Dealing in Dealing in Disappointment: Ayn Disappointment: Ayn

Rand, Anthem, and the Rand, Anthem, and the (Possibly) Bitter (Possibly) Bitter

FutureFuture

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

23 February 200923 February 2009

The Curtain Rises…The Curtain Rises… Your “Building a Better World” assignments Your “Building a Better World” assignments

indicate that the class has reached a indicate that the class has reached a consensus:consensus: A better world is more internationally united, less A better world is more internationally united, less

impoverished, and peacefulimpoverished, and peaceful It’s stocked with people who both care and It’s stocked with people who both care and

understand more about themselves and othersunderstand more about themselves and others It’s not hard to dream of such a world…It’s not hard to dream of such a world…

It hews fairly closely to our classic utopian viewsIt hews fairly closely to our classic utopian views ……but it’s incredibly hard to make that dream a but it’s incredibly hard to make that dream a

reality (due to both internal and external reality (due to both internal and external forces)forces)

The Wisdom of Top 40 The Wisdom of Top 40 RadioRadio

None of you think that it will be easy to None of you think that it will be easy to improve our world;improve our world;

All of you recognize that improvement and All of you recognize that improvement and progress is still needed;progress is still needed;

Therefore, the class agrees that the world Therefore, the class agrees that the world needs needs improvingimproving

Yet Yet AnthemAnthem cautions us to essentially “be cautions us to essentially “be careful what we wish for ‘cause we just careful what we wish for ‘cause we just might get it.”might get it.”

What arises in the wake of our attempt to What arises in the wake of our attempt to improve something that seems functional?improve something that seems functional?

The Future Freaks Me Out!The Future Freaks Me Out!

The society Rand creates equates: The society Rand creates equates: independence with chaos independence with chaos love with instabilitylove with instability privacy with sinfulnessprivacy with sinfulness mediocrity with perfection mediocrity with perfection

It’s a hypocritical culture, with ideas that It’s a hypocritical culture, with ideas that don’t even make sense when you don’t even make sense when you examine them more closelyexamine them more closely

The Future is The Future is Incompetent?Incompetent?

The governing body is so terrified of The governing body is so terrified of individuality that they’ve eliminated individuality that they’ve eliminated II from the lexiconfrom the lexicon Yet pronouns remain! Yet pronouns remain! ““We” essentially equals “I” We” essentially equals “I”

• If it functions the same way, you eliminated a If it functions the same way, you eliminated a letter instead of an idea (the truly dangerous letter instead of an idea (the truly dangerous thing)thing)

Language is a human inventionLanguage is a human invention• Why not eliminate all sense of possession, Why not eliminate all sense of possession,

especially since no one seems to own anything?especially since no one seems to own anything?

Sin and PowerSin and Power Moreover, after the Council eliminates “I,” it Moreover, after the Council eliminates “I,” it

perplexingly gives citizens a powerful reminder of perplexingly gives citizens a powerful reminder of the the possibilitypossibility of individual action by defining sin of individual action by defining sin (or at least defining individual actions as sinful). (or at least defining individual actions as sinful). If you can do the former, why contradict it by If you can do the former, why contradict it by

introducing the latter, especially when you’ve already introducing the latter, especially when you’ve already eliminated religion?eliminated religion?

What does “sin” mean to a non-believer?What does “sin” mean to a non-believer? Everyone is supposedly equal, yet there are Everyone is supposedly equal, yet there are

hierarchies everywherehierarchies everywhere Members of the Council of Vocations have more power Members of the Council of Vocations have more power

to choose a man’s profession than he doesto choose a man’s profession than he does It’s hard to imagine a person who would prefer to be a It’s hard to imagine a person who would prefer to be a

street sweeper instead of a scholar if given the street sweeper instead of a scholar if given the opportunity to choose between the twoopportunity to choose between the two

When Good Ideas Go BadWhen Good Ideas Go Bad The ideas the civilization supposedly treasures The ideas the civilization supposedly treasures

seem utopian on the surface seem utopian on the surface Everyone gets the same educational experience Everyone gets the same educational experience No one has to live in substandard housing No one has to live in substandard housing Everyone shares a unified system of valuesEveryone shares a unified system of values No one needs to live in fear of outside violence or crimeNo one needs to live in fear of outside violence or crime

