Sabre

Non-spoiler post -- Just go see it!

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/media/wall-street-apocalypse-finances-doom-and-gloom-crowd/19506748/ And apparently a book too. I haven't read the book so I don't know what all it says about her. But I find it odd that the author of the article assumes their are tons of Objectivists on Wall Street. I work in the finance industry and can tell you that's not the case.

Can you sum your paper's point up in one or two sentences?

They could need genes, or just feel like destroying us before we become a threat to them or they could just be insane. You never know what you're getting with a n unimaginable group of beings with the capabilities of traveling faster than the speed of light.

Well Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia still conquered and killed with advanced technologies (for their time) that they came up with themselves, stole from other nations or forced someone else into making.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/scie...icle7107207.ece Hawking does have a point. Intelligent life could be very hostile and advanced enough to wipe us out before we knew what hit us. On the other hand, they could be reasonable and want to trade and learn from us. However, it's an interesting thought to think about. Until we are capable of defending ourselves from such a threat, hiding in our little corner of the universe might be the best thing to do. Thoughts?

Could it be possible that all these "Tea Party" movements and the hodge-podge of "small government" advocates springing up lately aren't actually effective in anyway without a deeper philosophical and psychological base for their loud proclamation of their semi-baked beliefs? I'm beginning to think so. I think that this "movement" will loose steam quickly without any solid principles to base it off of, something conservatives have no ability to do. It's just my thoughts. What does this board think? Is the "Tea Party" movement shallow?

'Tis why I avoid chat rooms. Discussions always grate down into unnecessary drama.

I know of a lot of poets and poetry, however I want some recommendations as I'd like to just pick stuff up and start reading it. What is everyones favorite poets and poems? I have poems I like and love, but this thread isn't talking about what I already like, just to see what this community likes and too find novel poems to explore.

How long have you been reading Rand? How long ago was it when you decided you were going to be a student of Objectivism?

Because it cuts deep. Some people don't know how to deal with that. You don't wake up one day, stare at the ceiling and become a calm & impartial man. Emotions have a tendency to influence you. Especially when someone or something insults you deeply. Any "Objectivist" takes Objectivism very seriously, down to the fiber of their being. Insulting that rattles those fibers. Which turns to anger. Which needs an outlet. Which means you take your anger and spill it out amongst people who would also feel that anger. Which, hopefully, alleviates one of the anger. Not everyone can say "I don't think of you." It takes time.

Well, my point exactly. I thought we've gotten over a lot of this stuff. It looks like we are slipping back into. If only slightly. It's not a good thing and frankly I'm frustrated by the way the loudest people are carrying themselves. Frustrated enough in the instances above -- which you know are only the tip of the iceberg -- to rouse me from my impartiality to the entire debacle. (The rest of that iceberg being all of the noise generated since Barack Obama was nominated). But I guess I'll just go back to being impartial because if as you say, this is the norm, then I don't want that much to do with this norm. Who does? If we all sat on our hands and let the worst lead us... well I'm sure we'll be fine. I'm sure one day they will stop screaming like children and realize the errors of the their ways while simultaneously embracing a more gentlemen-like approach to disagreements and conflict. It's going to happen. Any day now.

When did it get so bad that people can't even agree on disagreeing with each other. The only thing anyone seems capable of in the mainstream of politics is wishing harm on the other side. I wonder if our culture is devolving into barbarism. Below are two links from both sides, that's my evidence. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard...eck-and-oreilly http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2...for_obama_.html

Say what you will, but that skit about feminism was brilliant.

I imagine an Atlas Shrugged movie having the same effect as walking around with pictures and quotes from Ayn Rand at Tea Party protests. Which is go give idiots excuses to take it everything out of context and use it for self-righteous self-aggrandizement.

"latte-drinking, tax-hiking, liberal sissies" Such hyperbolic language is unproductive and unnecessary. Walk a higher path.

I haven't turned on the news yet, but I'm going to go ahead and assume that in the next week everyone with an opinion on anything is going to use this man as a way of blaming everyone they disagree with for all the problems they've ever had. That's how it's been for years now. It's sickening. This entire ordeal is just a clear and present sign of the times. Sobering.

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy...n-has-died.html I don't like wishing death on people but for his ideas and his success in promoting them I say, good riddance.

That's a good way of explaining that. I don't think people will analysis this as much as people on this board or other thinkers. They basically see the shallow aesthetics -- humans, with guns, ships, civilization is BAD; tribal, primitive, mystic aliens are GOOD. If Cameron wanted to be pro-freedom or whatever, he could choice to use different characters and a different settings. He choose what he did for a reason. He's an open advocate of environmentalism. This is his way of presenting it. Romanticized to utopia as always.

So has anyone seen the movie?

You're either being sarcastic or you're trolling. But as far as the visuals of Avatar goes, it does look amazing and I'll give props to the team and individuals behind all that. Also, on the discussion of real life versus CGI I think CGI can definitely enhance a film, but I think sometimes it's too heavily relied on. I'd also like to see more all CGI action films. I think a lot can be achieved with animation other then kids stuff. One thing I like about Avatar is that it takes that attitude. Although it presents something not very good plot wise. Hopefully we will see something in the future as visually advanced without a horrid plot and premise. Maybe I'll make something.

(Good thing a friend of mine sent me this link. Can't find it on Youtube. ) http://marvel.com/news/moviestories.10674....ailer_now~excl~ The trailer starts with Stark defending his property against the government taking it. The villian is presented with an anti-industrialist mentality as well (Whiplash). I think everyone here can get behind this. I'm psyched!

You guys are totally stupid! You don't know anything about this movie. The blue people are more advanced than us. They advanced so much, that they just look less advanced. But we humans are so primitive and dumb with our space travel and ability to clone that we can't see how advanced and right these aliens are. The movie is right. You guys are so stupid you can't see that! BECAUSE HUMANS ARE STUPID AND BLUE TRIBALISTIC FURRIES ARE SO MUCH BETTER!

I've been following the development of this film for a while. I can fully agree it's pretty much "anti-capitalist, anti-man" propoganda. I'm really not too keen on throwing out those labels too easily, but this deserves it. It's one of the most expensive movies ever made too. So, honestly I hope it fails and fails hard. The CGI does look amazing and applaud it. But I won't sanction the most advance technology being used to promote the most advanced anti-technology philosophy. Ironic, though, isn't it?

How broad are you talking here? The U.S., the Western world or the whole world?