - 400 055
Contact: +91-97693 31585
AGENDA:
The agenda will be as follows:
1. See the remaining of the Sense of Life movie.
2. Discussion on the same.
3. "My favourite quote from Ayn Rand's work.
4. Discussions to suggest the "future" meetings. Please come with your suggestions and options of what all we can do. If you have any leads for college lectures, etc. we can discuss those as well.
Any other alternatives for the above details are welcome.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Exploit The Earth
Today is the 40th Anniversary of the Earth Day, which is a day meant to appreciate the Earth’s
environment. It is observed all over the world by anti-capitalist environmentalists. Their attitude is summed up by these words of Ayn Rand: “Do not upset the balance of nature-Do not
disturb the birds, the forests, the swamps, the oceans-Do not rock the boat-Do not experiment- Do not venture out-What was good enough for our anthropoid ancestors is good enough for us-adjust to the winds, the rains, the man-eating tigers, the malarial mosquitoes, the tsetse flies-do not rebel-do not anger the unknowable demons who rule it all.”
Craig Biddle on “The Objectivist Standard blog” is urging everyone to celebrate Exploit-the-Earth Day. He writes: “Exploiting the Earth—using the raw materials of nature for one’s life-serving purposes—is a basic requirement of human life. Either man takes the Earth’s raw materials—such as trees, petroleum, aluminum, and atoms—and transforms them into the requirements of his life, or he dies. To live, man must produce the goods on which his life depends; he must produce homes, automobiles, computers, electricity, and the like; he must seize nature and use it to his advantage. There is no escaping this fact. Even the allegedly “noble” savage must pick or perish.” He continues: “If the good is nature untouched by man, how is man to live? What is he to eat? What is he to wear? Where is he to reside? How can man do anything his life requires without altering, harming, or destroying some aspect of nature?”
Bjorn Lomberg also has written a wonderful piece on the subject: “In their [environmentalists]
view, "The world is in greater peril than ever." But consider this: In virtually every developed
country, the air is more breathable and the water is more drinkable than it was in 1970. In most
of the First World, deforestation has turned to reforestation. Moreover, the percentage of malnutrition has been reduced, and ever-more people have access to clean water and sanitation.” But, this is something environmentalists do not want to hear. They want to present the scenario as more scary than it is. Lomberg also unmasks the hypocrisy of the agenda of global warming alarmists: “In the minds of Earth Day activists, no environmental challenge is more urgent than the need to drastically cut carbon emissions in order to stop global warming. What about indoor air pollution, which happens to be the world's No. 1 environmental killer? In poor countries, 2.5 billion people rely on "biomass" — wood, waste and dung — to cook and keep themselves warm. This year, the resulting pollution will kill about 1.3 million of them, mainly women and children. Switching from biomass to fossil fuels would dramatically improve the lives of more than a third of the world's population.”
Fortunately as the alarmists are getting discredited, more and more people are waking up to the
truth.
environment. It is observed all over the world by anti-capitalist environmentalists. Their attitude is summed up by these words of Ayn Rand: “Do not upset the balance of nature-Do not
disturb the birds, the forests, the swamps, the oceans-Do not rock the boat-Do not experiment- Do not venture out-What was good enough for our anthropoid ancestors is good enough for us-adjust to the winds, the rains, the man-eating tigers, the malarial mosquitoes, the tsetse flies-do not rebel-do not anger the unknowable demons who rule it all.”
Craig Biddle on “The Objectivist Standard blog” is urging everyone to celebrate Exploit-the-Earth Day. He writes: “Exploiting the Earth—using the raw materials of nature for one’s life-serving purposes—is a basic requirement of human life. Either man takes the Earth’s raw materials—such as trees, petroleum, aluminum, and atoms—and transforms them into the requirements of his life, or he dies. To live, man must produce the goods on which his life depends; he must produce homes, automobiles, computers, electricity, and the like; he must seize nature and use it to his advantage. There is no escaping this fact. Even the allegedly “noble” savage must pick or perish.” He continues: “If the good is nature untouched by man, how is man to live? What is he to eat? What is he to wear? Where is he to reside? How can man do anything his life requires without altering, harming, or destroying some aspect of nature?”