On paper, this should be a peaceful, thriving On paper, this should be a peaceful, thriving society of enlightened and successful people society of enlightened and successful people

Instead, it’s a system that’s been co-opted by the Instead, it’s a system that’s been co-opted by the people charged with maintaining itpeople charged with maintaining it

It now holds its citizens in bondage (via It now holds its citizens in bondage (via philosophical control, one of our dystopian philosophical control, one of our dystopian hallmarks) in order to benefit an extremely small hallmarks) in order to benefit an extremely small class of elitesclass of elites

The Darker Side of The Darker Side of RevolutionRevolution If Rand’s message seems somewhat cynical, it isIf Rand’s message seems somewhat cynical, it is

Our brightest hopes and best intentions will ultimately Our brightest hopes and best intentions will ultimately be crippled by corruption, incompetence, laziness, and be crippled by corruption, incompetence, laziness, and fear fear

Understand that her family was laid low in the Understand that her family was laid low in the wake of the Bolshevik Revolutionwake of the Bolshevik Revolution

Fairly or not, the young Rand learned to associate Fairly or not, the young Rand learned to associate the revolutionary desire for communal, equitable the revolutionary desire for communal, equitable living with the ugliness she’d seen perpetrated living with the ugliness she’d seen perpetrated upon the people she loved mostupon the people she loved most

In her eyes, agitators for fairness, self-sacrifice, In her eyes, agitators for fairness, self-sacrifice, and the strength of a community served only to and the strength of a community served only to steal from those who most deserved to succeed in steal from those who most deserved to succeed in order to coddle those who least deserved the helporder to coddle those who least deserved the help

She understands the Sheriff of NottinghamShe understands the Sheriff of Nottingham

The Function of TruthThe Function of Truth It’s easy, then, to understand why Rand creates It’s easy, then, to understand why Rand creates

this society in this society in AnthemAnthem that seemingly runs so that seemingly runs so counter to her personal philosophycounter to her personal philosophy It is, in part, the expression of an old pain that still It is, in part, the expression of an old pain that still

haunts herhaunts her On the surface, she and the society she creates On the surface, she and the society she creates

seem to stand for many of the same thingsseem to stand for many of the same things For example, both prize the power of truth to influence For example, both prize the power of truth to influence

men’s actionsmen’s actions But Rand treasures absolute truth and reason, whereas But Rand treasures absolute truth and reason, whereas

it (“it” being it (“it” being AnthemAnthem’s society) prizes stability through ’s society) prizes stability through rewritten history and selective teachingsrewritten history and selective teachings

For Rand, truth ultimately leads humans towards For Rand, truth ultimately leads humans towards betterment, even if these truths disturb us at presentbetterment, even if these truths disturb us at present

For this society, all men must agree that something is For this society, all men must agree that something is truthful in order for it to be sotruthful in order for it to be so

In other words, “truth” is less important than In other words, “truth” is less important than agreement, and it’s seen as harmful if it interferes with agreement, and it’s seen as harmful if it interferes with that harmonythat harmony

The Author’s LegacyThe Author’s Legacy Rand condemns these types of Rand condemns these types of

perversions of principle and perversions of principle and philosophy throughout her career. philosophy throughout her career.

She made a lot of money while trying She made a lot of money while trying to teach people to see the world her to teach people to see the world her way. way.

An institute bearing her name An institute bearing her name continues to work in an effort to continues to work in an effort to spread her ideas to new generations. spread her ideas to new generations.

Become What You HateBecome What You Hate Yet readers and critical thinkers must wonder Yet readers and critical thinkers must wonder

whether Rand risks falling victim to the same trap whether Rand risks falling victim to the same trap that bedeviled that bedeviled AnthemAnthem’s society’s society

After all, her philosophy advances the idea that After all, her philosophy advances the idea that there’s only one correct way to think – which is there’s only one correct way to think – which is essentially philosophical control, albeit without the essentially philosophical control, albeit without the actual applicationactual application

Objectivism specifically denies skepticism, denies Objectivism specifically denies skepticism, denies faith, and denies altruism – all attitudes that help faith, and denies altruism – all attitudes that help distinguish our thought processes from one anotherdistinguish our thought processes from one another

By devising a “manifesto” of thought that labels By devising a “manifesto” of thought that labels each of the above as worthless, isn’t she trying to each of the above as worthless, isn’t she trying to convince others to agree with not just her convince others to agree with not just her conclusions, but with her entire mode of thinking? conclusions, but with her entire mode of thinking?

