Ford Hall Forum - Money & Power

Watch this rivetting debate between Yaron Brook and Hedrick Smith on government and regulation.

http://www.youtube.com/v/WRLzZ0pyl5s?list=FLUStKIip-Gj-Cqw2Tyr7h6w&version=3&attribution_tag=z7GrPu8uqYJEp3-XTYPXCQ&showinfo=1&autohide=1&autoplay=1&feature=share

The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

The Atlas Shrugged essay contest deadline is quickly approaching. Don't miss out on your chance to win one of the fantastic prizes!

http://bit.ly/U5S38B

Capitalism Without God

Forbes has published an excellent article by Dr. Binswanger on the secular basis of morality.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/harrybinswanger/2013/07/07/capitalism-without-god-freedom-is-a-secular-but-absolute-value/

Creating a Just Society

I have firmly believed that if there is anything that a man should concern himself with the affairs of another, then it should be with regards to seeking of justice for his fellow human beings. There is nothing altruist about this. On the contrary it is of utmost self interest of the one fighting for others justice as this is core building block for creating or maintaining a civilised society, which off-course is in the interest of every man other than the criminal himself.

It is in this context that I see the spate of recent protests, supposedly by the ordinary citizens as a matter of great pride. Regretably, it has been largely a emotion filled ranting for justice. While it does pressurise the State to act swiftly than it would have done otherwise in the specific case of the rape of a women in Delhi, does little to bring in a lasting change. Lasting change cannot be brought in by people without the necessary intellectual ammunition which I have scarcely seen being offered by anyone\anywhere. I would like to believe that if there is any body who can offer it, it is us and therefore I put forth the below for discussion\debate.

I am calling this the "Five things to be changed" only because I found these to be the most important. Changes in the constitution in itself can be all encompassing. Secondly, there can be more than 5, but this is the first five. I am not elaborating, certainly not beyond the basic outlines of each of the actions hoping to leave that to the room for discussion.

1. Re-write the constitution.  This is the most important of all changes required. Our constitution has given too much room for the government to digress and as a result has spread itself too thin to be able to deliver where it needs to. Moreover, like Hayek said, the kind of all encompassing socialist state that we have only results in progressively corrupting the society itself and eventually to a situation where the worst of the society comes to lead it to eventual ruin. The founding principle if the constitution will be to enshrine the rights of man and protection of these rights. The constitution will have to ensure that the smallest of the minorities are protected of their rights and that their rights will not be legislated away by the majority.
2. We do not need our representatives to pass laws which then we all then need to follow. The legislature can be completely abolished or can act a representative group that proposes laws, which then will be approved or rejected by the people again through direct action through national referendum. A more suitable alternative is to ensure that the people themselves pass all new laws through national referendum.
3. Close all government departments except the ones dealing with in protecting the constitutional rights and delivering Justice – Courts, Police & the Army. Move the Government personal from the abolished departments to the courts & police etc. The government will divest all its interests in business and solely focus on its mandate of Law & order and Justice. The government will there fore consists of A) Judiciary B) Police and Armed Forces and C)Administration. The reason for calling the 3^rd estate as Administration is to emphasis that it will not have any executive functions and will act purely as an administrator within the strict oversight of the people.
4. The Chiefs of Police of each police districts and his\her deputies and the attorneys will be directly elected by the people\residents of that district, including fixing of their compensation and will be answerable to the people.
5. Taxes will be constitutionally limited, the government will have no right or authority to levy taxes\change the tax rates. Every citizen of the country should be required to pay taxes, not marginal taxation and no tax exemption. Government will be prohibited from Borrowing funds or creating any future liability on its assets or incomes. The central bank and all such government monopolies will have to go. The government will not pass on their rights to private hands – essentially there will be no private or government monopolies or charters.

TEDxCity2.0 Global Conferences coming to Bombay

TEDxCity2.0, part of the global TEDx series of independently organized conferences, will focus on shaping the ideal city of the future. On a single day--October 13, 2012--across more than 50 cities around the world, the TEDx platform will harness the power of individual organizers, thought-leaders, and changemakers to concentrate on the issues of Urban Lifescapes.

In Bombay, the TEDxCity2.0 edition is branded as TEDxChurchgate and will focus on Re-imagining Urban Lifescapes through the intersection of Philosophy, Psychology, Policy, and Art to explore the ways in which the soul of a city is shaped through the dominant ideas in the culture.

Visit the official website www.tedxchurchgate.com to learn more about the event, check out the speaker line-up, contribute your donations towards funding the event, or buy your tickets early enough because there are only very limited seats for this conference. (Early bird rates at 1000 INR + taxes; Regular rates at 1800 INR + taxes).