Bjorn Lomberg also has written a wonderful piece on the subject: “In their [environmentalists]
view, "The world is in greater peril than ever." But consider this: In virtually every developed
country, the air is more breathable and the water is more drinkable than it was in 1970. In most
of the First World, deforestation has turned to reforestation. Moreover, the percentage of malnutrition has been reduced, and ever-more people have access to clean water and sanitation.” But, this is something environmentalists do not want to hear. They want to present the scenario as more scary than it is. Lomberg also unmasks the hypocrisy of the agenda of global warming alarmists: “In the minds of Earth Day activists, no environmental challenge is more urgent than the need to drastically cut carbon emissions in order to stop global warming. What about indoor air pollution, which happens to be the world's No. 1 environmental killer? In poor countries, 2.5 billion people rely on "biomass" — wood, waste and dung — to cook and keep themselves warm. This year, the resulting pollution will kill about 1.3 million of them, mainly women and children. Switching from biomass to fossil fuels would dramatically improve the lives of more than a third of the world's population.”
Fortunately as the alarmists are getting discredited, more and more people are waking up to the
truth.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Atlas Meet SPECIAL!! - Watch a live performance of Ayn Rand's play "The Night of January 16th"
The next monthly Atlas Meet in Delhi will take place on Sunday, April 11 at India Habitat Center. It will depart from its regular routine for a very special occasion - the chance to see a live performance of Ayn Rand's famous courtroom drama "The Night of January 16th"!
The play is being staged by 5Elementz Art & Culture Society ® and directed by Rakhi Manuv. (Read more about the play below.)
The Atlas Meet will be held at the restaurant "EATOPIA" in IHC at 5.30 pm. After snacks and discussions, we will proceed to the auditorium at 7 pm. The play begins at 7.15 pm. Although the show is ticketed, it will be complimentary for those attending the Atlas Meet.
ABOUT THE PLAY
Night of January 16 is a Play written by AYN RAND , inspired by the death of the "Match King", Ivar Kreuger. First published in 1934, it takes place entirely in a court room and is centered on a murder trial. It was a hit of the 1935-36 Broadway season. The play deals
with issues of a man's ability to regard oneself as important and exist in a society where moral decay is ever prevalent. It also deals with issues of love, loyalty and betrayal.
What is particularly interesting is a feature of the play which picks members of the audience to take on the role of Jury members each night. Depending on whether the "Jury" finds the defendant of the case, as in the play, "guilty" or "not guilty" - the play would have different endings.
Date
11th April 2010
Time
5.30 pm - 7.00 pm (followed by the play at 7.15 pm)
The Venue
India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
It is an open meeting - anyone interested in Ayn Rand's ideas is welcome. If you're planning to attend, it would be helpful if you let us know by leaving a comment below or by sending an email to vbajaj@aynrand.in .
The play is being staged by 5Elementz Art & Culture Society ® and directed by Rakhi Manuv. (Read more about the play below.)
The Atlas Meet will be held at the restaurant "EATOPIA" in IHC at 5.30 pm. After snacks and discussions, we will proceed to the auditorium at 7 pm. The play begins at 7.15 pm. Although the show is ticketed, it will be complimentary for those attending the Atlas Meet.
ABOUT THE PLAY
Night of January 16 is a Play written by AYN RAND , inspired by the death of the "Match King", Ivar Kreuger. First published in 1934, it takes place entirely in a court room and is centered on a murder trial. It was a hit of the 1935-36 Broadway season. The play deals
with issues of a man's ability to regard oneself as important and exist in a society where moral decay is ever prevalent. It also deals with issues of love, loyalty and betrayal.
What is particularly interesting is a feature of the play which picks members of the audience to take on the role of Jury members each night. Depending on whether the "Jury" finds the defendant of the case, as in the play, "guilty" or "not guilty" - the play would have different endings.
Date
11th April 2010
Time
5.30 pm - 7.00 pm (followed by the play at 7.15 pm)
The Venue
India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
It is an open meeting - anyone interested in Ayn Rand's ideas is welcome. If you're planning to attend, it would be helpful if you let us know by leaving a comment below or by sending an email to vbajaj@aynrand.in .
