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EdSalti

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Posts posted by EdSalti

  1. (There aren't many senior members in the Forum. I had been looking for a forum to share some of my thoughts and experiences. I have strolled around in here and seen others like me sharing their experiences and others trying to sort out what Objectivism is and how they will use it in their lives. I read THE FOUNTAINHEAD 47 years ago when I was 20 and launched into an intense study of Objectivism for the next 20 years after that. Here's what it all looks like from here.)

    As an Objectivist, you will not be hacking your way through unchartered jungle, alone but for your razor sharp machete and your battered fedora. Throughout the rest of your life, you will find yourself strolling the streets and sidewalks with the same people you walked with yesterday. You will still have a great many things in common with them and will love them or hate them, like them or dislike them, despite their philosophy, or yours.

    Objectivism is not 180 degrees or even 90 degrees out of phase with the dominant philosophy in our culture which is Christianity. In fact, if you want to put a little scrap of paper in your wallet with an objectivism on it that you can refer to in times of doubt, you can do a lot worse than: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The altruists have hijacked this little gem and perverted it to mean that you go around spring-loaded to "do good" wherever you see good needing done. Its objective interpretation is that you don't do things to other people that you wouldn't want them to do to you. Nearly all of the tenets of Objectivism fit very comfortably with The Golden Rule. Which may be why seven of the world's major religions have some version of it at the core of their doctrines.

    So the way you deal with other people will not change much when you embrace Objectivism. You will become more moral because Objectivism does not give you the escape clauses of confessing your sins to the shaman or professing your belief in Ayn Rand on your deathbed and getting absolution. As an Objectivist, you understand that you pretty much have to clean up after yourself as you go. How you apply your morality to the actions of your friends and associates is something you'll have to work out for yourself. My advice is refer to that little scrap in your wallet.

    What you can comfortably discard from the Christian load you were assigned to carry is the mysticism. George Carlin had a ten minute rant on organized religion that breaks me up every time I watch it. It's on UTube and is well-worth watching. I'm not going to try to match it in an indictment of the mysticism of Christianity. I'm guessing you have already shed that little bundle, or are in the process of doing so, or you wouldn't be reading this.

    What Objectivism will do for you is give you the certainty that you are in control of your life. Of course, things will happen to you that you have no control over; but you will have control over how you respond to them. You will understand that you are indeed worthy of the good things that come your way through your hard work and planning. You will not fret that your good fortune is the whim of some unknowable deity. For me, there is a Zen-like serenity in my relationship to the world around me. I am very comfortable with where I have been, where I am, and how I got here. That last part is very important.

    Objectivism is a thought process. It is not a rigid code of behavior. There is not an Objectivist dress code. You are not required to wax eloquent over the heroic strains of some symphony or opera. Hip-hop and rap are definitely not my cup of tea; but, if you enjoy them, wax away. Just don't make more of them than they are. What you enjoy at the art museum is not dictated to you. You have leave to decide if you like something or not. One of the great joys of Objectivism is giving yourself permission to decide for yourself what you will like and how you will behave without consulting the opinions of others.

    For those of you who are new to Objectivism, I envy your excitement of discovery. You have a marvelous tool in the Forum here where you can pose your certainties and uncertainties to a sympathetic audience. I didn't have this. I don't know if thrashing things out without it made me stronger or not. I could have done without some of the frustrations, but I like where I am now, so who knows.

    Enjoy your debates on the areas where the application of the principles of Objectivism are at variance with popular thinking. It is the way you organize your thoughts and shed your inconsistencies. If you are really interested in selling Objectivism to someone, concentrate on the similarities between it and what they believe. Not killing, not stealing, treating people with respect, being honest, are all concepts they can get behind. If you both can get behind those ideas, the god thing is less important. Unless they start demanding that you gotta believe, then you've got another issue.

    That's a very condensed version of what got me to where I am now.

    It's just my opinion, I could be wrong. ES

  2. I’m a career Army NCO, an Armoured soldier by trade. I’ve served in Canada, Germany, Bosnia (with the UN) and Kosovo (with NATO).

    AH HAA!! Now I understand your "try not to hold it against you" remark. I neglected to mention that I was an Air Force Intelligence Officer, which explains how I tracked down your intro thingy so astutely. I stumbled onto it purely by accident, of course.

    I, too, am in a mixed marriage. My wife is a retired MSgt (E-7) which should leave you with no doubt about who is in charge around here.

