W.C.Meyer
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Posts posted by W.C.Meyer
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I haven't read enough AR yet to be sure, but I was re-reading Galt's speech recently and this sentence seemed particularly poignant: "If you permit it to be done, you deserve it." To me it encapsulates individualism. It reminds me that I am capable of taking on the world, and winning.
Do you have a favorite quote? Why?
If it's already in your profile, feel free to explain your reason.
I'm not entirely sure how it goes; but I always loved a paragraph from AS that when something like "...and the earth is littered with mangled cripples, who don't know what has hit them or why...and the traffic cops of morality chortle and say that man, by his nature, is unable to walk".
It's my favorite not for its content, but how Rand wrote it.
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And here's the dirty little secret, or dirty big secret: When you look at the input of the ObamaNostra crowd The "mob" doesn't give a Rigellian rat's rear.
Obama had a $MUS400+ (I think it was $M600) war chest that he used against the pathetic McCain and only wone by 5 or 6 points. depending on who you listen to
Last week, according to Rush Limbaugh, Zogby had Obama at "50/50" approval rating down from 75+% just two months prior. This looks like a case of Obama fatigue and his telprompter doesn't get it.
When the bad guys organized a trip to CT and the homes of the AIG execs. according to WCBS on that Saturday. they got a whopping 35-40 warm bodies to show up. Now that's a real seething mob for you.
This is what you call laboring mightily and bringing forth a paramecium; and a dwarf paramecium at that.
The university-media-totalitarian complex has to keep the drumbeat up to save face. Even if I were sympathetic to them, I wouldn't touch this bunch with a 10-foot Cylon for fear of being (correctly) lumped in with not-ready-for-prime-time interstellar-class losers.
It's not that this isn't very impressive, it's that it is very impressive. Someone better teach these clowns the heimlich maneuver and it's uses to prevent mondo-sized chokes.
Your presentation is great.
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Have I ever tried working out to Tchaikovsky? Of course not; I hold music in a much higher regard than backround noise to drown out the grunts around me
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Is it just me, or is the shadowing on the earth not quite right?
Other than that, quite nice.
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Seconded.
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It's 6.30 in the morn' here right now; I'm getting ready for school.
This never would have happened in highschool; I was notoriously absent, and barely made it through due to absence and tardy. But, I valued my future enough to straighten up, so that in the years to come, I would get up and go to class because I really want to. That's the case now; I can't wait to get to class on time and play in a baroque quintet.
Point is, had I not cleaned up my act, I would not be in the position to enjoy an education. So: put in your time at highschool. I know it sucks; we've all been there; we've all gotten through it.
Good luck, get to class on time, learn something, and shake the pillars of heaven.
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Gotten to school on time.
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Hmmm...
I suppose that there's nothing inherently 'wrong' or 'bad' about his music. It's just very dull.
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I liked your movie - quite funny and well done (considering the budget).
I'm going to try to get my credit union friends to watch it.
As far as anti-capitalist propaganda - hardly.
Look at some of the credit union ads on TV if you want examples of that.
You didn't say "credit unions want to help you - banks want to make a profit off you".
(Of course, the more a bank helps you, the more business they get and the more profit they make).
I suppose it's a little misleading to say that non-profit means lower interest on loans and higher returns on investments, but its not necessarily false; it depends on how it's done.
Good luck - I hope you win !
Much thanks.
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Answer me, Jake Ellison.
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The reason I'm not doing it is because I think it's pointless. It's not realistic to try and teach Objectivism on a forum. Read Atlas Shrugged and The Virtue of Selfishness first, then you can join the conversation on our interpretation of it.
Even then it's mostly just for fun, there's very little you can actually learn on an open forum where good ideas are mixed in with bad ones. How would a student know which are the good ideas? Not exactly an ideal place for learning.
This seems like a cop-out. I'm asking for you to clarify where your remarks about my ignorance and anti-capitalism are coming from.
*Edit for punctuation.
You made the video, right?So what should we assume? That you believe as the video states, and you are simply mistaken, or that you do not believe what you said in the video, and are dishonest?
Better to be ignorant than immoral. Ignorance is easily curable with education.
According to Jake Ellison, this is no place for education.
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Anyone? I would appreciate clarification as to what in that video was anti-Capitalist and contradictory to Objectist ideals, so as to correct such mistakes and not allow them to happen in the future.
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Maybe this has already been said, but, perhaps eating right and excercising?
(and don't tell me it's not that simple)
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Also, saying that crdeit unions are better because there is no profit motive is anti-Capitalist propaganda. I think it's dishonorable that you asked us to support you with that, knowing full well how we feel about it.
Obviously, it's not a big deal, but an opportunity to learn something about morality.
Have you heard of something called the trader principle? Perhaps you should read up on that before going starting out in the world with a pragmatist and selfish attitude which you mistakenly think is just as good as Ayn Rand's principled selfish morality.
The trader principle means that businessmen (and regular people), seek to only enter into mutually beneficial deals, for reasons that are absolutely selfish and rational, in the long term. What exactly is our profit in watching this video, which attacks something we believe in so strongly: the profit motive ?
I don't remember saying that; I remember saying that you get higher returns on investment accounts. In fact, I don't know of any anti-capitalist statement in that video. Point my anti-capitalist comments out to me, and I will apologize for my partaking in the contest.
Don't state things that aren't your belief.I actually wish to retract my former statement, as there is no content in that video that would discredit me or any beliefs I may hold. Point out the bad philosophy in the video if you will.