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
"The Objectivist Standard" announces its first annual essay contest
The Objectivist Standard (TOS) is a quarterly journal on culture and politics carrying articles written from an Objectivist perspective. For the first time ever, it has launched an annual essay contest with handsome cash prizes of over $3000 and a wide eligibility range for participants. Both students and non-students can enter, as long as they are between 18 and 35 years of age.
The topic for 2010 is The Moral Foundation of Capitalism and the deadline for submission is 15 August 2010. More details about the contest can be found at their website:
http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/essay/
Information about the contest is also available via email at .
The topic for 2010 is The Moral Foundation of Capitalism and the deadline for submission is 15 August 2010. More details about the contest can be found at their website:
http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/essay/
Information about the contest is also available via email at .
Friday, March 19, 2010
Atlas Meet in Delhi - Watch a DVD of "Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life"
The next monthly Atlas Meet in Delhi will take place on Friday, 19 March, 2010. Those present at the last meeting had wanted to view a DVD of Michael Paxton's Oscar-nominated documentary "Ayn Rand: A Sense Of Life" (courtesy of Rajendra Lakhotia). So, that will be the main agenda of the meet, of course, followed by hot discussions over hot snacks and hot tea as always!
Date
19th March 2010
Time
5.30 pm - 7.45 pm
The Agenda
Session I (Savor and Study)
5.30 pm - 6.45 pm: Watch a DVD of Michael Paxton's Oscar-nominated documentary "Ayn Rand: A Sense Of Life"
6.45 pm - 7.15 pm: Tea and snacks break.
[Those interested in coming in only for one session, could arrive or depart during this time.]
Session II (Spread and Sustain)
7.15 pm - 7.45 pm: Discussions on ways to spread Ayn Rand's ideas amongst students -
i) continuation of discussions on ideas mooted in previous meetings (Organizing talks in schools through personal contacts).
ii) other ideas for promoting the same.
*New* : You can also participate in the discussions live over the internet via audio/video conferencing. All you need is a web-browser and audio capabilities on your computer. If you have a webcam, then you can see us and be seen as well. If you are interested, you must send an email to vbajaj@aynrand.in at least one day in advance to receive the link and instructions.
The Venue
inlingua International School of Languages,
N-12, first floor,
South Extension - Part I
It is an open meeting - anyone interested in Ayn Rand's ideas is welcome. You may call Vikram on 9810028900 for directions. If you're planning to attend, it would be helpful if you let us know by leaving a comment below or by sending an email to vbajaj@aynrand.in .
Date
19th March 2010
Time
5.30 pm - 7.45 pm
The Agenda
Session I (Savor and Study)
5.30 pm - 6.45 pm: Watch a DVD of Michael Paxton's Oscar-nominated documentary "Ayn Rand: A Sense Of Life"
6.45 pm - 7.15 pm: Tea and snacks break.
[Those interested in coming in only for one session, could arrive or depart during this time.]
Session II (Spread and Sustain)
7.15 pm - 7.45 pm: Discussions on ways to spread Ayn Rand's ideas amongst students -
i) continuation of discussions on ideas mooted in previous meetings (Organizing talks in schools through personal contacts).
ii) other ideas for promoting the same.
*New* : You can also participate in the discussions live over the internet via audio/video conferencing. All you need is a web-browser and audio capabilities on your computer. If you have a webcam, then you can see us and be seen as well. If you are interested, you must send an email to vbajaj@aynrand.in at least one day in advance to receive the link and instructions.
The Venue
inlingua International School of Languages,
N-12, first floor,
South Extension - Part I
It is an open meeting - anyone interested in Ayn Rand's ideas is welcome. You may call Vikram on 9810028900 for directions. If you're planning to attend, it would be helpful if you let us know by leaving a comment below or by sending an email to vbajaj@aynrand.in .