    I will keep an eye out for your tag. I checked in on your blog and will go back for a more serious read anon. ES

  3. Told you I'd be back.

    Thought of something that might be of interest.

    paperbackswap.com

    A site that allows you to post paperbacks you've read for other readers to request. You post 10 books and get two free credits. Sort of a signing bonus. Each credit allows you to request a book someone else has posted. They ship it to you at their expense. It's a free book. When someone requests one of your books, you ship it to them at your expense (two bucks and change, Media Rate) and you get another credit.

    Your basic on-line used book store. If you read a lot, it is a good deal.

  4. Ed Salti here. Old dude living in the Texas Hill Country. Been barging in on assorted posts here and there. Thought I should introduce myself. Love this Forum. Would have killed for something like this (in a most Objective way, of course) when I first discovered Objectivism back in Ought 61 and couldn't find anyone who gave a damn.

    Spent the next 20 years or so reading and re-reading all the fiction, non-fiction, and the Objectivist Newletter, etc. Life demanded full attention for the next 25 years or so, and I just got back into reviewing the written word. Good to be back.

    Spent most of my adult life in the Air Force. Saw a lot of the US and the rest of the world. Settled in NM for awhile but moved back to TX when we heard there were going to be grandbabies here. Two grand grandgirls in Austin. Others elsewhere, but nowhere I'd like to live.

    Got one granddaughter just turned 11. She is very bright and a voracious reader. Opinions, please. Is she just a tad young yet for Anthem? I'm thinking for her 12th birthday. Anyone?

    Age and mileage have given me an opinion on just about everything. What I don't have an opinion on, I have an opinion as to why I don't. If I barge in somewhere a bit clumsily, smite me about the head and shoulders. Age, mileage, and a long association with the military has given me a hide like a rhinoseros. I accept constructive criticism very well. I've had a lot of practice.

    See you about the campi. ES

  5. I am in the "new 40s" bracket. In Korea, when a man reached 60, he was given a delicate little hat made from horsehair and a delicate, long-stemmed pipe made of clay. The delicacy of these items symbolized his retirement from the work-a-day world and his new status as a wise elder who sat in the shade and dispensed wisdom to all who should draw near. You may consider me so hatted and so piped and so prepared to dispense. These years that have wreaked havoc on my visage have surely left me a shred of wisdom I can share. Now, if I can only remember where I put it....

    An addendum to the little humor I just added: It is very encouraging to see the number of young members in the Forum. Please realize how fortunate you are to have this venue to share your enthusiasm for Objectivism with others your age and with older Objectivists who appreciate and maybe even envy a little the excitement of discovery.

    It will be rare if you find somewhere else as receptive an ear as you find here.

  6. I am in the "new 40s" bracket. In Korea, when a man reached 60, he was given a delicate little hat made from horsehair and a delicate, long-stemmed pipe made of clay. The delicacy of these items symbolized his retirement from the work-a-day world and his new status as a wise elder who sat in the shade and dispensed wisdom to all who should draw near. You may consider me so hatted and so piped and so prepared to dispense. These years that have wreaked havoc on my visage have surely left me a shred of wisdom I can share. Now, if I can only remember where I put it....

  7. Great answers, all. A thread of commonality that I suspected had to be there. Had to chuckle, K-Mac, at your first paragraph. Occurred to me it is probably fortuante for us your boss didn't suggest you read Sun Tzu.

    My prep was the same as many of you. I was the first grandchild of two grandmothers who were widowed when I was a toddler. I got a lot of attention (read spoiled) and encouragement to think for myself. I was not popular with my Sunday school teachers and school teachers. I asked inappropriate questions.

    When I discovered Ayn Rand via a 20-year old copy of THE FOUNTAINHEAD at age 20, I was exhilerated to discover that I wasn't the only one crosswise with the world.

    Looking forward to more answers. ES

  8. Playing the newbie card again. Don't know if the question has been asked and answered, but I'm curious.

    Specifically: What happened in your life to make you receptive to Objectivism when you were introduced to it?

    Some of us discovered Ayn Rand by accident. (Me) Some were given some of her works to read in school. Some got a book from a friend or family member.

    Probably more read it and shrugged and weren't interested than those of us for whom the introduction was life-altering.

    Something set each of us up to be receptive to Ayn Rand's ideas.

    What?

    ES

  9. With some claim to geezerhood at 67, I'd like to add my two cents. I don't think age is a factor and I think intellectual laziness is the primary reason or a contributing factor.

    Most of us are taught our philosophical basics as small children until we start studying on our own. For the most part, we are taught a Christian ethic and, for the most part, it serves us pretty well. Very few non-Objectivists wallow in the negativity that goes along with total package that is Christianity. They accept that it is a good way to relate to people, they are comfortable with it, and most of them think they are pretty decent people themselves. And most of them are.