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Also, saying that crdeit unions are better because there is no profit motive is anti-Capitalist propaganda. I think it's dishonorable that you asked us to support you with that, knowing full well how we feel about it.
Obviously, it's not a big deal, but an opportunity to learn something about morality.
Have you heard of something called the trader principle? Perhaps you should read up on that before going starting out in the world with a pragmatist and selfish attitude which you mistakenly think is just as good as Ayn Rand's principled selfish morality.
The trader principle means that businessmen (and regular people), seek to only enter into mutually beneficial deals, for reasons that are absolutely selfish and rational, in the long term. What exactly is our profit in watching this video, which attacks something we believe in so strongly: the profit motive ?
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Don't assume that anything stated in that video is a reflection of my beliefs; I need the money, and it's that simple. I posted it here to get the views, not to run over the contents of C:UI.
I can understand the pragmatist statement (though, I will have to disagree), and I was torn about putting it on here. At the end of the day, however: I'm willing to look like a pragmatist for three and a half minutes if it means making it through university (granted, I could make it through somehow, and I have been; but it's getting more and more difficult to work my through college).
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I was torn about doing this; why ask for help on an Objectivist forum? But then I was thinking about the nature of altruism, and helping me here would not only help to support someone financially while attending university, but requires no sacrifice (save a minute or two of your time).
Anyways, I've made a video for a contest offering a cash prize of $5,000 to the video with the most hits. The topic: credit unions. Perhaps it's a dispicable topic, but I'm hard up for cash, and that $5,000 would pay for around a years worth of rent while I persue my degrees in music composition/double-bass performance.
Take it as you will; I hope I don't get a warning. Here's a link for those of you feeling a little altruistic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0skwNkuhX2U
Thanks to anyone who takes the time.
-WC
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So this thread doesn't run into the ground:
What piece of music/composer do you folks think would best represent Objectivism? Because Rand stated Rachmaninoff as her composer of choice, I think that he gets more play around here.
The more I listen to Sibelius, the more I think that his particular brand of Romanticism is true to an Objectivist's sense of life.
As a side, who here is familiar with Mussorgsky? I'm beginning to think that his "Great Gates of Kiev" from "Pictures at an Exhibition" (as orchestrated by Ravel) would make for one hell of an anthem for rational men. Something to be played at the burial of capitalism.
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Yeh, just gave the 3rd a listen. Didn't really do anything for me. So far, the 2nd is my favorite by a country mile. Oozes emotion and power in certain parts.
Perhaps we're analyzing in differant manners; I listen to the 3rd and hear perfect structure. From a theory standpoint, his third is by far the best planned. For raw emotion, I'd say the 2nd, and more so the 1st take the cake.
The way in which the main theme is played out in the first movement in the 3rd is stunningly well crafted.
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I wasn honestly thinking about posting that youtube video again; but it seems too easy.
Point is, you can defend Schoenberg for whatever reason you want, but don't use Objectivism as your source material.
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Just to let you guys know, I'm actually preferring Sibelius' 2nd to his 1st at the moment. Seems to be a bit more melodic.
Interesting. Of all Sibelius symphonies, the 2nd is my least favorite. I'm going to have to go back and listen closer.
Just wait till you get to the 3rd!
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Just bought Sibelius' symphonies 1 to 4. Will let you guys know what I think.
The Paavo Berglund recordings? I own that particular cd set.
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I definitely second the recommendation for Sibelius's 1st symphony. I am unfamiliar with the 3rd, but can recommend the Karelia suite as well. I am less enthused with Finlandia, in my recollection it doesn't seem to cohere to a theme.
I'm not sure why that particular piece has gained so much popularity; you're correct in your statement that it has no coherent theme. I do believe it's success is in it's treatment of 'nationalism'. Finlandia, I'd venture, is the epitome of the nationalist movement which had, was, and still would, take place in Europe in the musical scene.
I'm glad Sibelius was brought up; I've fallen in love witht he first again. The man's symphonic form is impeccable, and his sonority is entirely his own.
In regards to The Rite; I don't recommend that piece to many, and I, myself, have my misgivings about the piece. In terms of tonality, it is either nonsensical or totally lacking (though it has sections of pure brilliance). In terms of rhythm, and above all, orchestral coloring, I'd say that The Rite is one of those timeless pieces sure to turn a few heads (more often than not, towards the exit).
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I actually like the 2nd movement especially. I'm a sucker for a great adagio.
Here's all the music I've bought in the past few months since my classical music addiction began: http://www.grantshapiro.com/playlist.gif
Let me know if you think I'm missing any critical pieces
And yeh, I have a few duplicates of the pieces I love.I saw no Sibelius on there. Tisk tisk. I highly recommend his 1st and 3rd symphonies, as well as his violin concerto. Judging by some of the other material on that list, you'll fall in love with him, start to finish.
I have a differant taste, and I wouldn't recommend my likes to the passive listener, but if you want a work out in your listening, I highly recommend the Prokofiev Piano Concerti 1-3, and Stravinsky's Firebird (and for a very adventurous listener, The Rite of Spring).
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What about people who like Schoenberg? Would you say, "that's their taste, it's not our business", or would you say they have a "malevolent sense of life", or what?
It's not my business; at least it wouldn't have been had people not praised it as genius. I need to put my foot down on absurdity at some point; and Schoenberg and his ilk bring it out of me.
Prosletyzing versus good food
in Ethics
Posted
The real question here: what are you doing in a sushi bar?
You could put a sushi menu on a giant poster of Ayn Rand and Thomas Jefferson holding hands; I'd still walk across the street to get a steak.