Neo

I'm a 26 year old male from a city in the north of England (the heartland of ultra left socialism unfortunately) who has been keenly interested in most of the subjects dealt with in Ayn Rand's novels (aesthetics, politics, philosophy, and economics) since I was in secondary school. I only discovered Ayn Rand a year ago, since I've never been particularly keen on reading novels (I prefer nonfiction). However, I adore The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged made an even bigger impression on me. I'm slowly working through all of her nonfiction writing trying to take it all in and make sure I thoroughly think through every point made. I'm a tradesperson working in a specialist field (I won't say which one just yet... though it's nothing dodgy ) although I'm currently at a crossroads thinking about a career change. Outside of work, I spend most of my time reading/thinking, discussing ideas, weight lifting, playing and writing music (mostly light, melodic jazz), sometimes offering help to people in the local community (only those who would benefit from it due to bad luck or unfortunate circumstances and never as a moral duty - my help is only given when I can afford to extend my hand to those currently in a worse financial situation or in bad health). The sense of life in the novels is what I really relate to, perhaps even more than the intellectual arguments, because I always shared her view of man (although when I was younger I sometimes questioned whether my outlook could be the right one when so many people around me had the opposite sense of life). I have always held myself to highest possible standards morally, intellectually, in my dealings with people, as an employee and as a musician. I could never fully comprehend why I was so viciously attacked by some for this, until reading Ayn Rand, Eric Hoffer, Theodore Dalrymple, Friedrich Hayek, Ludwig Von Mises and other like-minded thinkers. I have concluded that what people really want in life is to live well and prosper, but a substantial number of them hate the amount of effort it takes to achieve things. Anyone who tries to rise above the herd must be attacked, not just out of envy, but because it makes these resentful losers look even more lazy and stupid by comparison. Rather than trying to better themselves and make the most of their lives, they prefer to drag down anyone who is intelligent, motivated, happy and successful (look at how they pick apart Ayn Rand's biography, desperately trying to find whatever character flaw they think undermines her entire life's work). They'd prefer a doctrine that denies that hard work is necessary and, unfortunately, there are many people around to support them in their belief that being humble, "chilled out", irreverent, immature and intellectually incurious is a perfectly acceptable way to live. I know I'm not as intelligent or successful as Ayn Rand's heroes, but that doesn't bother me. I'm too busy being myself. When I see a guitarist who is more technically skilled than I am (to give a somewhat personal example), if what they are playing is musically interesting, I usually find it inspiring. I love myself and I don't let others who may be superior in certain attributes spoil that self-love. I see Ayn Rand's heroes as brilliant role models that we can use to motivate us to fulfill our potential. From all that I have read and observed in my life, I believe that the envy of the lazy/unmotivated and their irrational desire to blame others for their own stupid choices is what has caused the societal push towards collectivism and is thus in a large part to blame for the cultural and economic decline of the west. While some leftists might be well-meaning but misguided, I refuse to stand by and let them make such mistakes anymore (it's too late in the game for that). I try my best to educate everyone I can about Ayn Rand's philosophy, hopefully in a way that doesn't alienate them and that encourages them to think critically and learn more about it. This is the internet age and the truth can be found in a few mouseclicks as long as people are willing to pursue it. I see no good reason why thoughtful, critical-thinking people won't get there in the end. I'm happy to have found this forum. I wouldn't call myself an objectivist or a student of objectivism (I've never liked labels anyway), but I have questions about the philosophy and I'm sure I will agree with people here about a lot of things. I will probably lurk for a week or two, read through some old threads before getting involved in any discussions.