George Rebane
Many Americans, I among them, are witnessing our country well along its way into the dystopian nightmare Ayn Rand described in her Atlas Shrugged that came out in 1957. The book is being reprised in a three part movie, the first of which is slated to open across the country on the auspicious 15 April 2011. In the book, which she considered her summa, Rand develops and demonstrates objectivism, her contribution to philosophy.
Without giving much away, the novel's story takes place in a United States that is pretty much what we have today, and what our progressive friends are promising to deliver in spades tomorrow. The protagonist is a female railroad executive who is trying to save her railroad in the face of draconian government attack on industry, and worse, the withdrawal and disappearance of the nation’s producers. As these entrepreneurs and captains of industry literally disappear, they leave their firms to the mercies of government break-up and management. This is the ultimate strike of the wealth creators - instead of thuggery, coercion, and/or destruction, they simply leave and let the new collectivist order do what they will. These sacrifices are made as the only remaining alternative to demonstrate to the nation at large, by their absence, the blessings of individualism, capitalism, free markets, and a salutary profit motive.
According to early reviews of its premiere at the Heritage Foundation, this powerful stuff is brought off well in its modern screen version as summarized in the video. H/T to RR reader for the heads up on this.
George, Atlas Shrugged is the most influential novel I have ever read. No novel has changed my life (thoughts/actions) as much as AS. It was John Galt who convinced me to decrease my production as a protest against a government who serves not its people or respects personal property (Bastiat Triangle).
Though much will be sacrificed to condense a 1,400 page book into a movie(s) today's society (worldwide) needs AS. Thanks for posting.
Posted by: Mikey McD | 26 March 2011 at 10:57 AM
Mikey, it was also influential in my young life. But thankfully in past years I never felt that I had to make the sacrifice Rand describes in the novel. Maybe that time is coming soon, I certainly hope not. I would take the Great Divide alternative any day, because technologically supported autocracies are very stable.
Here is the mini version of John Galt's famous radio speech
http://www.working-minds.com/galtmini.htm
And a more complete version in multiple parts
http://www.startrich.com/jv/joint-venture-videos/john-galt-speech.html
Posted by: George Rebane | 26 March 2011 at 11:36 AM
I am partial to Hank Rearden's trial:
http://mikeymcd.tumblr.com/tagged/Hank_Rearden
I opted to make the sacrifice Rand described in AS because it was under my control and I could not afford to bet on reason to return to the USA.
Posted by: Mikey McD | 26 March 2011 at 11:54 AM
From the National Journal:
Conservatives with ties to the tea party are hoping a new movie version of a 1957 novel will help fuel their 21st century political movement.
Tonight, the Heritage Foundation has scheduled a special screening of Atlas Shrugged, a film version of the Ayn Rand cult classic that made the late novelist a heroine to conservatives—especially, libertarian conservatives.
The screening marks the beginning of a splashy rollout for the movie, slated for premiere April 15—just in time for tea party tax day rallies. “It becomes an excellent vehicle for them to broaden their base,” said the film’s producer, Harmon Kaslow. “They subscribe to the philosophy of the book and believe in the writing of Ayn Rand and her view of individual liberty.”
FreedomWorks, the Washington-based tea party organization headed by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, has undertaken a massive campaign to push the movie into as many theaters as possible. So far, they’ve lined up 63 for opening day in major cities nationwide; FreedomWorks hopes to push that number to 300.
“In a lot of ways this project reflects the ethos of the tea party,” said FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe. “You had both Republicans and Democrats who felt rejected by the establishment, and the same process is going to happen with Atlas Shrugged: We’re going to build a constituency of people who believe in limited government and individual liberty.”
Read the rest here.
Posted by: Russ Steele | 26 March 2011 at 12:47 PM
I forsee a conservative movie night on April 16th!
Posted by: Barry Pruett | 26 March 2011 at 01:05 PM
Will the Getz Family who own the Del Oro, the Sierra Cinemas and the Sutton Cinemas schedule it for viewing? I seem to recall that all of Michael Moore's flicks have in the past run for weeks at these same movie houses. Would be a nice gesture if they did.
Posted by: Martin | 26 March 2011 at 02:08 PM
Martin a very interesting observation - you would think they would know already
Posted by: Dixon Cruickshank | 27 March 2011 at 09:29 AM
Barry you might organize a group night - safety in numbers ya know - I'm sure once 1 has seen it all the lefties will be hysterical, well maybe nobody will see it just hear about it and go bonkers anyway, more likely.
Posted by: Dixon Cruickshank | 27 March 2011 at 09:48 AM
I think the woman that owns all of the local theaters is Michael Moore's sister.
Posted by: Barry Pruett | 27 March 2011 at 10:06 AM
Barry, are you serious?
I think a group night would be great. I'll agree to autograph their ticket stubs if that would help ;)
Posted by: John Galt | 27 March 2011 at 10:07 PM
Will be out of town on 16 Apr; would love to attend 17 Apr or later.
Posted by: George Rebane | 28 March 2011 at 08:15 AM
So go enjoy: 2016: OBAMA'S AMERICA If it sells, it projects, seems to be the Getz motto. American Capitalism at its free-est.
Posted by: TomKenworth | 07 September 2012 at 12:44 PM