Newbie here

[Loge]

Hello everyone, the name's Radin. I'm sure that my story of becoming an Objectivist in it's core will sound trivial to many of you.

I had made a mess of my values, basically was wasting my time not doing anything productive; never improving myself, without a clue what to do with my life. I was smart enough to see that something is not right, but not smart enough to see what is it exactly. I love literature and after reading time and time again how we're so imperfect and insignificant before the great face of "God"/"Nature"/$insert entity, I was about to conclude that after all it's true. That after all, maybe we really are what all the scientist/philosophers/preachers are saying and happiness is unnatural and unattainable for the humans.

Fortunately, I was wrong.

Few months ago, I was overcome with nostalgia and decided to play again some games I used to play while I was younger - System Shock 2 being one of them. Although I work intensely with computers, I'm not much of a gamer now and I wasn't keeping track of the news in gaming world. So I saw the the game in question has inspired a "spiritual successor" - Bioshock - influenced by (or with my current understanding should I say trying to vilify) the works of Ayn Rand.

I've heard that name mentioned before, but since she was presented in very negative light (euphemistically said) being the conformist I was, I never actually took the time to research more deeply and read a single line. But as I was playing Bioshock, some of the words of the antagonist businessman sounded interesting to me and made sense, despite the attempts to make them sound evil. (I now find it ironic and amusing that a computer game, a means to evade reality has become the means to my full awakening and appreciation of the latter.) So I dumped the game and decided to read "Atlas Shrugged".

Perhaps this won't be something surprising to you too, but I didn't slept that night. I just kept reading and reading, teetering in the struggle between the drive to reread some heavily underlined passages again and the wish to finish the book faster.

I read it in one sitting. And although it's difficult to summarize how I felt then, if I had to do it with one word, that word would be "regret". I regretted that I haven't read it much sooner. Of course, this passed quickly and I took up to enrich my newfound understanding of the world by reading more of Miss Rand's works.

I have the "privilege" of living in (ex)socialist country (Bulgaria), so I had the possibility to watch first hand the collectivist scum and their modus operandi - although I never had a complete understanding what motivates such creatures. Until now.

Of course, I have much more to learn, but now I have a profound basic understanding that I lacked before (and that the "educational" system made sure to stop me from attaining).

A few words about me - I'm currently studying Philology (about to graduate) and meanwhile learning several programming languages, since I love to work with computers and also because I don't want to be a part of the contemporary pseudointellectuals. I am a Classical music fan (my nickname is a favourite hero from a favourite opera ), like to read a lot and sometimes going around for a walk, philosophizing. I'm more of a lurker type poster and I'm here mostly to learn, so don't expect much postings from me. Thanks to everyone who has read this post... and Good Premises. ;)

[kiaer.ts]

здравей, Radin!

[DavidMcK]

Welcome! A fascinating story. I've always wondered how someone from a Socialist country would react to Atlas..especially the story of the 20th Century Motor company with Ivy. Dagny asks Ivy if she knows what the area around the old 20th century plant looks like now and Ivy signals her awareness that things weren't so good for a lot of people (in her own way).

Loge is the demigod of fire and is used in Das Rheingold (Wagner).

[Loge]

I've always wondered how someone from a Socialist country would react to Atlas..especially the story of the 20th Century Motor company with Ivy.

Actually it was the scene with the bum's story on train before the "freezing" that had the deepest impact on my understanding regarding the nature of socialism. It's easy to see the motivation of stupid power hungry "Mystic Ivys", but I had trouble conceiving the actions of workers - why would the subscribe to such an irrational ideology.

And while I was (fortunately) too young to remember anything before '89, I now see how little things have changed. Still the same clique is ruling, the economy is still controlled in favor of the unproductive and the postmodernist dogma... I have no words to describe this pomo c*ap, so I won't even try.

[Philip Coates]

Radin, it's great to see someone from such a distant place here!

I'm wondering, what language did you read "Atlas" in? Was it a translation? If it was in English, was that a struggle, especially given the length and the 'second language' issue?

Sometimes it seems those who come from statist/socialist places understand Rand far more clearly than do those who are well off, live in prosperity and a high degree of freedom, and unaware what is going on under the surface.

