I just submitted my Atlas Shrugged scholarship essay

[IconBasser]

just submitted it through the official website, exactly 1 hour and 11 minutes before the deadline. I've had a full year to write it, and ended up starting two days ago . Regardless, I think I did a good job, winner gets $10,000 so wish me luck!

[bebop1]

Originally Posted by IconBasser

just submitted it through the official website, exactly 1 hour and 11 minutes before the deadline. I've had a full year to write it, and ended up starting two days ago . Regardless, I think I did a good job, winner gets $10,000 so wish me luck!

Too bad it is an analysis of Ayn Rand's positivist cliches. She needed a dose of existential continental philosophy, but chose to try and fail at reinventing the wheel. Kinda like Skinner in psychology. Both are all but forgotten now.

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by bebop1

Too bad it is an analysis of Ayn Rand's positivist cliches. She needed a dose of existential continental philosophy, but chose to try and fail at reinventing the wheel. Kinda like Skinner in psychology. Both are all but forgotten now.

Ayn Rand is anything but forgotten. Once you get into university philosophy courses (beyond 101), you hear quite a bit of her.

lowsound

[jokn388]

I am in the middle of reading Atlas Shrugged for the first time. I have about 100 pages left. When all is said and done it will rank up there as one of my favorite books.

Ayn Rand is all but forgotten? That is a completely false statement, but whatever

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Ayn Rand is anything but forgotten. Once you get into university philosophy courses (beyond 101), you hear quite a bit of her.

lowsound

I thought you dropped out of university... how would you know?


I can't stand her philosophy, and the fact that she's a boring writer certainly doesn't help.

But all the same I hope you win the $11,000, might give you the money to buy some better books

[Din Of Win]

Oh my god i hate Ayn Rand... I've read both Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.

Bunch of ********!

Good luck on the essay though! I almost submitted one two years ago, but i couldn't bring myself to say anything positive and any analysis devolved into negative rants.

[MakiSupaStar]

Sweet. I wish I knew about this contest. I love Ayn Rand. I've only read The Fountainhead. It would have motivated me to read Atlas Shrugged.

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by bebop1

Kinda like Skinner in psychology.

I don't know if I'd say that Skinner is all but forgotten. Pure behaviorism isn't in vogue right now, but Bandura's theory, which borrows heavily from behaviorism (as well as the cognitive side of things) is still a widely popular theoritical framework.

Even psycho-dynamic theories are still in use with the neo-Freudians and even some Psy.d programs offer core curriculum in the psycho-dynamic approach.

As far as Ayn Rand, I never really delved into her philosophy, but it always seemed like an apologist doctrine for being a selfish SOB and a basis for anarcho-capitalism. With that said, I would like to read at least one of her books because I like to consider other people's intellectual works, even if I don't agree with them.

[Jared Lash]

I remember writing an essay for that contest.

I got something like $50 for being a "semi-finalist". We read the Fountainhead for class and I recall not hating it and since I was always reading something, I read Atlas Shrugged over the summer. Maybe I should give it a second chance but I hated that book and it made me never want to read another Ayn Rand book, which up till now I haven't.

My take on her is pretty much summed up by what LiquidMidnight just posted.

Good luck in the contest. After reading that behemoth and investing time on an essay I certainly hope you do better than I did.

[Chebass88]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Sweet. I wish I knew about this contest. I love Ayn Rand.

Me too. Reading Atlas Shrugged changed my life.

ian

[KPAX]

Ridiculous.

Originally Posted by bebop1

Too bad it is an analysis of Ayn Rand's positivist cliches. She needed a dose of existential continental philosophy, but chose to try and fail at reinventing the wheel. Kinda like Skinner in psychology. Both are all but forgotten now.

[MusicBokonon]

Originally Posted by IconBasser

just submitted it through the official website, exactly 1 hour and 11 minutes before the deadline. I've had a full year to write it, and ended up starting two days ago . Regardless, I think I did a good job, winner gets $10,000 so wish me luck!

Good luck. I tried it last year, but alas, no money for me.

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

As far as Ayn Rand, I never really delved into her philosophy, but it always seemed like an apologist doctrine for being a selfish SOB and a basis for anarcho-capitalism. With that said, I would like to read at least one of her books because I like to consider other people's intellectual works, even if I don't agree with them.

This pretty much sums it up for me. Except I have no motivation to read the books because I don't agree with what she stands for or the people who champion her ideals.

[CrispyDelicious]

Related:

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

Oh my god i hate Ayn Rand... I've read both Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.

Bunch of ********!

Good luck on the essay though! I almost submitted one two years ago, but i couldn't bring myself to say anything positive and any analysis devolved into negative rants.

Ive only read Ayn Rand's 'Anthem' which was quite a great read akin to Huxley's 'Brave New World' or Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty Four'

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

This pretty much sums it up for me. Except I have no motivation to read the books because I don't agree with what she stands for or the people who champion her ideals.

But just because you don't agree with her ideals or philosophy doesnt mean it can't be a good read to see things from a different perspective, you might even learn something new.

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

I thought you dropped out of university... how would you know?

I did drop out, but I hung out with several philosophy TAs and they talked about her a lot. I haven't read any of her stuff, I wouldn't mind, but I just don't have time with all of the other reading that I do. Which is much higher on my priority list.

lowsound

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

But just because you don't agree with her ideals or philosophy doesnt mean it can't be a good read to see things from a different perspective, you might even learn something new.

I might but as a grad student who is also working full time and playing in two bands, I have to prioritize what I read. Right now, she's not even close to a priority.

[NoTalentHack]

Good luck Icon. Ayn Rand is awesome.

[MatticusMania]

Yeah, I can understand, Ive been quite busy lately and havent had much downtime for reading.