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Everything posted by realitycheck44
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Hey, some moderator will move this into it's own thread. But I figured I'd respond anyway, since I'm not doing anything at the moment. First of all- Welcome! I assume English is your second language? It's quite good. No, the term "Objectivist" applies to anybody who has an adequate understanding of the philosophy and agrees with everything he/she has read. But then there's the term "student of Objectivism".... well there's plenty of threads in which this is discussed. I'll let you form you own opinion. One of the tenents of Objectivism is that there is no difference between the moral and the practical. Because objective reality is the standard for morality, the moral has to be practical in order for it to be considered moral. I've never found it to be difficult either. Happy readings! Zak
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But what makes you think that? Have you actually tried it? Again, what allows you to make that sort of evaluation? Because they make it look easy? Zak
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No, your probably not, but that doesn't make you any more right. I'm a skier too. I've been skiing for fourteen years. Have you actually skied the pipe? Have you raced? What allows you make that sort of judgment call? Riding the pipe takes just as much skill as anything else. (Actually big mountain skiing probably takes the most skill of any type of skiing, but you don't even see that in the Olympics.) Halfpipe is an extremely hard event because its all about calculating angles and speed. You not only have to worry about how high you can go to throw your trick, but how far down the pipe you'll need to go in order to land in the vert (as opposed to on the deck or in the flat). Also, in order to keep speed, you need to pump the transition, which in itself is hard to master. Another overlooked aspect is that to ride the pipe you need to carve up the wall on your edges, but release the tension held in the ski/board when it's flat or you wind up way, way off balance. The timing itself is hard to master because you have to carve UP the wall, while preparing to go DOWN the pipe. You should try it sometime. The first time you air completely out of the pipe is one of the scariest, most elated feelings in the world. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that halfpipe is any better than downhill skiing. In fact, if I were to rank the skiing competitions on difficulty and danger, I'd go with Downhill, then Halfpipe, then Giant Slalom, and so forth. Snowboarders are no more jerks than skiers are. In fact, most of my friends are snowboarders. Again, what qualifies you to make a statement of that magnitude? Granted, lots of snowboarders annoy me. But then again lots of skiers do to. Especially the ones that make wide sweeping turns across the whole slope without looking uphill. It doesn't matter what sport you do- skiing, snowboarding, telemarking, hell even snow kayaking is fine with me- as long as you're happy, having fun, and you stay out of my way. Zak PS: When are they going to add skiers halfpipe? The FIS is finally allowing inverts into the mogul comps , hopefully we'll see a skiing halfpipe competition in the 2010 Olympic Games.
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Okay Ravane, after staring at it a while longer, you're right. Keep the eyes. But also, I noticed the hands could be little... daintier. Right now they remind me of the Seinfeld episode with the "man hands". Oh, and is that bracelet supposed to be the one of Rearden Metal? Because I believe that was a chain-link one. Zak
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Yes, I think that the eyes should be lighter, and I also think that the hair should be a little less... poufy? big? I don't know exactly, but I don't especially like the hair. Though, obviously, if you do, by all means keep it the way it is. I imagine Dagny a bit differently, though I couldn't draw her or even convey what I think she would look like. But the drawing is very nicely done. I hope you continue posting as you make changes, additions, and maybe add color. Thanks for sharing this. Maybe you could do one of Dominique? Zak
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Thank you, Unconquered, for pointing this out. I wondered, while reading it, when someone was going to. Also note, that money, by itself, does not make someone happy. As Christmas is approaching, I am noticing this more and more. What do I want: to get a 4.0 (pulling 3.9), get an internship, score exceptionally well on my SATs, etc - all things that money cannot buy! Sure, a car would be nice, but I'd give up the nicest car in the world to accomplish my goals. My point is: why should I give a thought to how much money someone inherited? They didn't steal it from me. It's not like there is a limited amount of money in the world. I know I will be infinitely happier than the playboy who squanders millions. I don't see why people need to measure money. Why does it matter how much money a neighbor, brother, or good friend has? However, I think people need to measure money (if they wish to measure it at all), not by how much they have, or even how much they've gained, but by what percent they have increased. If I start with ten dollars and make $50, and you start with $100 and make $200, who makes more money? Who has the better business? Ultimately, it doesn't matter how much you start with, only how much you increase from that. Zak
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I didn't post any links or pictures, so here's a few. Diane Kruger http://www.wrc-wallpaper.de/Diane.html And Liriodendron, I don't understand what men find so sexy about Angelina Jolie either. To each his own, I suppose. Zak
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As a straight male, I find Adrien Brody attractive in that manly sense. I hope you guys know what I'm talking about. It's like, he's what I think a man should look like. He does seem to "ooze this air of confidence". I really liked him in The Pianist. Zak
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My favorites (actresses): Diane Kruger- she hasn't been mentioned, as far as I saw, but she was very attractive in National Treasure. Charlize Theron- The Italian Job: need I say more? Kiera Knightly And as for Angelina Jolie, I vote thumbs down. I don't think she is even remotely hot. Not even close. She's just so weird, and I don't like her acting. She really doesn't do anything for me. There are probably more, but I can't think of any at the moment. Zak
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Help me w/ the woman of my "dreams"?