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
An Encroachment On The Right To Privacy
The 2010 census questionnaire will be mailed to every household across the United States. Questions will be on name age, race, and house ownership among others. The maximum fine for refusing to answer these census questions is 100$ per question up to a total maximum fine of 5000$.(Meanwhile, the Government of India is planning to prepare the National Population Register (NPR) with the 2011 Census at the expense of tax payers money. The cost of the 2001 Census was 1,403 crores). The mainstream media is busy assuring the public that with ten questions, it will be the shortest ever. It is important, it is said, as it will influence major political decisions. It is forgotten, that according to the constitution of the United States people are not legally obligated to cooperate on anything other than head count. The intrusive nature of the questions gives us the signal that we are on the way to a totalitarian cage, where we have to answer the Government on issues which shouldn’t matter to others in one way or the other. As Walter Williams pointed out, “The purpose of the census is to apportion the House of Representatives. You don’t need to know how many toilets I have to apportion the House of Representatives.”
It should be obvious at any person who believes in individual rights that the Government, or any organized body doesn’t have the right to extort information from a person which he is not willing to provide. This is a clear case of state encroachment on privacy. As Ayn Rand scholar Chris Mathew Sciabarra said, “The war on privacy is a war against voluntary human association of every kind.” Privacy, according to Rand, was more than a right. She wrote in “The Fountainhead”: “All the functions of body and spirit are private.” And: “Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.” She also held that “the concept of invasion of privacy requires a clear definition of the right to privacy, which could be discussed only inside the context of clearly defined and upheld individual rights.”
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A report on the Atlas Meet in Delhi on 19th February
The 7th Atlas Meet in Delhi took place on Friday, 19th February 2010. Billed as the 'Fountainhead Special', it attracted a gathering of nine enthusiasts, including newcomers to the meet Mayank Sharma, Bindu Mangalpalli and Ashok Atluri, as well as old-hands Barun Mitra, Vikram Bajaj, Arun Virmani, Poonam Vasudeva, Sunil Khetan and Rajendra Lakhotia.
The evening began promptly with a viewing of trailers and excerpts from the movie "The Fountainhead". Animated discussions followed on issues ranging from the casting of the film to whether it captured the spirit of the novel well or not.
Next, each of the participants shared their favorite quote from the novel and expanded on why they liked it. More than a few chose the famous line "But I don’t think of you." that is delivered by Roark in response to Toohey's question. Others remembered the exchange between Keating and Roark when Roark admonishes "Never ask people. Not about your work."; or the section when Roark feels the emotion of pity upon seeing Keating's pathetic attempts at painting - his true, but long-suppressed, passion. Some favored the exchanges between Roark and Wynand or Roark and Dominique, but in every case it was fascinating to learn how a few words in a novel had such a life-changing impact on the individuals who read them!
Atul started another, even more interesting round of discussion by asking the question if any of those present had any fundamental disagreement with Ayn Rand's world view. There were some who felt aggrieved by her view of India and Indian dance, while others were unhappy with her depiction of the mother-son relationship in her novels; some were still grappling with applying her ideas in real life, but nothing was shared that was of significance in a fundamental sense. Atul, himself, was miffed by Ayn rand's attitude towards women as evidenced by Ayn Rand's views on a woman as the president of the United States! The debate was often heated and lively, but amicable throughout.
Rajendra had carried a DVD of Michael Paxton's Oscar-nominated documentary "Ayn Rand: A Sense Of Life", but we found that we were way past the curfew hour and agreed to schedule a viewing for the next meeting, which is due on 19th March, Friday.
The evening began promptly with a viewing of trailers and excerpts from the movie "The Fountainhead". Animated discussions followed on issues ranging from the casting of the film to whether it captured the spirit of the novel well or not.
Next, each of the participants shared their favorite quote from the novel and expanded on why they liked it. More than a few chose the famous line "But I don’t think of you." that is delivered by Roark in response to Toohey's question. Others remembered the exchange between Keating and Roark when Roark admonishes "Never ask people. Not about your work."; or the section when Roark feels the emotion of pity upon seeing Keating's pathetic attempts at painting - his true, but long-suppressed, passion. Some favored the exchanges between Roark and Wynand or Roark and Dominique, but in every case it was fascinating to learn how a few words in a novel had such a life-changing impact on the individuals who read them!
Atul started another, even more interesting round of discussion by asking the question if any of those present had any fundamental disagreement with Ayn Rand's world view. There were some who felt aggrieved by her view of India and Indian dance, while others were unhappy with her depiction of the mother-son relationship in her novels; some were still grappling with applying her ideas in real life, but nothing was shared that was of significance in a fundamental sense. Atul, himself, was miffed by Ayn rand's attitude towards women as evidenced by Ayn Rand's views on a woman as the president of the United States! The debate was often heated and lively, but amicable throughout.
