We noted last year that North Carolina sculptor Robert Toth (whose bust of Sigmund Freud was featured on Fox News’ sitcom “Cracking Up”) was starting a bust of Ayn Rand.
His bust of Ayn Rand is now complete, and available for view on Robert Toth’s web site.
Category: The Atlasphere
All things Atlasphere can be found here, columns, podcasts, interesting anecdotes, and more.
Update: Star and Buc Wild Cite Ayn Rand
In October I wrote about the hip-hop morning show duo Star and Buc Wild, pointing out that Star is a fan of Ayn Rand’s writings.
Today I received a phone call from Star, from which I gleaned several things:
1. The biographical material that I cited in my original posting is not actually written by Star. (This was what prompted his call.) Rather, it was written by someone else who adapted publicly available material into a fake first-person account of Star’s past. When I told Star I hadn’t been very impressed by what I’d read, he said, “I wouldn’t be, either.”
2. A more accurate picture of Star and his ideas can be gathered from an interview with him on the Star and Buc Wild web site. (Click on “Exclusive Star Interview” after you get into the site.) The importance of Ayn Rand’s philosophy is emphasized throughout the interview. Philosophical purists, however, will not be happy.
3. Today the NY Daily News published a new profile of Star. From the article:
Star returned to New York radio yesterday with his tongue sharpened, vowing on the Power-105 morning show that he would take out Howard Stern, crush rival Hot-97 and “bring the truth to New York radio.”
He also tossed around the N-word, told the city to “bend over” and warned those who are not his friends they could be the target of an aggressive sexual act.
Welcome back to the Star and Buc Wild package, last heard on WQHT (97.1 FM) in May 2003 and now inked for four years at WWPR (105.1 FM).
“Somebody said you were looking for me,” he said as he signed on at 6 a.m. yesterday.
Clear Channel, WWPR’s parent, expects Star to push Power past Hot-97 and become the city’s top rap station. But Star made it clear his own vision extends to the national vacancy that will be created when Stern skips to satellite next year.
“Hip-hop wars, don’t waste my time,” Star said. “I came for the long-haired [homosexual] down the dial, Howard Stern.”
Apparently Star hopes to fill the void left on national morning talk radio when Stern moves to XM next year.
My take? During our call, Star sounded pleasant and intelligent (not incoherent, the way the All Hip Hop fake bio made him sound, or belligerant, as he sounds in the quotes from his radio show).
He uses the word “hater” often, and sometimes in a positive context. Star seems to view hate as a kind of natural energy (perhaps like the Freudian id) that can be channeled for constructive purposes. In his view, an “Objective hater” is potentially a person of great purpose and passion.
Personally, I’d be happy if his interest in Rand’s work helps introduce more blacks like himself (or “man of color,” as he prefers, for its individualistic connotations) to Ayn Rand’s ideas.
Howard Hughes, Randian Hero?
In his review of The Aviator, Edward Hudgins of The Objectivist Center compares Martin Scorses’ picture about the life of Howard Hughes to Rand’s novels and finds many parallels. About one such parallel, Hudgins writes:
Scorsese shows us Hughes’s romance with actress Katharine Hepburn beginning in a way that suggests a true integration of the pleasures of the mind and body. Hughes takes Kate on a flight over Los Angeles in one of his planes and lets her pilot it. Kate’s exhilaration matches his own and they soon land on his estate and in his bed. This scene recalls the scene from Rand’s Atlas Shrugged in which Dagny Taggart, who has built a new line for her railroad, rides in the engine on its first run on track and over a bridge made of a new super-metal with its inventor, Hank Rearden, by her side. The exhilaration and lack of any mind-body dichotomy in their souls lead them to a sexual celebration of their achievements.
Read the full review…
UPDATE: The Atlasphere has also published its own review of The Aviator and its Ayn Rand-style hero.
What Do You Mean You're Not Thirty-Five?
