Don't worry, I didn't finish it the first time I tried reading it either. XD However, if you're willing to meet her halfway, you might see some things of value in the book. I really did. She really saw postmodernism coming even when it was just getting started. She makes great points about how important it is to trust yourself and hold to reason. As well as to hold onto what's yours in the world, and not let yourself be sacrificed for others.
@@jeffreygao3956 Many of the people who have read her books disagree with you, that’s how. It’s why her most famous books were bestsellers and continue to be popular.
@@howardroark3736 Popularity=/=quality and John Rogers is more right: "There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs."
Really good review. I keep recalling an essay whose author and title I've forgotten that saw "The Fountainhead" as a book that could be a very good critique of the "starchitect" idea and the idea of men like Wright as culture heroes. I agree that "Fountainhead" is a better book than "Atlas Shrugged", and it's interesting to read Howard Roark through the lens of Tom Wolfe's "From Bauhaus to Our House".
Thnx! And "From Bauhaus to Our House" is such a great title. XD I actually have a Tom Wolfe book on my shelf unread; I maybe should get that sooner than later. ;)
@@TH3F4LC0Nx I think you'd like "Bauhaus to Our House". I have my problems with a lot of his points, but he has some very good things to say. I'm a big fan of postmodernist (as opposed to Modernist) architecture, but Wolfe makes a point that's very true-- too many Modernist and Postmodernist architects have amazing ideas for buildings, but they have no real ideas about actual construction. Fallingwater is amazing, but apparently it's a pain to live in, since the water running through the house makes the house humid enough to ruin anything like paper, paintings, wood... Too many Modernist and PoMo buildings are actually disintegrating because the architects saw themselves as artists and not as craftsmen building something for clients.
@@SmallSpaceCorgi Oh wow, there's a point there. Style mustn't outstrip utility, I suppose. Really, reading The Fountainhead, Roark sort of made me think of Minoru Yamasaki. The book makes the structures Roark designs sound very utilitarian and nondecorative. I remember reading that the World Trade Center was initially resented by many New Yorkers not only because the towers were so imposing but also because they were so boxy and looked like filing cabinets. XD
It's inherently difficult to weave your belief system into a narrative when you actually have something unique to say, it will always annoy people and they'll inevitably call you pretentious. I don't think its possible to be objectively an individual (as much as I'd like to ;-P), because people and society shape us in ways we can't be fully contious of. Defiance is contained withing the influence of the thing you defy. Society itself is just a reflection of our nature that is all about adaptation and making compromises to survive. Man, I can't wait to know what you think of slay the princess, there are so many ideas to adress in there and it may challenge a lot of other philosophical literature with its core themes.
Hello my friend! Your introduction has made me want to pick up and read Atlas Shrugged again. I did not finish it first time 'round!
Don't worry, I didn't finish it the first time I tried reading it either. XD However, if you're willing to meet her halfway, you might see some things of value in the book. I really did. She really saw postmodernism coming even when it was just getting started. She makes great points about how important it is to trust yourself and hold to reason. As well as to hold onto what's yours in the world, and not let yourself be sacrificed for others.
Great Review!
I've read most of her novels and enjoyed them all.
If you've not yet read "We The Living", it is also well worth the time, IMO👍
We the Living is actually one of my favorite books. :) Very eye-opening read, or can be at least.
How? Ann Runt is so preachy of terrible morals and boring.
@@jeffreygao3956 Many of the people who have read her books disagree with you, that’s how. It’s why her most famous books were bestsellers and continue to be popular.
@@howardroark3736 Popularity=/=quality and John Rogers is more right: "There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs."
“To bear children into this world is like carrying wood to a burning house.”
― Peter Wessel Zapffe
Sad but true. 😔
In no way is that true! Zapffe is a lunatic and a hack!
Really good review. I keep recalling an essay whose author and title I've forgotten that saw "The Fountainhead" as a book that could be a very good critique of the "starchitect" idea and the idea of men like Wright as culture heroes. I agree that "Fountainhead" is a better book than "Atlas Shrugged", and it's interesting to read Howard Roark through the lens of Tom Wolfe's "From Bauhaus to Our House".
Thnx! And "From Bauhaus to Our House" is such a great title. XD I actually have a Tom Wolfe book on my shelf unread; I maybe should get that sooner than later. ;)
@@TH3F4LC0Nx I think you'd like "Bauhaus to Our House". I have my problems with a lot of his points, but he has some very good things to say. I'm a big fan of postmodernist (as opposed to Modernist) architecture, but Wolfe makes a point that's very true-- too many Modernist and Postmodernist architects have amazing ideas for buildings, but they have no real ideas about actual construction. Fallingwater is amazing, but apparently it's a pain to live in, since the water running through the house makes the house humid enough to ruin anything like paper, paintings, wood... Too many Modernist and PoMo buildings are actually disintegrating because the architects saw themselves as artists and not as craftsmen building something for clients.
@@SmallSpaceCorgi Oh wow, there's a point there. Style mustn't outstrip utility, I suppose. Really, reading The Fountainhead, Roark sort of made me think of Minoru Yamasaki. The book makes the structures Roark designs sound very utilitarian and nondecorative. I remember reading that the World Trade Center was initially resented by many New Yorkers not only because the towers were so imposing but also because they were so boxy and looked like filing cabinets. XD
It's inherently difficult to weave your belief system into a narrative when you actually have something unique to say, it will always annoy people and they'll inevitably call you pretentious.
I don't think its possible to be objectively an individual (as much as I'd like to ;-P), because people and society shape us in ways we can't be fully contious of. Defiance is contained withing the influence of the thing you defy. Society itself is just a reflection of our nature that is all about adaptation and making compromises to survive.
Man, I can't wait to know what you think of slay the princess, there are so many ideas to adress in there and it may challenge a lot of other philosophical literature with its core themes.
I'm working towards it slowly but surely! ;)
I think you should use a smartphone or invest in a proper camera instead of a web cam :) would really make your videos more appealing audiovisually
I think you're right! XD I may have to look into getting a better laptop. HP I've learned is like bottom of the barrel. XD