Become What You Hate, Become What You Hate, Part IIPart II Is her ultimate goal to inspire a world of Is her ultimate goal to inspire a world of

Objectivists – and does she believe we can have Objectivists – and does she believe we can have a successful world where people still disagree a successful world where people still disagree with her?with her? Think of how she characterizes those who disagree Think of how she characterizes those who disagree

with her (the Councilors) in with her (the Councilors) in AnthemAnthem Objectivism, by design, seems to be incompatible Objectivism, by design, seems to be incompatible

with opinion itselfwith opinion itself It states that truth is truthIt states that truth is truth It’s our job to recognize truth rather than shape it It’s our job to recognize truth rather than shape it

through our interpretationsthrough our interpretations By taking this stance, is Rand unconsciously By taking this stance, is Rand unconsciously

undermining the very principles to which undermining the very principles to which AnthemAnthem owes its existence? owes its existence?

Is she any more accepting of alternative modes Is she any more accepting of alternative modes of thinking than of thinking than AnthemAnthem’s Councils? ’s Councils?

We Pause to Consider…We Pause to Consider… These are tricky questions to consider, These are tricky questions to consider,

because Rand’s gone, and her defenders and because Rand’s gone, and her defenders and proponents can’t really stand in for herproponents can’t really stand in for her

But it’s critical to understand this text in the But it’s critical to understand this text in the context of its author’s philosophy and context of its author’s philosophy and personal history, and these issues are key to personal history, and these issues are key to understanding the philosophy that’s being understanding the philosophy that’s being advancedadvanced

After all, the text ultimately exists to teach a After all, the text ultimately exists to teach a concept, which is why it was originally called concept, which is why it was originally called EgoEgo; it’s been repurposed as an anthem (or ; it’s been repurposed as an anthem (or ode) to “man’s self and his capacity to ode) to “man’s self and his capacity to reason.” reason.”

The Page as MirrorThe Page as Mirror Rand clearly fancies herself as a sort of literary Rand clearly fancies herself as a sort of literary

EqualityEquality In theory, she, like him:In theory, she, like him:

Possesses the intelligence (or genius, in his case) Possesses the intelligence (or genius, in his case) necessary to see through society’s lies to discover necessary to see through society’s lies to discover the truththe truth

Has the guts one needs to spread those Has the guts one needs to spread those uncomfortable truths for the good of society (rather uncomfortable truths for the good of society (rather than cower silently while staying safe) than cower silently while staying safe)

Chooses to associate with those who agree with herChooses to associate with those who agree with her As mentioned in your presentations, Rand sees As mentioned in your presentations, Rand sees

Equality as the embodiment of all that we’re Equality as the embodiment of all that we’re capable of as individualscapable of as individuals He’s able to throw off his fetters and achieve He’s able to throw off his fetters and achieve

greatness with no help whatsoevergreatness with no help whatsoever

A Failing Helping HandA Failing Helping Hand But it must be noted that Equality But it must be noted that Equality doesdoes have help have help

The help of an incredibly poorly-executed society, the The help of an incredibly poorly-executed society, the kind that builds a prison and somehow doesn’t think to kind that builds a prison and somehow doesn’t think to guard it guard it

This, too, seems oddThis, too, seems odd This society supposedly has the power to rise up and This society supposedly has the power to rise up and

unite the world, to erase history and “I” from our minds unite the world, to erase history and “I” from our minds • How can it be so incompetently run? How can it be so incompetently run? • How can Equality be the first to successfully resist it? How can Equality be the first to successfully resist it?

