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I came across Ayn Rand's Objectivism during a documentary kick on Netflix. After watching "Ayn Rand: In Her Words", I knew with immediate certainty that I had found a mind who had successfully constructed a philosophical framework capable of making sense of my growing, irrational despair.

While it is painful to accept my own role in perpetuating a socialistic/mystical approach to solving "problems" in my country via movements like environmentalism, it would be far more painful to continue down the path of misguided altruism and self-depravation to the point of total mental shutdown. I accept my ignorance, I have mourned it, and now it is time to get about the work of dispelling the destructive rhetoric I have been forced to endure my entire life.

I have nearly 10 books on order delving into all aspects of the Objecttivist philosophy (mostly by Ayn Rand herself, but Leonard Peikoff and others as well). I will be starting an Objectivist group in my town of Chico, CA once I have absorbed as much reading material and online content as possible. It is clear to me that even a well-intentioned newcomer to Objectivism who does not have a fundamental grasp of the philosophy (and, especially, has not learned to make decisions/statements free of emotion), could cause further damage to people's understanding of a morality based on Reason rather than faith. Understanding the dangers of misrepresentation, I am committed to absorbing the material and applying it successfully in my own life before professing its validity to others.

When searching for an Objectivism forum to join, I have to say ... I was saddened to find so few to choose from and, of those available, to find a low number of active members. Objectivism Online, as far as I could tell, seems to be one of the top forums. It is my goal to be influential in the task of educating minds in regard Objectivism. Some might say this is an altruistic motivation, or that it differs little from the Christian community's approach to "spread the word". But there is a large difference. My interest is not in "saving people" from a return to tribalism and irrational fear (though it will be a side-effect). My interest is living the remainder of my life in a free country that values reason and protects liberty. I have no interest in living my life in a fascist dictatorship, which is where so many people seem eager to take reality. Without a fierce opposition to the growing/blind adoption of a "Sacrifice for the common good" golden rule, I believe my ability to thrive as a free and self-liberated human being will be destroyed. Objectivism is the only weapn against such barbarism of the mind that I have ever encountered and I intend to wield it with absolute force.

It is good to be here and I look forward to meeting other lovers of Reason.

Edited by tygorton
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Welcome to the forum!

As a sometimes tutor and someone that loves to help [rational] people learn things, I have to say that I admire your apparent reasons for wanting educate people. Education is a challenging field, but very rewarding if one is able to get the right students to watch rational minds at work. Not only is in one rational self interest to seek out rational minds and to "create" them if need be, one can learn a lot by being an educator. While preparing stuff / thinking about how to formulate things for people, I have gained many insights into ways of thinking about a problem , found some gaps in my own understanding and have been given some great questions to think about!

Definitely not altruistic for me...nor you I suspect.

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While it is painful to accept my own role in perpetuating a socialistic/mystical approach to solving "problems" in my country via movements like environmentalism, it would be far more painful to continue down the path of misguided altruism and self-depravation to the point of total mental shutdown. I accept my ignorance, I have mourned it, and now it is time to get about the work of dispelling the destructive rhetoric I have been forced to endure my entire life.

If only more people were willing to make changes with themselves like this!

Welcome to the forum.

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Thank you for the welcoming comments, they are appreciated.

Bravo! Now you've got years ahead of you acquiring and applying firsthand knowledge. Unfortunately, you will find yourself in the smallest of minorities, and that's why there is so little to be found about Objectivism on internet discussion sites. There are just very few Objectivists out there. Someday, decades from now, that may change, and perhaps you will be one of those who make it so.

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