Some of you may have noticed that an inordinate number of new members of the dating service in recent weeks have been listed as thirty-five years old. This was a minor bug in our code and has now been fixed. (Thank you to the person who brought it to our attention.) Sorry for the temporary inconvenience!
AOL Poll: The Greatest American
Think Ayn Rand deserves recognition as a “Great American”? Then perhaps you’d like to register your opinion in AOL’s online poll.
'Crosspoints' Discount for Atlasphere Members
From Alexandra York to Crosspoints reviewer Michelle Fram Cohen:
My nonprofit arts foundation American Renaissance for the Twenty-first Century (ART) is making a special offer to ART members right now. If they buy either an author signed soft or hard cover of CROSSPOINTS (at 15% discount), they get a copy of FROM THE FOUNTAINHEAD TO THE FUTURE and Other Essays on Art and Excellence ($14) free.
If you’d like to offer your readers this same thing, please do so, but tell them that they must put “Atlasphere” on their order to cue us that they are eligible for this special deal. They can check the web site www.ART-21.org to see the essay book and get ordering info. ART is nonprofit, so their check could (if they wish) be viewed as a donation for tax purposes.
Paul DePodesta and Howard Roark
From an article in the LATimes about Dodgers General Manager Paul DePodesta:
The primary architect of the Dodger roster is not the owner of one year but rather the general manager of 11 months, soft-spoken, unassuming Paul DePodesta, who turned all of 32 last month and is looking forward to his only child’s first birthday this month.
Architect is a description the Harvard-educated DePodesta would find flattering because the fictional character he admires most is Howard Roark, the fiercely independent architect in Ayn Rand’s 1943 novel, “The Fountainhead.”
Roark dismissed traditional methods and stood by his radical designs in the face of severe criticism. Rand presented him as a man of extraordinary conviction, and, no surprise here, Gary Cooper played him in the movie.
Fans alarmed at the wholesale shakeup of the Dodgers probably feel DePodesta is more interested in detonating dynamite than in drawing up the blueprint for a winning team. Not that he would be insulted ? Roark too blew things up when he deemed it necessary.
Tradition? Ka-boom! Time-honored methods? Ka-bluwee!
“There are a lot of things we do because that’s the way we’ve always done them, and I do my best to not accept that as an explanation,” DePodesta said. “Circumstances change and you have to be proactive about changing with those circumstances.”
See the full article for additional information.
Putin Demotes Economic Advisor Andrei Illarionov
We’ve noted previously that Putin economic advisor Andrei N. Illarionov has been a vocal admirer of Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged. It sounds like Putin has suddenly noticed that the principles in Atlas are, uh, incompatible with dictatorship.
From an article in the New York Times:
President Vladimir V. Putin on Monday abruptly reduced the responsibilities of a senior adviser who last week issued a sweeping criticism of the Kremlin’s leadership and expressed deep misgivings about the direction in which Russia was headed.
In a presidential decree released without further comment, Mr. Putin relieved the adviser, Andrei N. Illarionov, of his duties as Russia’s envoy to the Group of 8, comprising the world’s major industrialized nations and Russia. Mr. Putin reassigned those duties to a presidential aide who is seemingly a more loyal Kremlin insider, Igor I. Shuvalov.
Mr. Illarionov, 43, has been an economics adviser to Mr. Putin since 2000, and at times a vocal critic of the Kremlin’s course. Both the Kremlin and Mr. Illarionov’s spokeswoman said that for the moment he would retain his principal post. But his sudden removal as envoy to the Group of 8 carried an implicit rebuke.
In a long news conference here last week and then in an interview on an independent radio station, Mr. Illarionov issued a searing and comprehensive assessment of the state of affairs in Russia, saying the country had sharply shifted direction for the worse, and risked becoming a third world state.
See the full article for additional information. (Via Drudge)
Ayn Rand Centennial Celebration in NYC (Feb 2nd)
Forwarded to us by Atlasphere member Don Hauptman:
[Note: the information below is now superceded by the information on their web site.]
Party Like It’s 1905!
