Ayn Rand blamed for current state of America

[Pat Mustard]

Rand certainly had an effect in decades past, but I don't hear many people talk about her now.

In an era of the "Red Scare", Rand was popular, and I remember reading "Anthem" and liking it.  It was an anti-communist book.

Most young people who read The Fountainhead outgrow it.  As the article says, Rand believed that altruism was either evil or didn't exist.  You should do good for others ONLY if it benefits you in some way.  You can give a gift if it makes you feel good, but don't ever claim it was for their benefit.  There should never be something done solely for someone else's benefit.  Anyone who claims they are doing so are self-deluded or liars.

I think it is true that all motivations are internal.  You help others for some internal reason.  That could be love, fairness, justice, reciprocity, a sense of connection.  Rand's problem is that she despises motivations that are not objectively beneficial to you.  She fetishises selfishness.

The main reason the fsr right don't talk about their messiah any more is that she was an outspoken atheist and they're chasing the fundagelical vote. Economically they're still pushing the brand of "fuck you, I got mine" she sold and party leaders like Paul Ryan and Rand Paul are still randbots, just no longer shouting it.