Objectivism Archive

Report on TOC’s Graduate Seminar

August 14, 2004 · Category: Objectivism, Personal, Reviews

I just posted this to the OWL discussion group. My paper on "Mindfulness and Objectivism" was well-received, and generated interest in the topic from several participants. Once I finish my revisions, I'll post a link to the final version of my paper here on Mudita Journal. Eyal Mozes asked: [H]as anyone on OWL been to TOC's Graduate Seminar last week? I would very much like to see a report about it. I was at the Graduate Seminar, and I thought it was terrific. The setting at Marist college was beautiful, and the townhouse-style accommodations (with A/C) were quite comfortable. The quantity and quality ...

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments

Tara Smith on the Case for Honesty

June 2, 2004 · Category: Objectivism

Tara Smith has recently published an article titled "The Metaphysical Case for Honesty" in the Journal of Value Inquiry. (Hat tip: Diana Hsieh.) The PDF version of the full article can be obtained by clicking on "PDF" at the top of this page. I only read the introduction and conclusion, but my impression of the article was positive. It seemed like a more fleshed-out version of the case for honesty presented in Peikoff's OPAR, and I liked what I read even more than when I read it in OPAR. I would be especially interested to hear any critiques of ...

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments

In Praise of Chris Sciabarra

May 21, 2004 · Category: Objectivism

Below is a message I received from Barbara Branden. I agree with her that Chris's work — not only in his books and monographs, but also in the Journal of Ayn Rand Studies — has been hugely valuable. I applaud his efforts and I am saddened whenever I see him being criticized unjustly. Dear Friends, I regret having to tell you about some very ugly and irrational incidents that are occurring in Objectivist and libertarian circles. You all know Chris Sciabarra, either personally or through his work. You know that he is a fine and gifted man, dedicated to reason ...

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments

WWRD: What Would Roark Do?

February 25, 2004 · Category: Intellectual, Objectivism

Diana's public departure from The Objectivist Center is the hot topic of discussion among many Objectivists this week. When she posted her letter to the OWL discussion group, David Potts replied with what I found to be the most insightful and productive commentary on this subject so far: Many readers can probably remember the first time they realized that their parents didn't have all the answers. I myself recall when I, as a young child, asked my mother how far we could see. She said, "Oh, in flat county about ten miles." I explained that this wasn't what I meant, ...

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments

Atlas Shrugged Movie

December 20, 2003 · Category: Objectivism, Reviews

While doing some research for the directory of Ayn Rand admirers at the Atlasphere, I came across a scintillating interview with James Hart, who has apparently written a new screenplay for Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged. (Link found via Miss Liberty.) He comments: "I hated [Atlas Shrugged] in college," the 56-year-old New Yorker admitted. "It was the peace and love era and the values of the time weren't consistent with Ayn Rand's philosophy. Years later, I read it again and it blew me away. I've read it four times in the last six months." What changed Hart's mind? "We're on the threshold of what ...

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments

Re-release of We the Living

November 25, 2003 · Category: Atlasphere, Objectivism

An announcement from movie producer Duncan Scott, who also recently provided a wonderful interview on this topic at the Atlasphere: AYN RAND MOVIE RETURNS TO THEATERS Los Angeles, CA - Oct 21, 2003. Moviegoers as well as fans of novelist/philosopher Ayn Rand will soon have a rare opportunity to see the film classic WE THE LIVING on the big screen. The filmï¿½s distributor, Duncan Scott, announced today that the film will be released to theaters across North America throughout the winter of 2003 and the spring of 2004. This is the first theatrical reissue of the film in 15 ...

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments

Ayn Rand Inspired Pop-Punk Band

November 19, 2003 · Category: Music, Objectivism, Reviews

One of the things that moves me most about the sub-culture surrounding The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged is the number of young, creative artists who have been inspired by Ayn Rand's novels. Take, for example, a young woman who just joined the Atlasphere: Sarah Saturday ï¿½ singer, songwriter, bass player and manager for the punk-pop band Saving Face. And also, an ardent fan of Atlas Shrugged, as she blogs from the road in Ohio. I never really plunged into punk, but I listened to plenty of rock in high school and college, and it's not that different. In her Atlasphere ...

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments

Objectivist Dating Service

November 1, 2003 · Category: Atlasphere, Objectivism

The Objectivist dating service for admirers of Ayn Rand's novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged has now been launched at the Atlasphere. Check it out if you're an admirer of Ayn Rand's novels.

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments

Objectivist Yellow Pages

October 25, 2003 · Category: Objectivism

Following the links from a new sign-up at the Atlasphere, I discovered an interesting resource called the Objectivist Yellow Pages. Intrigued, and perhaps feeling sorry that it might get mopped up by the much larger and more sophisticated directory at the Atlasphere, I joined. After I joined, I noticed I could click "edit" and change my profile without ever needing to enter a password. That's strange. So I clicked on other members' "edit" link and discovered that one can, in fact, view anyone's profile (including contact e-mail) and edit it. Hm... Seems like a security violation, right? ...

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments

Intransition

October 15, 2003 · Category: Music, Objectivism, Reviews

TOC regular (and founder/long-time moderator of the PSY discussion group at wetheliving.com) Walter Foddis forwards a link to the new web site for his band, Intransition. Their sound is indeed hard to define; "new folk adult contempo" gets close. (But as they say, "Who wants to be called that?") Their sample song "Don't Ask" is worth taking a listen. Walter's guitar playing is enjoyable, as always.

Posted by Joshua Zader · View Comments