It's a reference to Ayn Rand's novel
Atlas Shrugged. I'm not a Randian, but there are some elements of truth in her philosophy;
Atlas Shrugged is about how the world depends on the hard work and goodwill of a relatively small fraction of the population. Sooner or later the rest of the population begins to take this hard work and goodwill for granted, and shortly thereafter demands it as their due. Not long after that, the relatively small fraction of the population on whom the rest depend walk away.
The title is a reference to the titan Atlas, who in Greek mythology bore the earth on his shoulders.