Comments on: An Unscientific Survey of Books People Love Annoyingly and Books People Hate

By: Miguel Mayher

Miguel Mayher — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:08:32 +0000

Interesting post idea.

Ayn Rand’s philosophy is radical. As such, it elicits radical reactions of adoration and loathing. On young people it tends to create a disproportionate sense of righteousness and false duty. I know because I was one of them. Once the high of the first contact fades away, and the consequences of cutting yourself of from emotions start to surface, it can be turned into a healthy reminder of taking full responsibility for your destiny and making use of your skills to the best of your ability.

There are some poisoning ideas sprinkled in Atlas Shrugged, but it doesn’t take away from the epic picture of rational human achievement it portraits. I’d say, handle with care and digest with awareness.

By: aaron cohen

aaron cohen — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:24:08 +0000

Ha. Removing and hanging my head in ignorant shame. Thanks for letting me know. I hope someone eventually writes a book that people proselytize. I might do it myself. Book list as self-fulfilling prophecy.

By: Michael G

Michael G — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:17:42 +0000

“Nthing” isn’t the title of a book, it’s a cute form of saying “seconding”.

By: Jill Smith

Jill Smith — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:33:18 +0000

Yeah. John Rogers is my hero.

By: aaron cohen

aaron cohen — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:35:14 +0000

I love that quotation. I saw it on Balloon Juice a couple weeks ago and wanted to basically steal the post. I barely refrained.

By: Jill Smith

Jill Smith — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:15:23 +0000

“There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.”

http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/03/ephemera-2009-7.html