Let's gather for worldwide day of urban inspiration.

Jerry Johnson
Curator
TEDxChurchgate
www.tedxchurchgate.com

Get the latest updates on speakers, bio, venue, and other details at:
www.facebook.com/tedxchurchgate
www.twitter.com/tedxchurchgate

Free Objectivist Books!

You can now log on to the website www.freeobjectivistbooks.org and register for either receiving or donating Objectivist books. This site lists students requesting books from all over the world, and allows donors to order and send books directly to their chosen recipient.


A simple but wonderful idea! 

Mumbai Film Screening: WE THE LIVING by Ayn Rand

The ATLAS SUNDAY PHILOSOPHY CLUB presents one of the most passionate and dazzling movie adaptations of Ayn Rand's novels.

Come watch WE THE LIVING (Italian with English subtitles) - a movie directed by Goffredo Alessandrini, and with moving performances by Alida Valli and Rossano Brazzi!

(An) ambitious and ingenious film.
—Caryn James/New York Times

WE THE LIVING by Ayn Rand

It has a passion that is undeniably moving.
—London Morning Star

...A romantic and powerfully-dramatic experience never likely to be forgotten...WE THE LIVING has the power to enslave the heart and the emotions. It's a wonderful film.
—Bill Collins/Daily Mirror (Sydney)

WE THE LIVING... qualifies in every respect as film treasure...dazzling performances...this is a film that avoids the predictable every step of the way...one of the best movies of the year.
—Mike McGrady/New York Newsday

=====================

Spend your Sunday afternoon watching this classic (and historic) movie based on the novel We The Living by Ayn Rand.

We The Living, the movie, has an incredible history in the making--and in its journey from Fascist Italy to capitalist America in the first half of the twentieth century. Directed in 1942 by Italian director Goffredo Alessandrini, the movie was first made illegally without the permission or knowledge of Ayn Rand.

At first, the script was suppressed by the hostile fascist regime, and then cheered and honored, then finally banned again at the height of its success--as the dictators came to understand the comprehensive theme of We The Living.

"The movie adaptation of Ayn Rand’s We the Living is haunting, passionate..." -- Scott Holleran.

To learn more about this movie and buy yourself a DVD copy, visit http://wethelivingmovie.com/index.php

FOR NOW, YOU CAN WATCH THIS FILM FOR FREE!!!

Date: December 18, 2011

Time: 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Venue: Ground Floor, Health Center building, University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus, Santacruz East, Mumbai - 400055

Directions: The health center building is the first building to your right as you enter the Kalina campus main gate. The University of Mumbai in Kalina is located on CST Road, which is very close to the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Vakola.

The Atlas Sunday Philosophy Club (ASPC) presents an afternoon with Ayn Rand.

The ASPC is a social discussion group organized by Jerry Johnson on a monthly basis in Mumbai and is intended as a gathering for all fans of Ayn Rand and her ideas as well as individuals interested in learning more about this seminal philosopher.

The group welcomes vigorous discussions on Rand's philosophy of Objectivism and regularly conducts sessions on relevant topics of day, such as the politics of Anna Hazare, the relationship between atheism and self-esteem, the morality of capitalism, morality without God, and many more.

Contact Jerry Johnson at 99 303 12 685 to learn more.

You can also join the Facebook page: Ayn Rand Fans in India to stay updated on events and discussions.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/aynrandfans/

Screening of WE THE LIVING at Delhi

WE THE LIVING

by Ayn Rand

The literary club at IIT Delhi is screening the film "We The Living" at their annual Literary Festival.

On September 25, at 11:00 am.

The festival attracts students from a number of colleges, primarily in Delhi and a few from outside.

More information about the venue will be shared as and when it gets finalized. Keep checking this space.

Please post a comment here if you plan to attend so that we can inform the festival organizers.

Thank you!

DATE: September 25, 2011

TIME: 11 AM

Screening of WE THE LIVING

Venue: IIT Delhi

The Objectivist Response to the Problem of Corruption

The topic of this month's Atlas Sunday Club Philosophy Salon is "The Objectivist Response to the Problem of Corruption".

An analysis of corruption--what does it mean and under what contexts does it arise.
Understanding the dynamics of power and the origins of corruption.
Examining the Objectivist solution to the problem of corruption.
Open discussion and Q&A.

