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I suspicion that a lot of what doomed her personal life to failure was that, inward, she perceived herself a tall, stunning, blond heroine - i.e. a Dagney - but the mirror reflected a short, dumpy, not attractive, dark haired woman. She was Dagney trapped in an alien body.

I think that's true for the most part. But more importantly, she saw what could be accomplished when a person with dreams and goals puts serious, dedicated effort into their passions and pursuits.

Rand was, for much her life, physically as you describe her. Yet she managed to work as an extra in Hollywood films, wrote a couple screenplays; married a minor Hollywood star in Frank O'Connor; wrote a couple bestselling novels and several widely influential manifestos and treatises on her philosophy; and surrounded herself with educated and erudite people. It's no small feat that a "disciple" like Alan Greenspan was able to hold a long tenure at the Federal Reserve.

If she limited herself to the dumpy, unattractive woman with the thick Russian accent she saw in the mirror, or allowed others to convince her that her looks were all she were...Well, would we ever imagine to have even heard of such a person?

more importantly, she saw what could be accomplished when a person with dreams and goals puts serious, dedicated effort into their passions and pursuits.

In a nutshell.

And this is the 'selfishness' that builds a free society that ALL are the beneficiaries of.

As a writer/artist, her book - first "Fountainhead" and then "Atlas" resonated LOUD.

As a writer/artist, I can only do my best work, fulfill my best potential, if left unfettered. I long ago stopped commission work - I am, primarily, a portrait artist - because people don't want portraits so much as plastic surgury via the paint brush...

I certainly would never make it in a world where I was told my talents belonged to the state 'for the good of...'. A fettered mind produces little of worth. Who, then, profits?

When people are free to use their talents according to their own 'inspirations' their best work is produced and 'society' benefits in the outcome as a byproduct - not because the creator gave a thought to them.

more importantly, she saw what could be accomplished when a person with dreams and goals puts serious, dedicated effort into their passions and pursuits.

In a nutshell.

And this is the 'selfishness' that builds a free society that ALL are the beneficiaries of.

As a writer/artist, her books - first "Fountainhead" and then "Atlas" resonated LOUD.

As a writer/artist, I can only do my best work, fulfill my best potential, if left unfettered. I long ago stopped commission work - I am, primarily, a portrait artist - because people don't want portraits so much as plastic surgery via the paint brush...

I certainly would never make it in a world where I was told my talents belonged to the state 'for the good of...'. A fettered mind produces little of worth. Who, then, profits?

When people are free to use their talents according to their own 'inspirations' their best work is produced and 'society' benefits in the outcome as a byproduct - not because the creator gave a thought to them.

And for my writing, I gave up most of it but my column - 20 years - because the editor couldn't change a comma.