Aesthete

When explaining Ayn Rand’s ethical theory to my students, I use terms like “rational selfishness” or “objective self-interest,” or some combination like that because of the way self-interest is treated by today’s ethicists. I’ve been a TA for instructors and read articles where self-interest is almost exclusively defined in terms of desire-satisfaction (no matter how irrational) or as the pursuit of the agent’s values (where value is subjectively defined). So, I always differentiate Rand’s view from those views, and that’s why I frequently qualify my use of the term “selfish” or “self-interest” – at least in the classroom. If you want examples or anecdotes, I’d be happy to discuss them via PM.

Perhaps it depends on the circumstances, but I've noticed with other students (and have been allowed myself) a great deal of fluidity in completing the program. I completed the first three years, took two years off becasue I was busy with my grad school coursework, and I'm starting up my fourth year this fall. It's also very common to have a different students in your class each year - there were a lot of students in my first year classes. By my third year, there were only a handful of students - only three of us from the same incoming class. Taking OAC classes is extremely valuable and rewarding. I highly recommend applying.

I think giving a girl gifts is a wonderful idea - not right off the bat, but after you've gotten to know each other somewhat, and only after you have some evidence that she's interested in you. Receiving a gift from someone I'd never shown interest in would creep me out a bit. While I've never been particularly enamored by flowers, they are certainly NOT a turn-off. Personally, I prefer gifts that have more permanence. I first met my husband at an Objectivist conference, and we were long-distance email/phone friends before we started dating. Even when we were just friends, we would send each other gifts - like our favorite CDs or DVDs. After we started dating, he bought jewelry for me because he knew that I love jewelry. Gifts like these mean a lot to me, because he cared enough to discover my values and act on that knowledge. As for cockiness, I also find it completely unattractive. Being confident, on the other hand, is very attractive. A confident man doesn't care who else thinks he's great - a cocky man does. I agree with KindredAmy: cockiness is thoroughly second-handed. I wouldn't have given my husband the time of day if he'd followed the advice given by some of the guys in the older thread you referenced.

Oh, I love "Wedlock"! Really lovely work! The sculptor has a nice little glossy brochure (24 pages) that I bought a few years ago for $8 (click here).

He certainly is talented, but his themes are a bit too melancholy for me personally (from what I saw on his website).

Thanks for posting, Sophia - you have great taste!! I was fortunate enough to see "Fisherman's Daughter" in person at the Viselaya Sculpture Exhibit in 2005. It's a huge work! My personal favorite of Faraut's was another one that I saw at Viselaya, called "Spring": I also love "Stella Nova":

Wow, thanks Sophia! Those are beautiful! I see on his website that he is the brother of the sculptor EvAngelos Frudakis, who did "The Signer" in Philadelphia (one of my favorites): And EvAngelos' son, Anthony Frudakis, is also a figurative sculptor: What an amazing family!

Romantic Realist painter Theo van Oostrom has prints of his work available for under $40. I own "Prime Mover," "Reaching Higher," and "Living It." The quality of the prints is quite good. His website is here.