(The Transgressor was captured and killed)(The Transgressor was captured and killed)

This is actually another of Rand’s points – that This is actually another of Rand’s points – that we’re easily conditioned to accept that which isn’t we’re easily conditioned to accept that which isn’t true and isn’t perfect, and that we deny or dismiss true and isn’t perfect, and that we deny or dismiss our instincts (as Solidarity and Fraternity do) in our instincts (as Solidarity and Fraternity do) in order to go through life more easilyorder to go through life more easily

Convince Yourself to Convince Yourself to Accept the 5Accept the 5 Picture the following hypothetical scenario:Picture the following hypothetical scenario:

Our lives are rated on a scale ranging from 1 to Our lives are rated on a scale ranging from 1 to 10 10 1 representing a completely hopeless, joyless 1 representing a completely hopeless, joyless

existenceexistence 10 representing near-deification10 representing near-deification Let’s say you’re a 5Let’s say you’re a 5

I give you a choice: You can continue living as a 5 I give you a choice: You can continue living as a 5 for the rest of your days, or you can take a risk for the rest of your days, or you can take a risk and flip a coinand flip a coin Heads means you win, and you’ll live an 8-rated lifeHeads means you win, and you’ll live an 8-rated life Tails means you lose, and you’ll live a 2-rated lifeTails means you lose, and you’ll live a 2-rated life

Do you stay where you are, or do you flip the Do you stay where you are, or do you flip the coin?coin?

Rolling the DieRolling the Die Let’s pursue a different hypotheticalLet’s pursue a different hypothetical Depending on the choices we make and Depending on the choices we make and

the plans we form, we can build ourselves the plans we form, we can build ourselves “safety nets” that make risks less “safety nets” that make risks less dangerousdangerous

In this scenario, your plans have left you In this scenario, your plans have left you with more options – so instead of a coin with more options – so instead of a coin flip, you get to roll a four-sided dieflip, you get to roll a four-sided die The sides are marked 2, 4, 6, and 8The sides are marked 2, 4, 6, and 8

Do you roll the die, or do you remain a 5?Do you roll the die, or do you remain a 5? What if you’re married?What if you’re married? What if you’re a parent?What if you’re a parent?

Why Roll the Die?Why Roll the Die? The more we have, the more risk-averse we tend The more we have, the more risk-averse we tend

to becometo become No one wants to doom their child to a 2-rated life when No one wants to doom their child to a 2-rated life when

they could have provided a 5they could have provided a 5 Equality takes the die and rolls it (by going into the Equality takes the die and rolls it (by going into the

tunnel), but that’s because he has nothing to losetunnel), but that’s because he has nothing to lose He’s already a 2 at best and 1 at worstHe’s already a 2 at best and 1 at worst

• He has nothing to make him happy (since he hasn’t made He has nothing to make him happy (since he hasn’t made contact with Liberty yet)contact with Liberty yet)

• He’s working a job he hates as penance for a sin he doesn’t He’s working a job he hates as penance for a sin he doesn’t really believe is wrongreally believe is wrong

• He wakes up every morning knowing he’s capable of more, yet He wakes up every morning knowing he’s capable of more, yet feeling awfulfeeling awful

The only thing worse than this existence is death, The only thing worse than this existence is death, and one could argue that such an occurrence and one could argue that such an occurrence might actually be preferable for Equalitymight actually be preferable for Equality

So he rolls the die…then he rolls it again, and So he rolls the die…then he rolls it again, and again, and again…lucky for him, the die seems to again, and again…lucky for him, the die seems to favor him!favor him!

Into the WildInto the Wild Eventually, Equality’s choices leave him in Eventually, Equality’s choices leave him in

the Uncharted Forest the Uncharted Forest The Forest initially represents confusion and fearThe Forest initially represents confusion and fear It turns out to be a refugeIt turns out to be a refuge

Equality doesn’t get lost in the Forest so Equality doesn’t get lost in the Forest so much as he finds his way through his own much as he finds his way through his own thoughts once he’s out from under society’s thoughts once he’s out from under society’s thumbthumb He understands himself better in isolation, which He understands himself better in isolation, which

is why he makes a home in the house he is why he makes a home in the house he discovers in the treesdiscovers in the trees

He’s away from society, and he’s never been He’s away from society, and he’s never been betterbetter

Blinded by VisionsBlinded by Visions Ultimately, Rand argues that this society Ultimately, Rand argues that this society

doesn’t work because it holds people like doesn’t work because it holds people like Equality down in order to settle for a uniform Equality down in order to settle for a uniform mediocrity mediocrity (It also drives them into the metaphorical Forest, (It also drives them into the metaphorical Forest,

but we’ll concentrate on one area for now) but we’ll concentrate on one area for now) This is illustrated most clearly in the This is illustrated most clearly in the

sequence where the Scholars reject the sequence where the Scholars reject the lightbulb Equality constructslightbulb Equality constructs Those in power choose expedience over Those in power choose expedience over

advancement (why have bulbs when everyone advancement (why have bulbs when everyone has candles?) has candles?)