realitycheck44 replied to chicoflaco's topic in Relationships, Love, Sex, Romance
Yes, as a man, I agree completely. Why in the world would you want to send the message that you were interested in someone else just two weeks later? What would you think if a girl did this to you? If I was semi-interested in a girl but wasn't sure if she was right for me, and I wouldn't be the least interested in her if she started seeing another guy right away. My advice is to be formally polite to her. She already knows you're interested, so ignoring her (in moderation) is okay. Zak -
Distress At School
realitycheck44 replied to Daniel Giterman's topic in School, College and Child development
Two questions: Is your next essay going to be in class too? What the hell is "profit motive"? I absolutely wouldn't glorify Sweden. I'd either just write another one about capitalism, or do as Tea says, and mock her. Something along the lines of "Sweden is so great. No wonder they're such a world super-power!" would be quite funny. Also, I'd bring the topic back to rights. All liberals love their "human rights". Well, say something about where rights come from, how they apply to everyone, and how a government based on rights is the only legitimate kind. Then, you can bring in laissez-faire capitalism. I'm actually writing an essay somewhat close to this for my English class also. My teacher is a self-proclaimed "liberal, femininist, tree-hugger" but she also reconizes good writing and good arguments. By the way, I would call a conference with your teacher. Just talk with her about the fairness of her grading system and tell her you want to know why you did so poorly, when the other essay did so well. You could punch as many holes in the arguments of the 100% essay as she can try to in yours. And ask her how it is "off topic" to refute a basic false-dichonomy in the question. If your essay is out of class and you want me to edit it, just PM me. I'll be happy to look at it. Zak -
One of me on a backpacking trip. It was cold and I just woke up. And at homecoming in October. I'm in white.
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What order should the O'ism books be read in?
realitycheck44 replied to Michelangelo's topic in Questions about Objectivism
I would suggest The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged first. Though, if the person is under fifteen, go with Anthem. Anthem is great for those who aren't ready for The Fountainhead or Atlas, but it's also a great book to come back to after reading her longer works. For non-fiction, I would say start with VOS, as it lays the framework for CUI. One that hasn't been mentioned is The Voice of Reason. I highly recommend this as for those that have read of Rand's fiction and at least one non-fiction. Though, that's just my take on things. I love getting people Atlas for Christmas, though I'm not sure if I should start giving out The Fountainhead too. I can't tell who would like it more and who would like Atlas more. Zak -
How do I cope with a negative social environment?
realitycheck44 replied to Lancifer's topic in Questions about Objectivism
So you don't believe that Roark is possible in real life? What she found out- through Roark- was that evil is metaphysically impotent. Now you need to discover this for yourself. If you need help, open a new thread and ask the question. I'm sure others far more qualified than me will provide you with a detailed answer. Zak -
Do people have the right to be immoral?
