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Re: atlas shrugged and technology

ToxicAssets — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:42:28 GMT

so i have started to read atlas shrugged, right now i'm at a point where characters depend on technology that does not exist, is this a good way to show a alturnative to what we have now? galt's gultch depends on forms of technology that we don't even have to run energy and create defence, two crucial aspects of living.

This is a very good question.

In real life, a libertarian experiment like Galt's gulch, without the cloaking technology and the free energy thing, would probably become vulnerable to Federal government seizure sooner or later.

Like the Waco siege and other similar episodes.

Ms Rand probably understood this and that's why she devised these science fiction subterfuges.

Re: atlas shrugged and technology

cab21 — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:50:23 GMT

scientists both public and private have invented useful technology with funding both private and public. one difference is the legitimacy of the funding.

military technology wise, i don't see how political pull would not effect military but it would effect non military projects. public business by nature can't work like private business in terms of decisions and contracts and how each discriminates.

starting the thread on technology, and then the characters are mentioned, just read chapter 1 of part 3, characters are superhuman and put our self made billionairs to shame.

Re: atlas shrugged and technology

Malachi — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:07:05 GMT

in her nonfiction Rand acknowledged that the government had invented nuclear power; but we know better, scientists (employed by the govt) invented nuclear power and weapons, their names are known.

Rand's novels are like that because she is a romantic, everything is representative of the ideal case. thats why all the real men have square jaws and all the socialists have names like "renfew smedly groat"

Re: atlas shrugged and technology

cab21 — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:57:58 GMT

oh cool,

i though rands premise was that the government can't invent anything?

i also have no idea why she says military is ok but reardon won't sell to the military at any price his product

Re: atlas shrugged and technology

Malachi — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:55:10 GMT

the plot also depends on characters who dont exist, but you didnt even notice. are you that convinced at existence is a necessary precondition for a plot device to have utility? have you ever heard of a mcguffin?

Re: atlas shrugged and technology

gravyten577 — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:34:41 GMT

I don't want to give too much away but wait until you get to the part when the government invents a machine and kills random goats with it

Re: atlas shrugged and technology

Wheylous — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:26:39 GMT

Yeah, that's one thing I don't like about it.

atlas shrugged and technology

cab21 — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:39:40 GMT

so i have started to read atlas shrugged, right now i'm at a point where characters depend on technology that does not exist, is this a good way to show a alturnative to what we have now? galt's gultch depends on forms of technology that we don't even have to run energy and create defence, two crucial aspects of living.