Join Us in New York City for a Gala Celebration of Ayn Rand’s 100th Birthday
Dear Ayn Rand Admirer,
Happy New Year. But the festivities aren’t over yet!
This is the start of “The Year of Ayn Rand.” One month from today, on the night of Wednesday, February 2, 2005, the date of Ayn Rand’s 100th birthday, a festive Centennial Celebration will be held here in New York City.
If you’re in another part of the world, this is a great time to visit New York. The holiday tourists are gone, hotel rates are lower, and many otherwise sold-out shows have seats available. (Contact me if you need NYC hotel or entertainment recommendations.)
But the most important event on February 2 will be our Centennial Celebration. The venue is Porters, a restaurant in Manhattan’s newly trendy Chelsea neighborhood. It will close to the public, so we will have the entire main floor from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Porters is a classy place with great food and warm, inviting decor. Reviewers use such words as “stylish,” “stunning,” and “ocean liner Deco.” For a 360-degree panoramic tour, plus reviews and other information, go to www.portersnyc.com.
Here are highlights of what’s included in our Ayn Rand Centennial Celebration:
- Gourmet hors d’oeuvres served by uniformed strolling waiters.
- A selection of premium-quality red and white wines and a variety of soft drinks. (For those who prefer beer or hard liquor, there will be a cash bar.)
- An artistically decorated birthday cake, accompanied by coffee and teas.
- Socializing and camaraderie with Objectivist friends, both old and new.
- A souvenir brochure of little-known, unpublished fun facts about Rand and Objectivism. Exclusively for those who attend this event.
- A tribute to Ayn Rand, some important news … plus a few surprises!
What will it all cost? Catered events in Manhattan are wildly expensive. But the staff of Porters has worked with us enthusiastically and heroically to keep the price reasonable — while delivering a high-quality experience that you will enjoy and long remember.
Admission is $55 per person, including gratuities and tax. We’re not aiming to make a profit (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), just to cover our costs.
Don’t delay. The word is spreading, interest is already strong, the restaurant’s capacity is limited, and we expect to sell out quickly.
See below for how to reserve, deadlines, and other details. And remember: If you procrastinate, you may miss out — and you’ll have to wait another 100 years for Ayn Rand’s Bicentennial!
Cordially,
Don Hauptman
Unofficial Event Host
HOW TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS
Our friends at Laissez Faire Books have benevolently agreed to process reservations and payments for us. You have three convenient ways to reserve and pay:
TO CHARGE BY PHONE: Call toll-free 1-800-326-0996 (or 501-975-3650), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Major credit cards honored — please have your card number ready.
TO PAY BY CHECK VIA SNAIL MAIL: Send a check payable to Laissez Faire Books for $55 per person. In the “For” or “Memo” line, write: Rand Centennial. Include your name and names of your guests. Mail to: Laissez Faire Books, 7123 Interstate 30, #42, Little Rock, AR 72209. If you want a confirmation, please include an e-mail address.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Time and place: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Porters Restaurant, 216 Seventh Ave. (between 22nd and 23rd Streets), Chelsea, New York City. Conveniently located near subways, buses, parking.
Dress code: As befits the occasion, the following is recommended: jackets and ties for men, cocktail attire or dressy casual for women.
Reservation deadline: Laissez Faire Books must receive your reservation and payment no later than close of business, Friday, Jan. 21. But the restaurant’s capacity is limited and we expect to sell out quickly. To ensure that you’re not disappointed, don’t wait — make your reservations today. Absolutely no unreserved admissions at the door.
Cancellations and Refunds: If you reserve and pay and then must cancel, you will receive a full refund if you inform Laissez Faire Books by close of business, Wednesday, Jan. 26, which is one week before the event. No refunds after that date because we owe the restaurant, regardless.
Disclaimers: Particulars subject to change. Our apologies if you receive multiple copies of this announcement — we are e-mailing several lists and it is impractical to eliminate duplications.
See you at Porters on Ayn Rand’s 100th Birthday, February 2!