realitycheck44 replied to NewYorkRoark's topic in Questions about Objectivism
In a perfect world, roads would be privatized and thus the owner of the road would determine what speed is safe for travel. (Though I myself have some questions about this, but it deserves another thread. So don't bring up examples in an attempt to refute it here please. ) Zak -
I have to add a disclaimer. I wrote this essay for AP English (I'm a junior in high school), but I don't like the overall negative tone. Normally, I wouldn't let such people bother me, but without them there is no contrast of personalities and no conflict. I didn't notice the negative tone until the end, and it was too late to do anything about it. Upon reflection, doing away with the tone would not work for the paper as well. So, I'll just have to write another one to show how much I value people like me. Zak
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The Fire Inside I check my watch as I leave the office. 2:34 A.M., the scratched surface reads. I cross the deserted, half-lit reception hall, my shoes echoing sharply against the marble floor. I notice a young man dressed in suit pants and a slim brown jacket walking briskly towards me. He notices me the instant I do him. There is no trace of fear or humility in his glance, only a frank honesty coupled with arrogance, made all the more mocking because of its indifference. A sharp nose dominates his angular face. His prominent lower lip contrasts with his rather thin upper one, giving him the appearance of having an eternally frozen half-smile: a hard, uncomfortable, contemptuous expression. He looks too happy and walks too purposefully to be like any of the other men walking down the street at half past two in the morning. I realize it’s my reflection. I continue through the revolving doors, turn the corner, and begin my brisk walk to the train station. The night air works like caffeine. I turn my collar up and draw my jacket closer toward me, thrusting my hands into pockets. My brain finally leaves the office at the sight of the city lights and what they stand for. Thwarting gravity, skyscrapers reach up toward the heavens. Light streams from the buildings, illuminating the sky and banishing the primeval darkness, making the stars above a humble second thought. Man has said “let there be light”. How can some say this makes them feel small and insignificant? As I gaze up towards the lights, I smile involuntarily, overcome with emotion. Man’s mind- my mind- makes all of this possible. The rest of the city is sleeping, but I am alive. Melancholy starts to set in, but only for a second. The rest of the city is sleeping. Don’t they get it? All they do is sleep. Don’t they get it? Doesn’t anybody get it? But, I realize, they don’t need to get it. I get it. They can’t stop me. I have four hours before I will go back. I can’t sleep. I lay awake staring at the ceiling – a whiteboard filled with calculations. Where did I go wrong? There is an answer: every problem has an answer. I simply need to find it! “Zak?” says the oddly familiar voice into my ear. “Yes?” “What happened to your customary ‘Hello this is Zak’ greeting?” the sarcastic voice on the opposite end retorts. “That only applies before midnight,” I laugh, instantly recognizing my best high school friend. “Hello Steven” “What? It’s past midnight? You don’t sound tired.” “It’s after three. I’m just leaving the office,” I say, not realizing I already have. “You’re joking right? Zak, you can’t do that. It’s not right; it’s not normal,” he chides, as if the two have some sort of correlation. I don’t respond. “Sorry for calling so late; I completely spaced out. Anyway, are you coming to the 10th year anniversary?” “Whose anniversary?” I reply, trying to recall who he could possibly be talking about. “Oh, you know,” he says patiently, almost sweetly, “the high school reunion.” “Probably not…no. Why?” “You really need to go. You haven’t been since… Zak you’ve never been to a reunion.” “There’s a reason for that.” Silence. “They bore me,” I say delicately, exhausted from trying to explain this over and over again. Silence greets me once more. ___________ Two weeks and another phone call from Steven later, and I find myself standing in front of a hotel mirror, scrambling to be downstairs before dinner starts. Having forgotten the invitation, I am not entirely sure of the dress code. I decide to go with my old standby- a slim-fitting grey suit and white shirt. The ring of a hotel phone interrupts me. I answer, half annoyed at the interruption, half glad at the excuse to abandon the tie. “Are you coming or what? Everyone else has been here for ages.” “I’m almost ready.” “You said that an hour ago,” Steven retorts. “I got side tracked. I almost figured it out though. I need to transfer the pressure off the – ” “Zak! I don’t care. Just hurry up.” ____________ The drone of voices reaches my ears even before I enter the reception room. The violent red drapes in the exquisite ballroom lift my spirits, and excitement starts to creep in. It might be nice to see how everyone is doing: to talk about my job and to hear about theirs. Maybe it will be different than I originally expected; maybe they have changed. I chide myself for assuming the worst. Maybe they care now. Maybe people will talk about things that matter. Then maybe I will care. With that thought, I stroll into the room. People have already formed into little circles, just like ten years ago. This works for me, as I am not especially interested in talking to the majority of the people. I try to stay out of the way with the simple logic that if they don’t notice me, maybe I won’t have to talk to them. As I cross the room, people start moving in. They greet me and start talking. I start thinking about the office- is it managing okay without me? My mind drifts over to my current project: my new submarine hull design isn’t quite right- isn’t quite good enough. The mention of my name brings me back from heaven. I