Rajendra had carried a DVD of Michael Paxton's Oscar-nominated documentary "Ayn Rand: A Sense Of Life", but we found that we were way past the curfew hour and agreed to schedule a viewing for the next meeting, which is due on 19th March, Friday.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Interview With Jaidev Deshpande
Liberty Institute interviewed Jaidev Deshpande, a Semi finalist in “Atlas Shrugged” essay contest.
1) How did you come across the works of Ayn Rand?
My Father had a copy of The Fountainhead, although I did not discover it until I read an interview of Hrithik Roshan, where he said his favourite book was The Fountainhead. When I asked my Father how it was, he just said it was a 'very beautiful' novel.
2) What impact did she have on your intellectual development?
She impacted my development in that I now know there exists a school of thought which holds achievement as the highest morality in men, which advocates reality to be absolute and so on. As an engineering student, I had only read about theories that say our work should be robust and sustainable, but had never been taught to practice this. This is specifically where the Fountainhead helped me. I found the courage to question every single step I was being asked to take.
3) What is your favorite book by Ayn Rand? Who is your favorite fictional character in Ayn Rand’s novels?
My favourite book is Atlas Shrugged and my favourite character is Francisco d'Anconia. He's perhaps the most romantically portrayed of all characters and appears as the primary advocate of Galt's strike. It's through him that readers get a glimpse of Objectivism.
4) Many have pointed out that altruism is the main cause of the present economic crisis. How relevant do you think AR's ideas are in today's world?
Although I have no certain knowledge of the economic crisis, I think AR's ideas are still relevant, because they advocate laissez-faire capitalism, which is perhaps the most sustainable political and economic state of affairs.
5) Have you read other libertarian thinkers? What do you think of Capitalism as a politico-economic system?
I have not read other libertarian thinkers, in fact I have only just discovered the whole free-market philosophy. I intend to take a course in descriptive economics.
6) You said that there exists a causal link between sex and self-esteem. Ayn Rand shows in Atlas Shrugged how wrong epistemology leads to sexual impotence. How true do you think it is?
Unfortunately, I was able to understand only as much as Ayn Rand has said in Atlas Shrugged. I haven't given this epistemology much of a thought since. I have my doubts about it. For instance, it is easy even for a very self-esteemed person to feel sexually attracted towards another person who they know to be of a lower intellectual stature. I do not know if this is an anomaly or if I need to study that idea further.
7) How do you wish to carry Ayn Rand's philosophy forward?
It is my ambition to establish a research firm, and also an educational institute. I wish to make these endeavors examples of capitalistic practices. I guess practice is a better way to spread a philosophy, than political propaganda.
8) What career do you want to pursue?
I want to be, like I mentioned, an entrepreneur in the field of signal processing and computational research.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Invitation For "Think Twice", Ayn Rand's Play
On behalf of Rakhi Mehta and the Members of Theatre Group 5 Elementz, I would like to cordially invite you to witness their Hindi play “Think Twice” (Murder Mystery). The play was written by Ayn Rand - Author of Atlas Shrugged & The Fountainhead.
At P.S.K. , Vikas Marg, New Delhi. On 10th March 2010 at 19:00 Hrs.
At P.S.K. , Vikas Marg, New Delhi. On 10th March 2010 at 19:00 Hrs.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Atlas Sunday Meeting, Mumbai.
Date: 7th March 2010
Venue: A45, Vijay Kunj, Opp New Model English School, Vakola, Santacruz East, Mumbai.
Agenda:
- Begin with documentary of Ayn Rand - A Sense of Life (Part1) -- 45 mins.
- We elicit comments and discussions on the documentary -- 15 mins
- Roark's courtroom speech -- either read out by the group or watched on YouTube -- 15mins
- Discussion on the courtroom speech -- 45 mins
Please do drop in your comments/suggestions. Also, do not hesitate to bring along friends who are interested in Ayn Rand or would like to know more.
Please inform us prior, so that we are prepared with the logistics.
Kirti (0) 9820226297
Jerry (0) 9930312685
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