It becomes clear that these people have It becomes clear that these people have stagnated, and that they’ve been blinded by stagnated, and that they’ve been blinded by their utopian visions. their utopian visions.

Forging the Stuff of Forging the Stuff of DreamsDreams

This points to the single biggest obstacle to This points to the single biggest obstacle to utopian creationutopian creation

Namely, it’s very easy to propose ideas, but Namely, it’s very easy to propose ideas, but much harder to shape the realities those much harder to shape the realities those ideas demandideas demand

Our actions have consequences, and even Our actions have consequences, and even the ones we take with the best of intentions the ones we take with the best of intentions often have unexpected outcomesoften have unexpected outcomes

Dystopias are chronicles of the unintended Dystopias are chronicles of the unintended consequences of man’s pursuit of perfection, consequences of man’s pursuit of perfection, the destructive ripples of his attempt to build the destructive ripples of his attempt to build a better world a better world

Don’t Let It Happen Don’t Let It Happen TodayToday Rand constructs a society that violates Rand constructs a society that violates

every principle it holds because it’s easy every principle it holds because it’s easy to see how this can happento see how this can happen Again, due either to corruption, Again, due either to corruption,

incompetence, laziness, or fearincompetence, laziness, or fear It It takestakes work to work to makemake this work this work

Yet if we’re going to achieve our potential Yet if we’re going to achieve our potential as human beings – something you feel we as human beings – something you feel we haven’t done yet, whether it’s from a haven’t done yet, whether it’s from a technological or philosophical standpoint technological or philosophical standpoint – we – we havehave to put in the work to put in the work AnthemAnthem proves that the stakes are too high proves that the stakes are too high

for a society to dream big without planning for a society to dream big without planning for the practical implementation of that visionfor the practical implementation of that vision

Back to the Better WorldBack to the Better World We spoke in class about similarities We spoke in class about similarities

between your better worlds and about how between your better worlds and about how difficult it’ll be to create themdifficult it’ll be to create them

Many of you dream of a united world, but Many of you dream of a united world, but does this dream necessitate the death of does this dream necessitate the death of religion, language, or even culture itself? religion, language, or even culture itself? Think of the wars we’ve fought over cultural Think of the wars we’ve fought over cultural

differences (with respect to values), let alone differences (with respect to values), let alone the innumerable conflicts between the innumerable conflicts between practitioners of different faithspractitioners of different faiths

Take these away, and all we’ll have left to Take these away, and all we’ll have left to fight over are resourcesfight over are resources

It’s so easy to wish that things like war It’s so easy to wish that things like war couldn’t happen any more…but how heavy couldn’t happen any more…but how heavy is the cost we’re willing to pay for peace? is the cost we’re willing to pay for peace?

Unintended Unintended ConsequencesConsequences Many of you also dreamed of a restructured Many of you also dreamed of a restructured

class system, but failed to explain how the state class system, but failed to explain how the state of living for the lower class would be improvedof living for the lower class would be improved For example, how are you encouraging others to For example, how are you encouraging others to

serve the needs of the poor better than they currently serve the needs of the poor better than they currently are? are?

Some of you posited different criteria for Some of you posited different criteria for constructing classes – not so much replacing the constructing classes – not so much replacing the class system as reforming itclass system as reforming it Yet stricter class divisions seem to carry unintended Yet stricter class divisions seem to carry unintended

consequences as wellconsequences as well If it’s not simply a matter of accumulating wealth any If it’s not simply a matter of accumulating wealth any

more, does identity theft diminish – or rise? more, does identity theft diminish – or rise? Finally, how do we deal with former prisoners – Finally, how do we deal with former prisoners –

the rehabilitated members of society? the rehabilitated members of society? Do we give them jobs at your parents’ expense to Do we give them jobs at your parents’ expense to

keep them from falling back into the cycles that keep them from falling back into the cycles that landed them in jail to begin with?landed them in jail to begin with?

