Ayn Rand blamed for current state of America

[Kitan Etos]

[Belacqua]

[Fake Messiah]

[HappySkeptic]

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.

[no one]

It's not my fault. The (insert scapegoat) made me do it.

Poor, poor, pitiful me.

[Ranjr]

Individualism is a strong asset but fails when taken to extreme, due to the loss of cooperation.  See recent presidency.

She certainly influenced the libertarian movement of the last 20 years.  I've noted several republican friends hide behind the libertarian tag, while climate-denying and calling for deregulation.  It's as if they never heard of robber barons.

Most importantly, she was the inspiration for Rush 2112.  As Geddy Lee commented years later, "Then, you go on to read other things."

[Jackie]

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

[Rev. Rye]

[Jackie]

Ayn Rand can most certainly be claimed to the start of the selfish bent of America in politics. But to be fair, I also hate the idiots who sport "Che" avatars, you know, the guy who lead to Castro's Cuba.

Help me out, here - what on Earth does Che Guevara have to do with selfishness in US politics?

Not saying you’re wrong, I just don’t see the connection.

Boru

Opposite extremes of the same coin. Ayn Rand gave voice eventually to the "fuck you I got mine" mentality, and Che gave rise to "fuck capitalism".

FYI Fidel Castro died with a personal estimated wealth of $800 million. 

Truth be told worldwide, this is why I hate labels. Even Hitler once he consolidated power, became a very rich man by forcing his population to buy "Mein Kompf". It wasn't the reason he rose to absolute power, but once in that seat of power, he had the power to force Germans to buy his propaganda. 

There is no power in past or present history, that does not have wealth, friend or foe alike, open or closed state, all top powers invest in the global market. It always takes money and resources to keep power, regardless of autocracy, theocracy, dictatorship, open or closed state.