Puzzle Peddler Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) ...and he made fun of you for not being as rich/talented as him. what would your response be? (I'm assuming this forum is not stashed with millionaires, but I could be wrong) Edited November 8, 2012 by Puzzle Peddler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninth Doctor Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 ...and he made fun of you for not being as rich/talented as him. what would your response be? (I'm assuming this forum is not stashed with millionaires, but I could be wrong) You mean if he acted in a way completely inconsistent with the character in the novel? Mmm, what would be my response… How about another ‘what if’? How about if you met Jesus and he told you there is no God, no afterlife, and that he was really a Hellenizing devotee of Aristippus and/or Epicurus, who only preached an opposite philosophy because it helped him get laid? And that Monty Python had it right, he really did say “Blessed are the cheese-makers”. All I can say is that I’d find it all most peculiar. mdegges 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puzzle Peddler Posted November 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 You mean if he acted in a way completely inconsistent with the character in the novel? Mmm, what would be my response… not sure, is his function as a character significantly dependent on his politeness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softwareNerd Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 ...and he made fun of you for not being as rich/talented as him. what would your response be? I can easily answer this question if you tell me your answer to this one: If you met Mother Teresa and she was going to kill you with a machete, but you had a gun pointed at her... what would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puzzle Peddler Posted November 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) I can easily answer this question if you tell me your answer to this one: If you met Mother Teresa and she was going to kill you with a machete, but you had a gun pointed at her... what would you do? I would gun her down, you? edit: come on guys, I'm assuming some of you have experience in being in the workforce. everyone knows how you feel about socialists. But how do you really feel about your fellow capitalist business competitors? (do you prefer friendly competition? or something a bit more cut-throat?) Edited November 8, 2012 by Puzzle Peddler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiral Architect Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 The idea of friendly or cut throat competition is irrelevant to your question. I have had both as a business manager and further I have had both at the same time with the same person, and in all cases it has nothing to do with acting like an ass. What you are describing is simply someone being rude. What that sounds like is someone who has self-esteem issues, someone who needs to gain an advantage by tearing another person down, and Galt would be the last person in the novel to have self-esteem issues. James Taggart would be the character to try and gain an advantage by pulling out the superiority stick and clubbing someone with it, since he is the character who would need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puzzle Peddler Posted November 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) The idea of friendly or cut throat competition is irrelevant to your question. I have had both as a business manager and further I have had both at the same time with the same person, and in all cases it has nothing to do with acting like an ass. What you are describing is simply someone being rude. What that sounds like is someone who has self-esteem issues, someone who needs to gain an advantage by tearing another person down, and Galt would be the last person in the novel to have self-esteem issues. James Taggart would be the character to try and gain an advantage by pulling out the superiority stick and clubbing someone with it, since he is the character who would need it. I'm not sure if I agree. People can act rude just for fun it seems. Also what about this: if you knew a competitor recently lost their spouse, and you decide to walk them really often while constantly showing off your spouse... and they see it and become depressed, and their business suffer as a result... that's not really a matter of bolstering self-esteem, that just seems like a business strategy to me. Is there a general rational requirement to not be an ass? I guess that's the question. Edited November 8, 2012 by Puzzle Peddler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninth Doctor Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Is there a general rational requirement to not be an ass? I guess that's the question. Then why not ask about 'real' people like Donald Trump or Gordon Ramsey? I put 'real' in scare quotes because I think they project exaggerated personae on their TV shows. The character of John Galt has nothing to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softwareNerd Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 come on guys, I'm assuming some of you have experience in being in the workforce. everyone knows how you feel about socialists. But how do you really feel about your fellow capitalist business competitors? (do you prefer friendly competition? or something a bit more cut-throat?)I know a fair number of people who are richer than I am, and I've never heard them make fun of someone for not being as rich as them. If they did, one would treat them like any other jerk... and that might mean a whole lot of thing. But, that has nothing to do with your original question, which was about John Galt doing something diametrically opposite of what he would do in character... which is just silly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiral Architect Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) I'm not sure if I agree. People can act rude just for fun it seems. Sure, they can be rude for fun. It is a confession of sorts that someone gets off on putting others down however. Also what about this: if you knew a competitor recently lost their spouse, and you decide to walk them really often while constantly showing off your spouse... and they see it and become depressed, and their business suffer as a result... that's not really a matter of bolstering self-esteem, that just seems like a business strategy to me. A business strategy is a strategy of how to run your business. Putting down someone is not a business strategy. It can be a tactic some people use but once again it is a confession unrelated to egoism or free markets – It is a psychological confession that A) One has to tear someone down since they are not good enough to succeed through their own virtues, and B ) One has to feel good about oneself by demolition someone else. Both are self-esteem issues. Someone of sufficient self-esteem does not care about other people or their current “status”. They are focused on themselves, not others. Is there a general rational requirement to not be an ass? I guess that's the