Health Center Building,
University of Mumbai Kalina Campus,
Kalina, Santacrus East
First bulding to the right as soon as you enter the kalina campus main gate
Mumbai, India

Contact: Jerry Johnson @ 9930312685

Atlas Shrugged climbs to #4 on Amazon's bestsellers list on the back of a good opening for the movie

The movie "Atlas Shrugged - Part 1" opened on Friday in 300 movie halls in the US. Shrikant Rangnekar reports on the impact that is having on book sales on Amazon:

http://shrikantrangnekar.com/2011/04/17/atlas-shrugged-movie-report-april-17-2011/

Another review of 'Atlas Shrugged', the movie

In a thought-provoking article on the new film Atlas Shrugged: Part 1, Shrikant Rangnekar asks and answers ten important questions on what impact the movie will have on our culture.

http://shrikantrangnekar.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/atlas-shrugged-movie-ten-million-dollar-questions/

(Mr. Rangnekar runs a publishing business in New York and has been a long-time Objectivist.)

First steps towards a return to the Gold Standard?!

Utah passes bill to make Gold and Silver legal tender


In a defiant mood, Utah's House and Senate thumbed their noses at the US Federal Reserve by passing a bill to remove state taxes on the transfer of gold and allow shops in the state to accept payment in gold coins.


The Financial Times has a story on this historic move:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/906b7668-557a-11e0-a2b1-00144feab49a.html#axzz1HVkD9v9Y

Atlas Shrugged Movie Review

C. A. Wolski reviews the film Atlas Shrugged: Part I in the forthcoming spring edition of The Objective Standard. The film releases on April 15 in a limited number of theatres in the USA. Excerpts from his review:


... Atlas Shrugged: Part I is not the novel and it does not pretend to be. It is a fairly competently made, credible adaptation of one of the most complex novels ever written. Even with its flaws, the film is enjoyable and has wonderful moments, including some in which it captures the power of the novel—such as the party during which Dagny gets the Rearden Metal bracelet, the scene during which Hank hands over his ore mine to Paul Larkin, and the already mentioned scene during which Dagny and Hank discover the motor. Fans of Ayn Rand’s masterpiece likely will enjoy these scenes in particular and appreciate the movie generally. Those unfamiliar with the story will probably enjoy the movie as well and may find their curiosity sufficiently piqued to read the book. If so, they will be even more richly rewarded. All in all, Atlas Shrugged: Part I will be a satisfactory journey for many viewers and could help increase awareness of Rand’s work.




 To read the full review, go to:
http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2011-spring/atlas-shrugged-part1.asp

Attend the Launch of Atlas Shrugged in Marathi

Professor Mugdha Karnik from the University of Mumbai had undertaken the monumental task of translating Ayn Rand’s epic novel Atlas Shrugged into Marathi — the regional language of the state of Maharashtra–one of the most populous states in the country. [Note: Prof Karnik's thoughts on her initiative to translate Atlas Shrugged are posted here.]

I have personally heard Prof. Karnik read an excerpt from her translation during one of the Atlas Sunday Club Philosophy Salon’s I organize in Mumbai. She read the passage in which Hank Rearden is holding the dying young wet nurse in his arms. It is a stirring scene in the original novel–and listening to Prof. Karnik read it out in Marathi was equally moving.

I remember telling her at that time that I believe she did not just translate the language of Atlas Shrugged but also managed to translate the spirit of the novel.

Anyway, all of this is in preamble to the reason for this post. The new Marathi version of Atlas Shrugged is being released officially in the city. The following are details. All who are in Mumbai or can travel to the city are urged to attend:

DATE: Saturday, Feb 26, 2011

TIME: 7 pm to 8.30 pm

VENUE: Shivaji Mandir, Dadar, Mumbai

GUEST SPEAKERS

Veena Gavankar and Sharad Joshi

Dhananjay Karnik will introduce Sharad Joshi

COMPERE: Jyoti Ambekar

For more details and information about the book, you can reach out to Professor Karnik at the following address:

Mugdha D. Karnik,
Director
Centre for Extra-Mural Studies, University of Mumbai,
Vidyanagari, Kalina, Santacruz (E),
Mumbai 400098

Tel: 022-65952761/65296962
www.extramural.org

Launching LIBERTY NEWS CENTRAL

I should like to announce the launching of a new pro-freedom news and views site-

LIBERTY NEWS CENTRAL

with several daily updates.


Or rather, I should say relaunch as I tried it earlier last year but all sorts of constraints from technical to financial held it back. It is a labor of love and passion for liberty and has been long in works, mainly as a dream. Would very much appreciate your comments, suggestions and any possible help.