When Schooling’s a When Schooling’s a LuxuryLuxury Many of you made education mandatory, but Many of you made education mandatory, but

failed to explain how we should begin to turn failed to explain how we should begin to turn around our school systemaround our school system

How do we:How do we: Rebuild broken campuses?Rebuild broken campuses? Staff urban classrooms with competent instructors?Staff urban classrooms with competent instructors? Perhaps most importantly, how do we convince people Perhaps most importantly, how do we convince people

to be instructors to begin with, especially in fields like to be instructors to begin with, especially in fields like mathematics and science (where skilled thinkers can mathematics and science (where skilled thinkers can earn far more in the private sector without being earn far more in the private sector without being “forced to put up with students,” particularly those “forced to put up with students,” particularly those who have no inclination to learn)? who have no inclination to learn)?

For that matter, what do you do with home-For that matter, what do you do with home-schooled children? schooled children?

How do we provide more stable funding for our How do we provide more stable funding for our schools?schools?

Don’t Worry!Don’t Worry! I’m not saying this to be critical – I promiseI’m not saying this to be critical – I promise In fact, I’m pointing out the oppositeIn fact, I’m pointing out the opposite Good ideas can come from anyone, and I’m Good ideas can come from anyone, and I’m

trying to encourage you to start thinking trying to encourage you to start thinking outside the box outside the box (“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what (“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what

you’ve always gotten”) you’ve always gotten”) So I want you to start thinking about practical So I want you to start thinking about practical

solutions to problems you’ve never seriously solutions to problems you’ve never seriously attacked beforeattacked before

After all, if the Reality Check proved anything, After all, if the Reality Check proved anything, it’s that you’ll own these problems before you it’s that you’ll own these problems before you know itknow it

In Closing…In Closing… Ultimately, Ultimately, AnthemAnthem can be any number of can be any number of

thingsthings It can serve as your introduction to Objectivism, It can serve as your introduction to Objectivism,

a philosophical system you may enjoy or admirea philosophical system you may enjoy or admire I’m trying to use it as a rallying cry for you to I’m trying to use it as a rallying cry for you to

begin thinking about civic issues – schools, begin thinking about civic issues – schools, labor, influence, health, rights, etc. – in concrete labor, influence, health, rights, etc. – in concrete terms, rather than as abstract things that you’ll terms, rather than as abstract things that you’ll get around to dealing with someday, or hoping get around to dealing with someday, or hoping to never need to deal with at allto never need to deal with at all

Or it can just be a boring, oddly-written book Or it can just be a boring, oddly-written book written by a woman who’s been dead for written by a woman who’s been dead for decadesdecades• (Don’t let it become that last one.)(Don’t let it become that last one.)

……and Beyondand Beyond We’re going to start debating civil issues – the ones We’re going to start debating civil issues – the ones

pertaining to the “Equalities” in our societypertaining to the “Equalities” in our society Ultimately, we’re trying secure a better future for ourselves and our Ultimately, we’re trying secure a better future for ourselves and our

children without falling into the dystopian trap children without falling into the dystopian trap The first one on the docket is near and dear to me: The first one on the docket is near and dear to me:

education. education. How should we deal with Equality as a student in our How should we deal with Equality as a student in our

society? society? Should we segregate him and place him on an Honors-level track, Should we segregate him and place him on an Honors-level track,

thus robbing him of experiences with a variety of other people – the thus robbing him of experiences with a variety of other people – the very people he’ll someday work with? very people he’ll someday work with?

Do we hold him back, “normalizing” him with the rest of his class? Do we hold him back, “normalizing” him with the rest of his class? How should we treat our students as thinkers, as learners, How should we treat our students as thinkers, as learners,

and as human beings?and as human beings? Should we take a unified or differentiated approach? Should we take a unified or differentiated approach? Should we push you, or pull back and let you learn at your own pace? Should we push you, or pull back and let you learn at your own pace? Should we be strict or relaxed?Should we be strict or relaxed? Should we have a narrow focus or use a survey approach? Should we have a narrow focus or use a survey approach?

And how do we provide opportunities for everyone, instead And how do we provide opportunities for everyone, instead of just for the gifted and beautiful? of just for the gifted and beautiful?

(These are just a few of the questions we’ll pursue.)(These are just a few of the questions we’ll pursue.)