Better Days/Headscratchers
- How is this is considered to be an Objectivist comic? Two chapters of the comic directly contradict Ayn Rand's views on war. Better Days has a strongly pro-war slant, in both cases glorifying military action in Vietnam and the Gulf War, whereas Rand said that when military action for any reason other than self-defense should be avoided, as self-defense is the only reason why it would be in the self-interest of a country to participate in war. Rand considered the United States' participation in Vietnam to have been borne out of altruism, which she opposed, whereas the Gulf War derived from similar reasons that did not involve the self-defense or self-interest of the country. In fact, the whole of Jay Naylor's oeuvre seems to suggest more of a conservative, if anything, leaning, rather than Objectivism, as none of the few elements that could be attributable to Objectivism also exist within Objectivism, and there's a pretty huge contradiction that separates this comic from being influenced by Randian philosophy. (There's also the anti-abortion stance in the comic, which differs from Rand's own views, as she was in favor of abortion.)
- Not everyone is 100% consistent with the strictest interpretation of the earliest version of whatever philosophy they follow. Jay Naylor considers himself objectivist, and espouses many objectivist beliefs throughout the comic. The comic is consistent with objectivist opinions on faith, art, politics, commerce, and the view of "being your own god". Some of what you're criticizing also happened before Naylor considered himself an objectivist, back when he was a Christian. Also, this may shock you to learn, but there are actually branches of objectivism that are not original, "Randian" objectivism. Some objectivists don't even like Ayn Rand, much in the way many offshoots of Christianity aren't terribly fond of Catholocism. (Source: I'm not any particular brand of objectivist, I just know some and have discussed the matter with them.)