Edited March 28, 2011 by Philip Coates

[jriggenbach]

Sometimes it seems those who come from statist/socialist places understand Rand far more clearly than do those who are well off, live in prosperity and a high degree of freedom, and unaware what is going on under the surface.

That's certainly true in my case. I'm a libertarian, of course, and as such, I pay lip service to Ayn Rand but really understand very little about her philosophy. That's why I spend all my time here insulting and vilifying the most thoughtful posters in an effort to get them to leave the list or at least stop posting.

JR

[Loge]

I'm wondering, what language did you read "Atlas" in, was it a translation? If it was in English, was that a struggle, especially given the length and the 'second language' issue?

Sometimes it seems those who come from statist/socialist places understand Rand far more clearly than do those who are well off, live in prosperity and a high degree of freedom, and unaware what is going on under the surface.

The length was not an issue, since I do read a lot and quite fast, too. First I read it in English online, then I bought the translated version, because I thought that I simply _must_ have a paper copy.

As for the second language - I have absolutely no problems with it, since here everyone speaks (at least) English and it's not even considered a skill anymore. I personally use it more passively than actively (I do read more frequently than I write or talk), so I do apologize if I sound artificial. And no, it was not a struggle at all. Quite the contrary. But it was not only my ability to understand the language, one must give credit to Miss Rand's literary talent. Her way of expression is at least equal to many of the classics, especially the choice of words and the demonstration of the unification between view of reality and art representation.

About the understanding, it's true that people like me have a clearer view of the collectivist evil... or perhaps clearer is not the most suitable word; more likely _more overt_, since the parasites aren't hiding themselves like they had to do in the West ("had", because they're not hiding anymore, but rather using the state to penalize those who dare to think). But ultimately it's true individuals who sense that something's not right and seek an answer (by "individuals" here I mean self-sustaining people). You must also consider that after so many years of conditioning a lot of people are unable to think at all. Add to that the large amount of "useful idiots" and those who think that the worlds owes them a living and the result is not very optimistic. So while I, being accustomed with such forms of dictatorship, can relate more closely to Ayn Rand's view, most of the people here are not "getting it".

By the way, thanks for the greetings everyone.

[9thdoctor]

my nickname is a favourite hero from a favourite opera

Loge's a hero? It's a good name, don't get me wrong, but...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNdog4u7mKc

[Loge]

Nicht kennt ihr Loges Kunst! ;)

[9thdoctor]

Nicht kennt ihr Loges Kunst! ;)

Funny thing is that in the Norn’s scene from Götterdammerung they say that Wotan will plunge his broken spear into Loge and use him to light Valhalla on fire. Then, in the end, we see Valhalla burning. If you’re familiar with the allegory this translates, more or less, into Loge overthrowing the government. All of which makes me suspect that you are a bomb throwing anarchist. Not to worry though, we OLers welcome all types.

[algernonsidney]

Radin,

I am sure that we can find plenty of projects for you. Translating Rand into Bulgarian is surely something that will help your own country.

Are there any others you could do?

[Loge]

Nicht kennt ihr Loges Kunst! ;)

...If you’re familiar with the allegory this translates, more or less, into Loge overthrowing the government. All of which makes me suspect that you are a bomb throwing anarchist. Not to worry though, we OLers welcome all types.

Why yes I am familiar, but the only bombs I have ever thrown are water ones against some annoying neighbors. Or you could say that this was part of my anarchist training?

But it's great to find some fellow Wagnerites here. Have you ever been to Bayreuth Festival?

Radin,

I am sure that we can find plenty of projects for you. Translating Rand into Bulgarian is surely something that will help your own country.

Are there any others you could do?

Most of her prose work has already been translated, as well as some of the philosophical works (The Virture of Selfishness and For the New Intellectual). I could gladly start translating, so long as there are no legal issues.

Also, I'm spreading the word and introducing some friends into Miss Rand's ideas.

[Dennis Hardin]

Welcome.

You read Atlas Shrugged in one sitting?

I hope it was a comfortable chair.

[9thdoctor]

But it's great to find some fellow Wagnerites here. Have you ever been to Bayreuth Festival?

No, way too much trouble. Last time I checked it was a 10 year wait, you have to mail a request every year, it’s in July and August which is not a good time to go to Europe, and the productions are weird. I have seen a lot of Wagner in the theater, but not at Bayreuth.