Ayn Rand: Difference between revisions
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Ayn Rand and Objectivism are both very polarizing subjects on the internet and elsewhere. [[Internet Backdraft]] often results from mentions of her work, largely because of the [[Author Filibuster|emphasis of the philosophy]].
Recently, her books have begun to show up on reading lists for some political philosophy courses, and the Journal of Ayn Rand Studies was established. Think-tanks founded by Objectivism's proponents, such as [https://web.archive.org/web/20131114113444/http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index&cvridirect=true the Ayn Rand Institute] and [http://www.objectivistcenter.org/ The Atlas Society], also promote Objectivist ideas. Penn State Press's ''Rereading The Canon'' series, which was a collection of volumes of Feminist interpretations of specific philosophers, included a book on Ayn Rand. Rand-influenced academics like Tara Smith, David Kelley and Chris Matthew Sciabarra have published many works expanding upon Objectivism and detailing the implications of her ideas.
Unfortunately, Rand as a figure generates intense feelings of either seething hatred or ([http://www.amazon.com/Ayn-Rand-Cult-Jeff-Walker/dp/0812693906 some] [http://www.2think.org/02_2_she.shtml say]) cultish adoration and as such debates over the content of her ideas have a general tendency to spill over into debates about her as a person. For instance, several Rand critics question [http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/60120/ her ability to stay true to her own principles]. She may have also received [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-ford/ayn-rand-and-the-vip-dipe_b_792184.html government aid] after getting lung cancer, but Rand herself argued that if someone had paid taxes to fund these systems then they "have a clear right to any refund of their own money" (see [http://www.reason.com/blog/2011/01/30/rand-on-the-dole here]). These aspects of Rand's character have been criticized by several Objectivists. While Rand's personal eccentricities do not necessarily prove anything about the validity or invalidity of her philosophy, Rand did [https://web.archive.org/web/20130405154214/http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/60120/index2.html once] point to herself as proof that her philosophy could work in the real world.
(Note: In recent years, left-wing critics of Rand spread a story claiming that Rand had a [[Draco in Leather Pants]] admiration of serial killer William Hickman. In reality, Rand called Hickman a [http://storeyinstitute.blogspot.com/2012/02/myths-lies-and-true-believers-why.html purposeless monster], and Hickman is only mentioned in notes for a story in which she describes the protagonist as being ''the exact opposite'' of Hickman. More commentary on this, as well as objectivist responses to other criticisms of Rand can be found [http://fvdb.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/the-left-smears-ayn-rand/ here].)
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== [[Video Games]] ==
* The philosophy of Objectivism is a strong theme in the FPS ''[[BioShock (series)]]'' and its success obviously gave those views a fair bit of exposure. Fan opinion is divided on whether the game's setting is [https://web.archive.org/web/20121218232826/http://www.feministgamers.com/?p=296 meant to showcase the philosophy's flaws], or whether it's meant to show Rapture as an Objectivist utopia destroyed by collectivist villains (parasites, as Rand would call them) and hypocrisy on the part of Andrew Ryan; [[Word of God]] says the game's ''real'' message is that [[Humans Are Flawed]] and Extremism is Bad, allowing the developers to [[Dodge the Bullet|sidestep]] the pro-Rand/anti-Rand [[Flame War]].
** Not to mention the fact that Ryan is a [[Spear Counterpart]] [[Captain Ersatz]] for Rand. He's even of Russian origin, just as she was.
** FUN FACT: Whether this was intended or not, one can successfully anagram "Andrew Ryan" to say "We R Ayn Rand"
** The sequel goes on to skewer collectivism, with Sofia Lamb replacing Andrew Ryan. This supports the idea that [[Golden Mean Fallacy|the real evil is any idea taken to extremes.]]
* [[Left 4 Dead|Francis]] [[Memetic Mutation|hates her.]] Robotic doubles available for sale [https://web.archive.org/web/20131013040617/http://www.villainsource.com/misc.html there].
* The Elder God [[Ubermensch|Roark]] in ''[[Lusternia]]'' is named after the protagonist of ''[[The Fountainhead]]'', and his teachings are [[Expy|suspiciously similar]] to Rand's. (The administrator who plays Roark [[Word of God|freely admits]] that he's a big fan of Rand.)
* Kreia of ''[[Knights of the Old Republic (video game)|Knights of the Old Republic]] II: Sith Lords'' could be considered the Ayn Rand of Force users, as she believes that the Jedi and the Sith have been overreliant on the force itself and she plans to destroy the force itself. She fails in the end by the Exile.
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