question. Self-Esteem is one. But really it is a psychological issue and an issue of etiquette. Edited November 8, 2012 by Spiral Architect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred Centauri Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 what would your response be? "What have you done with the real John Galt?" softwareNerd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puzzle Peddler Posted November 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) Then why not ask about 'real' people like Donald Trump or Gordon Ramsey? I put 'real' in scare quotes because I think they project exaggerated personae on their TV shows. The character of John Galt has nothing to do with it. I was worried that someone might go on a tangent and say that they are "not real capitalists" or something (because of certain things they've done/said in the past). But yes, doesn't have to be John Galt. I know a fair number of people who are richer than I am, and I've never heard them make fun of someone for not being as rich as them. If they did, one would treat them like any other jerk... and that might mean a whole lot of thing. But, that has nothing to do with your original question, which was about John Galt doing something diametrically opposite of what he would do in character... which is just silly. *see explanation above Edited November 8, 2012 by Puzzle Peddler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puzzle Peddler Posted November 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) Quote Is there a general rational requirement to not be an ass? I guess that's the question. Self-Esteem is one. But really it is a psychological issue and an issue of etiquette. Any thoughts on dealing with this kind of problem from the opposing side? As in something like the following (this is kind of from personal experience): Let's say one has a boss, who's a fairly rational and very competent business person, but is also very arrogant and likes talking smack to his subordinates. What is one to make of that? Should it be: 1) good for you, you worked hard to get to where you are, have some fun verbally abusing me if you want, its only talking after all. 2) something else more negative? Edited November 8, 2012 by Puzzle Peddler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream_weaver Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 [if you met John Galt in real life...]...and he made fun of you for not being as rich/talented as him. what would your response be? (I'm assuming this forum is not stashed with millionaires, but I could be wrong) I would have to have him verify what time the fishwife is supposed to be having us over for dinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicky Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 ...and he made fun of you for not being as rich/talented as him. what would your response be? I'd turn into an eagle and fly around the room for a few minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig24 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 ...and he made fun of you for not being as rich/talented as him. what would your response be? (I'm assuming this forum is not stashed with millionaires, but I could be wrong) Strange question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveb1 Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 Based on your question I would say that you were missing the point of the philosophy. It begins in a man soul to seek is own happiness. Every man has a talent and the goal is not necessarily riches. Success is acheived in the doing or creating, not the money earned or the people server. John Galt would not make fun of someone in this context, however he may challenge a take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My 99 are free Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 (edited) You wouldn't even notice John Galt. He's basically a non-entity. But okay, you know what I'd say? I'd say "Draw me a house." Edited February 13, 2013 by My 99 are free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruveyn1 Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 ...and he made fun of you for not being as rich/talented as him. what would your response be? (I'm assuming this forum is not stashed with millionaires, but I could be wrong) I seriously doubt whether John Galt would waste precious minute of his life mocking me. But if he did, I would spit in his eye. I do no take kindly to unjust and unnecessary insults, even from a Hero of Production. ruveyn1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My 99 are free Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 (edited) I seriously doubt whether John Galt would waste precious minute of his life mocking me. But if he did, I would spit in his eye. I do no take kindly to unjust and unnecessary insults, even from a Hero of Production. ruveyn1 you would react to non-force with force? He's justified in making any fun of you he wants, now. Edited February 13, 2013 by My 99 are free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intellectualammo Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 ...and he made fun of you for not being as rich/talented as him. what would your response be? (I'm assuming this forum is not stashed with millionaires, but I could be wrong) Galt would not make fun of you like that because of his self-esteem. This hypothetical is complete nonsense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruveyn1 Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 you would react to non-force with force? He's justified in making any fun of you he wants, now. Force? Nay. quid pro quo. An annoyance for an annoyance. ruveyn1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My 99 are free Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 (edited) Force? Nay. quid pro quo. An annoyance for an annoyance. ruveyn1 He wouldn't think that way, and since he's Galt his way goes. Anyways, it's not his fault you would find a subjective comment or objective facts annoying. Edited February 14, 2013 by My 99 are free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moralist Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 (edited) come on guys, I'm assuming some of you have experience in being in the workforce. everyone knows how you feel about socialists. But how do you really feel about your fellow capitalist business competitors? (do you prefer friendly competition? or something a bit more cut-throat?) Business is not like sports which are zero sum games where one can only win if another loses. Your own ability to create wealth does not deprive any one else from also creating wealth because there is an unlimited amount of wealth. Only business failures believe the lie that Capitalism is a zero sum game... and it is precisely that belief in what is false which has caused them to fail. Edited February 14, 2013 by moralist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrolicsomeQuipster Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 What if you met Ellsworth Toohey in real life and he gave you a complement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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