Ping! The thread has been posted.
Special thanks to those FReepers who have participated in these threads. We’re having some excellent and insightful discussions of the book. We’ll rap up in early August, so let’s keep up the quality.
Earlier threads:
Our First Freeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged
FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged, The Theme
FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged, The Chain
FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged, The Top and the Bottom
FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged, The Immovable Movers
FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged, The Climax of the d’Anconias
FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged, The Non-Commercial
FReeper Book Club: Atlas Shrugged, The Exploiters and the Exploited
The other thing that keeps striking me as I read the book, is how the people don't seem to have any say. No voting, no rioting, no court cases, just sheeple. Surely, someone would speak out against these know nothings. Then I see the union rr workers come back to work under assumed names and I'll thrilled by the rebellion. If only it would catch on.
The rough sex thing puzzles me. Does that mean that is how Rand likes it? Is it some puritanical throw back of guilt?
A couple of things stood out to me in this chapter:
When Dagney says to herself while working late and being alone, “This is not the world I expected”. How many of us will be saying that pretty soon? Or have been saying it now? Thank goodness we have FR to talk to like-minded people to stave off the mental loneliness that Dagney was feeling.
What about crime? That same scene, with alleys, half-demolished buildings, late at night, her being alone and seeing a stranger loiter by her doorway - in todays’ world, it could be a dangerous situation. Yet, she felt no fear and even went after the stranger. Perhaps with everone’s needs met, they had no need for crime. But I don’t think that fits in with human nature - everyone wants more, more, more.
The government loans for 2/3 of the money for buying businesses for owners who “have never had a chance”. Sounds a lot like recent events of banks being forced to give loans to people who cannot repay them.
Lastly, the part about Hank Rearden being a greedy monster because he made money and supposedly didn’t help anyone hit home. I recently had an acquaintance (ie., a liberal I’ve known for years but wouldn’t call a friend) lambast CEOs and how much they made. Envy rears its ugly head again - but only for those employed in capitalistic endeavors. When asked about those employed in Hollywood or athletes that probably make more than most CEOs, he had no class envy for them. I pointed out that Hollywood is doing more to promote immorality than CEOs and many athletes using drugs are poor role models for our kids - he didn’t care about that. Only the CEOs are “evil”.
Thank you! This is so great. I had meant to read this for YEARS, sheepish look, and now, with thanks to you, I am! AND enjoying the discussion, and all manner of insights that enrich the experience :)
Tatt