UPDATE [Jan 14] – An update from Don Hauptman:
Still time to sign up for the Ayn Rand Centennial Celebration in NYC on Feb. 2 — but move fast!
Don Hauptman, Objectivist party animal, announces, “We’re close to selling out. As of today, Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, we have paid reservations equal to about 3/4 of the restaurant’s capacity. I may have stop accepting new reservations soon — or run the risk of violating the (governmentally imposed) fire laws! Flash: Guest speaker Erika Holzer, Ayn Rand’s friend and one of her lawyers, will share memories and anecdotes. Don’t delay. If you miss out, you’ll have to wait until the year 3005 for another event like this! Call LFB after 9 a.m. Central time, weekdays only: 1-800-326-0996. See you at the party.”
For complete details about the event, go here.
Private vs. Government Aid for Tsunami Victims
The Ayn Rand Institute has published an op-ed, below, arguing that any help for Tsunami victims in Southeast Asia should come from private, not government, coffers.
Is such private fundraising really a practical solution? Consider this: Amazon.com alone has already raised well over $9 million (from 124,000 separate donors) in private funding for the Tsunami victims.
The money will be donated to the American Red Cross, which, according to at least one government source, is the same organization that will receive the initial funding from the U.S. government.
U.S. Should Not Help Tsunami Victims
By David Holcberg
As the death toll mounts in the areas hit by Sunday’s tsunami in southern Asia, private organizations and individuals are scrambling to send out money and goods to help the victims. Such help may be entirely proper, especially considering that most of those affected by this tragedy are suffering through no fault of their own.
The United States government, however, should not give any money to help the tsunami victims. Why? Because the money is not the government’s to give.
Every cent the government spends comes from taxation. Every dollar the government hands out as foreign aid has to be extorted from an American taxpayer first. Year after year, for decades, the government has forced American taxpayers to provide foreign aid to every type of natural or man-made disaster on the face of the earth: from the Marshall Plan to reconstruct a war-ravaged Europe to the $15 billion recently promised to fight AIDS in Africa to the countless amounts spent to help the victims of earthquakes, fires and floods–from South America to Asia. Even the enemies of the United States were given money extorted from American taxpayers: from the billions given away by Clinton to help the starving North Koreans to the billions given away by Bush to help the blood-thirsty Palestinians under Arafat’s murderous regime.
The question no one asks about our politicians’ “generosity” towards the world’s needy is: By what right? By what right do they take our hard-earned money and give it away?
The reason politicians can get away with doling out money that they have no right to and that does not belong to them is that they have the morality of altruism on their side. According to altruism–the morality that most Americans accept and that politicians exploit for all it’s worth–those who have more have the moral obligation to help those who have less. This is why Americans–the wealthiest people on earth–are expected to sacrifice (voluntarily or by force) the wealth they have earned to provide for the needs of those who did not earn it. It is Americans’ acceptance of altruism that renders them morally impotent to protest against the confiscation and distribution of their wealth. It is past time to question–and to reject–such a vicious morality that demands that we sacrifice our values instead of holding on to them.
Next time a politician gives away money taken from you to show what a good, compassionate altruist he is, ask yourself: By what right?
UPDATE: More on this subject from Terence Corcoran at Canada’s National Post:
If there’s an emerging lesson in the aftermath of the tsunami, it is this: Beware of aid efforts that must be trumpeted in press releases and hyped at news conferences. The bulk of world relief to tsunami victims, soaring to hundreds of millions of dollars, had been registered by private agencies collecting donations from individuals who sought no public recognition, issued no media release and made no effort to get their names into the papers. It was only after it became obvious thousands, if not millions, of individuals wanted to help that the world’s governments — in Ottawa and Washington and elsewhere — suddenly saw an opportunity. Absurdly, Ottawa announced it would “match” the private donations of individual Canadians — as if Ottawa got the money from some magic fountain behind Parliament Hill rather that from taxes on the same individuals who had already volunteered.