Parerga & Paralipomena

1 Atlas Shrugged
Posted Philosophy, Criticism, Politics on Saturday, April 29th, 2006.

Possibly Brad Pitt is going to make Atlas shrugged… that would be fantastic, and bring this work to a new audience. It’s so timely.

Great book: If you haven’t read it, I thoroughly recommend it. It’s a bit turgid in parts, but the story cuts to the heart of the relationship of man to the state.
	“Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?” said Dr. Ferris. “We want them broken. You’d better get it straight That it’s not a bunch of boy scouts you’re up against– then you’ll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We’re after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you’d better get wise to it. There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that’s the system, Mr. Rearden, that’s the game, and once you understand it, you’ll be much easier to deal with.” Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged , Ch. III, “White Blackmail”

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