stare at the person in surprise. He seems to lose the words he meant to say. Finally, he mumbles something about what I think of a new actress’s relationship. The truth is, I don’t. When I look around the room, all I can see are faces that are bored- bored with this party, bored with their jobs, bored with their lives. I realize that not once so far has anyone said anything. Everyone is content on talking about the same droll topics they usually do. It is as if they expect the fancy clothes and the brilliant drapes to make the evening special, not the other way around. Why am I the one deemed “heartless” when they are the ones incapable of feeling? I am suffocating from their lack of caring. Don’t you want to be happy? I want to scream. Don’t you want to live? Why don’t you just THINK! All I want is a sign of purpose, of passion, of life, of self, from someone… anyone. But whenever I start talking about what I care about- ideas and my job- I get blank looks from all around until one of them decides to continue on about some mundane subject. Somebody makes a remark about being too selfish. I stare incredulously. These people are the epitome selflessness, but not in the way they intend. In what act or thought of theirs has there ever been a self? Fame, admiration, envy- everything they strive for requires other people. They have no self. Others are their motive power and their sole concern. They don’t want to be great; they want others to think they are great. They don’t want to think; they want to be thought of as smart. They want people to like them, at the cost of liking themselves. I finally quit with the knowledge that these people are just as purposeless now as they were back in high school. I weave my way through the mediocrity, answering anyone with my customary formal “Hello” without stopping. It is still early. I haven’t yet caught up with my friends, but I need to get out, if just for a little while. I walk out onto the balcony. The clouds are the focal point in the sky, made into silhouettes by the full moon. Some stars are out, but not enough to crowd the sky. No one else is outside. Perhaps it is the cold, but I am warmer than I was in the room. I stand and observe the sky, marveling that light rays refracting through water droplets could produce such beauty. The water will fall, making greater the mass that once separated continents. Man overcame travel above the sea. I will overcome travel below it. It doesn’t matter how great the mass becomes. It can not stop me. There is a solution! “I thought I’d find you out here,” Steven says. “Enjoying the party?” “No,” I state innocently, turning around. “Are you?” “Yeah, it’s been really fun catching up. Most of the old group isn’t here, but still…why can’t you just relax? Have a drink or something.” “I don’t drink. And I am relaxed. Are they?” I say, tilting my head to the people inside. This is so important; I want him to understand. “You know what I mean,” comes the reply. “Yes, do you?” I state quietly, confidently. Do you understand what I mean?, I wish to say, knowing the answer already. “You need to quit working so hard. That’s all you care about; that’s all you ever do. That’s all you ever want to do.” “Yes,” I reply softly, greedily. “Why should I want to do anything else? In the end, what matters except my productive value, except my happiness? I, unlike most people, happen to know exactly what makes me happy. Why should I do anything else?" So what am I doing here? -Zak
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My Introduction
realitycheck44 replied to Young-Objectivist's topic in Introductions and Personal Notes
Yes, thank you Shawn! My bad. I was indeed thinking of Das Kapital. -
My Introduction
realitycheck44 replied to Young-Objectivist's topic in Introductions and Personal Notes
Sweet. I love skiing. I've been skiing for like twelve-thirteen years. (I'm unsure how to count because I broke my collarbone two years ago and I didn't ski much last year cause the snow sucked- I started when I was three, we'll leave it at that). I lift weight occasionally, but climbing kind of takes care of my upper body and soccer takes care of my lower body. Climbing is such a workout. I used to lift weights often, but I don't climb or play soccer well when I'm sore. Then I get frustrated. Yeah, I know what you mean. My music consits of classical and indie rock (I guess that's what it's called). Man, that's a hard one. I love math and physics, and its also what I'm best at (though I'm still getting an A in AP English). If you go into economics/ finance, you could contract out to companies to help them produce stuff. You don't necessarily have to produce anything; you simply help others produce something. You wouldn't have to start your own business to do this though, you could simply work for a business that does produce something. Hell, I want to own my own business but I'm not thrilled about figuring out the "business" part of things. I'm sure there are plenty of people like me who want to produce and have their own business but would rather hire someone to help with the economics/financial part. It's pretty sick. I'm climbing like three-four days a week, because I have soccer the other four. I haven't been doing it for very long, but I'm having a load of fun. Sometimes I'm at the climbing gym for like four hours before I realize it's a school night and I need to go do homework. Yeah, I'd read her non-fiction next. Intro to the Objectivist Epistemology is exceptionally hard, so you might want to stay away from that until later. I'd recommend starting with The Virtue of Selfishness. I'm not sure if I would read the Communist Manifesto. I'd wait and read more Rand before tackling such a long, boring work, but that's just me. I'd rather read the good stuff while I'm formulating my philosophy before I start reading other stuff. The other stuff will just leave you with even more questions and confusion. Zak -
How do I cope with a negative social environment?
