Nathan’s Comments (group member since Oct 22, 2010)

Nathan’s comments from the Atlas Shrugged Fanatics group.

J.P.: This is great news. Thanks for the tip. I'll look forward to reading the recommended books when I can.

Stadler believed in big government and praised the creation of the State Science Institute. This, in Rand's mind, made him a statist and one to be feared and opposed. At the moment he praised the SSI he was on dangerous ground, but was still redeemable. But he had set his feet on a path that was leading to a bad place.

But then later he goes further down that path and gets much worse. He condones the dishonest and unfair smearing of Rearden Metal (via some nameless writer at the SSI), and plunges full-on with the looters in nearly every way.

http://10-most.com/the-top-10-most-in...

From that list, I have read, and enjoyed, numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8!

Shayne,

I almost put the book down the first time I read it too, because it sounded all pro-socialist to me. Perhaps your reasons were very different. But of course I realized that it's not pro-socialist, that's just what the "bad guys" were spouting.

Anyway I hope you'll stick with it. It's one of the most amazing books I have ever read, but the first chunk does require some tenacity. Stick with it and you won't regret it.

I wonder if most readers of Atlas will see themselves in Eddie. Perhaps the most relatable character, like Bilbo or Frodo in Lord of the Rings. The ordinary man.

I was using the term loosely. The valley was Rand's version of heaven.

That is unfortunate for Eddie, who was always a good guy. But I think I know the reason. Ayn Rand was fairly elitist. Simply being a good guy was not enough to get you to heaven (the valley). You had to be a captain of industry, a genius, a producer. Eddie was none of those things. But he was also not a looter. Consequently he received Dagny's friendship and respect, but he was not in the major league with the others.

One technique the looters used in Atlas was to turn everyone into a criminal through laws and taxation that were impossible to live with, even if you tried. And once you're breaking the law, the government has more leverage and power over you. And those in charge can offer exemptions and exceptions from their crazy laws if you give them something they want. Additionally, when everyone's a criminal, the government can justify any action against their political enemies. A few examples:

- Obamacare - This will be so crushing and expensive that nobody can live with it, nobody can pay for it, and everyone will fall into disfavor with the rules--both private citizens and companies.

- Gun control - Obama's ultimate goal is to turn every gun owner into a criminal. Most gun owners vote conservative. Presto, he now has extreme legal leverage over all his political enemies who are now criminals.

- Regulation - Federal regulations were painful before Obama took office and have gotten worse ever since. Once these regulations become intolerable for businesses and they can't possibly uphold them and stay in business, every company becomes a criminal, and the government now has extreme leverage.

- Taxation - As taxes go up, more and more honest people can't pay, and are forced to cheat. Everyone becomes a criminal, and the government can pick and choose who gets exemptions and special favors. Loopholes get written in to tax legislation to benefit Democrat donors, etc.

If only there were a valley in Colorado where the producers could go on strike...

What parallels do you see between the looters in Atlas and the current Obama administration? Is Obama more like Mr. Thompson? Or Wesley Mouch? Or maybe Dr. Stadler? I find it fascinating and terrifying every time I see Atlas becoming a reality in our country. For example when the auto unions were granted exemptions from ObamaCare in exchange for their votes and support.

I like his speech but I think it's too long. It could have been summarized. Too repetitive. Don't get me wrong, I love the book and the speech, it just should have been shorter.

Amara: I haven't read Atlas in a few years. Please remind me what was Eddie's fate?

I suppose Atlas isn't for everyone. I had a co-worker that hated it. It's my favorite fiction ever. Hang in there, it gets really good, imho.

Nah, I don't give spoilers. All I can tell you is to reserve judgment on Francisco for awhile.

Mpress, in regard to your forming opinion about Franscisco, check your premises. :-)

You'll find out who John Galt is...and it will blow your mind. :-)

Atlas gains momentum and tempo the deeper you get into it. It is masterful storytelling. Rand claims she invented an entirely new genre of fiction, and I think she may be right.

If you liked Anthem you'll love Atlas. It's my favorite fiction of all time.

Kate, have you finished the book yet?

Yeah, she's a great character. Rearden's pretty cool too. :-)

Kate,

You're dying to know where everyone is disappearing to...when you find out, you'll be thrilled. It's awesome, and well worth the long read. I wish I could erase my memory of the book and read it "new" each time. But even knowing how it ends, it's almost as good with subsequent reads.

So, what has been your favorite thing about the book so far? And who do you relate to most? Dagny? :-)