    A very small percentage of people anywhere actually make a study of the philosophy that guides their life. They accept most of the principles they were taught as children making small adjustments to accommodate changing times and seldom, if ever, think deeply about them.

    Those here in OO.N broke out of the herd somewhere along the line. Something happened to us that made our introduction to Objectivism a life-changing experience.

    (Aside: I'm new here. Has the question been asked in the Forum: What in your life set you up to be receptive to Objectivism?? I would like to see some of the answers about what makes this group different.)

    That should be about two cents worth. ES

  10. New member here. Just read the long and interesting exchange on the original question. It seems that Megan answered it succinctly and accurately first shot into the barrel.

    The body of work that might be called Randian Objectivism is indeed closed because of the death of Ayn Rand. Whether additions to this body by contributors approved by her before her death can be considered Randian Objectivism is, I suppose, a fit subject for scholastic debate.

    I have always considered Objectivism a thought process rather than a body of work. As such, it may be applied to any and all situations in the course of one's life. Most decisions do not require a sorting through one's mental catalog for validation. Some might require a pause for reflection. Occasionally, a moral or ethical dilemma might send one to the books for review and reflection.

    My introduction to Objectivism was over 45 years ago. I was an intense student for about 20 years. I haven't studied the works of Ayn Rand much since then until recently. I consider myself an Objectivist without any concern whether I'm Randian, Brandenian, Orthodox, or Reform.

    It's the thought that counts. ES

  11. Well... it is HER philosophy. Who should we quote? Gilbert Gottfried?

    Gilbert can be pretty funny at times. The point was that "we" students tend to use her phraseology instead of our own. Hence, the use of the term "homosexual" and not "gay" or "lesbian." Many discussions among Objectists seem to have an air of biblical scholars quoting scripture at each other; and I hasten to add that this one does not. ES.

  12. On a related note, I'm curious about the use of the word "homosexual" in Objectivism. That is, Objectivists seem to favor "homosexual" over the more current "gay/lesbian." I was wondering, is this intentional?

    Using "homosexual" is just as dated as using "negro" when referring to a black person -- and I'm surprised that Objectivism either hasn't caught on to this or seems to be doing this intentionally to send some sort of message. So I'm curious to hear anyone's thoughts on this matter.

    An interesting discussion. I'm new to the Forum, but a thing I have noticed is that many Objectivists have a tendency to quote Ayn Rand as Christians quote from the Bible. Rand was not completely comfortable discussing human sexuality in her novels or her essays. (Is this heresy?) She used the term "homosexual" exclusively. Her writing was before "gay" and "lesbian" were the preferred terms. Students of Objectivism who enter into philosophical discussions of sexuality are inclined to use Rand's own terminology.

    I find that the only time I ever use the term, "thug," is when I in a philosophical discussion. ES

  13. Old newby here. Why don't we get to the real issue. How many angels can boogaloo on the head of a pin?

    There is no way to logically argue the existence of god because the concept itself is illogical.

    God, Jesus, and the Christian morality is a pre-packaged guide for living one's life and explaining the injustices and uncertainties of life. If a good person in one's life is lost to illness or accident, "god's will" is a convenient device for absorbing some of the pain and rage that accompanies that loss. The Christian morality for dealing with other people is very much like the morality of other religions and all of them are basically common sense. "Not doing to other people things you don't want them doing to you" is probably as concise a guide for one to follow as you can find and fits very comfortably with the Objectivist philosophy.

    I think where most of us depart from organized religion is paying tribute to the shamans for their interpretations of the divine plan and their intercessions with The Man or The Woman on our behalf. Somewhere along the line, someone taught those of us in this discussion how to think for ourselves and we tiptoed out of the church when the BS began to reach our boot tops.

    My advice to the young person who launched this thread. when asked to prove that god doesn't exist, is to ask "You accept on faith that God exists, don't you?"

    The answer almost certainly will be, "Yes."

    Your reply is, "Well, I can't argue with that."

    Which, of course, you can't. Their end argument is essentially, "Becasue my daddy said so; and my daddy can whip your daddy."

    Aguing about how to argue the point is getting just a little esoteric, don't you think? ES

  14. Brand newby here. I'm 67. When I was 20, I was visiting my folks. I had been out with a friend one evening. Needed something to read for a few minutes before I went to sleep. Found an old book in the top of their guestroom closet. I remember thinking, "This will put me to sleep in no time." When my mother got up at 6:30 the next morning, I was still propped up in bed reading. The book was THE FOUNTAINHEAD. I was an avid student for the next 20 years. Obnoxiously intense at the start with the fervor of the newly converted, but less so as time went on. Have not studied much in the last 20-odd years, but recently started reviewing the philosophy that was my guidance all of my adult life. ES.

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