realitycheck44 replied to Lancifer's topic in Questions about Objectivism
Ravane- First of all, nice meeting you. It's nice to meet people of a (some what) similar age who are interested in Objectivism. Continuing on, I have fell into your state of mind a couple times, but I was able to overcome it. Here's how: John Galt says in Atlas Shrugged that evil is metaphysically impotent. It simply doesn't matter. They can't stop you. Why? Because they (the parasites) need us (the producers). I've found once you establish that for yourself, and show the people around you the truth of that statement, then you will be free. So, if you live your life the way Dagny Taggart would, enjoying people for the values they give you and ignoring the people who are of less value to you than is your time, you will be have fun. It also seems that you have a rather malevolent view of people, which is sometimes true for me too. But I try to remember this from Atlas Shrugged: when Fransico goes to college Dagny asks "Have you made any friends?" To which he replies "Two." This has always lifted my spirits. There are rational people out there. They aren't all Objectivists (well the most rational are), but they are worth your time. And as to whether or not you producing would help the parasites continue to exist without contribution, yes it will, to some degree or another. But if you establish with the people around you that they don't have a right to one minute of your life (from Howard Roark in TF), you will help break that cycle. You have to proform an analysis much like the one Dagny Taggart had to do: is it worth giving up what I love to do? I don't believe the world has reached a state bad enough for me to do that. Do you? Zak -
My Introduction
realitycheck44 replied to Young-Objectivist's topic in Introductions and Personal Notes
That's quite an interesting story. I'm seventeen too, though I can't say I had quite the philosophical turn-around you did. It's very impressive, actually. Just remember, that life is a learning process. What you were isn't who you are now- don't beat yourself up too badly for it. The most important thing is that you made a wonderful change and are much happier now. Even when it seems frustrating that others are progressing while your just trying to undo the remenents of your old life, remember that it's simply amazing you were able to change so drastically. And then work harder. On a lighter note, what do you enjoy doing, besides reading? I've found having a sport or two really enhances my life. Right now, I play soccer, rock climb, and ski fairly reguarly. You say your athletic skills suck, but you can still have fun doing things. If you pick a sport that doesn't have competition, or one with a competition level suited to your ability, you should have a load of fun. So have you given any though about what you might want to do with your life? I'm going to be a naval architect. I really want to start my own company, specializing in personal and luxury cruise submarines. What of Miss Rand have you read? I know you said The Fountainhead, but it wasn't clear whether you've finished Atlas Shrugged or not. All of her books are great- read them all! Also try Calumet "K" and Victor Hugo (if you're up for an adventure). And the Sparrowhawk series by Edward Cline is very good. If your into history try C. Bradley Thompson's John Adams & The Spirit of Liberty and The Ominous Parallels by Leonard Peikoff. Oh, there's so many good books! There are also books about Ayn Rand and how she lived her life (don't get anything by the Brandens though!) namely Ayn Rand Answers, and The Facets of Ayn Rand. Ayn Rand Answers is simply her extemporanious answers to questions. The Facets of Ayn Rand should be useful to you in your quest of the philosophy's application to life here on Earth. Though I haven't read either (it's on my "To-do" list ), so I am just going on second-hand info. I'd better get going, I still have to to a comparative analysis of the types of logic and arguments used in Patrick Henry's speech to the Virginia convention ("Give me Liberty or give me Death!") vesus Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Sounds like fun right? Feel free to PM me if you want help with something or just to talk about life. Zak -
I watched it again last night. I have to say that I thought John Adams came across as rather weak. I mean, he was the most schooled political thinker of the time, but he didn't give one good response (in my mind) of why the United States should become independent. There were many times when he could have. However, he did do a good job when it came to explaining why slavery needed to be addressed in the declaration and how it was the same independence that they were fighting for. Anyway, it would be really cool if someone did a made another movie about that time period, perhaps not a musical, that had some more political debate. The writers and actors would have to research their roles though, to preserve the historical accuracy of the political ideas of the founders. If done right, that would be very cool though. Zak
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I am very surprised that no one has taken offense at this ridiculus statement. Objectivism and Christianity differ at almost every bend. Objectivism hold the primacy of existance; Chrisitanity hold the primacy of conciousness. Objectivism holds selfishness is the moral; Chrisitanity holds altruism as the moral code to live by. Objectivism holds man's self as the judge and reason as the guide for life, Christianity holds God as both the judge and guide. Objectivism revers the individual, Christianity hates the man who won't surrender his mind to anyone or anything. Any attempt to bring Objectivism and Christianity together would benefit Christianity, but destroy Objectivism. In any compromise, it is the moral, the good, the right, that looses and the immoral that wins. In any compromise between reason and faith, it is faith that wins and reason that looses. I'm sure others will be able to expand on this brief post as it merits a much better response, but I am out of time. Zak
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Objectivism: "Closed" system
realitycheck44 replied to TheNewIntellectual's topic in The Critics of Objectivism
Oh, man! I completely misread what Burgess said. I thought he was refering to NewIntellectual. Completely disregard my comment. Normally, I would say it was because I was tired, but it wasn't even late. Thanks for clearing that up. Zak