Ryan and Rand

Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged is one of those books teenagers read and often take to heart.  The message of rugged individualism and a selfishness elevated to the level of heroism resonates with teenage boys.  By their early Twenties, however, most realize the shallowness of Rand’s philosophy and turn to more advanced economists.

The fact that Ryan, a man in his Forties, still admires Rand is astounding.  The fact that I hear him described as an intellectual is even more astonishing.  This guy is a lightweight.

I always find it interesting that admirers of Ayn Rand never mention her sexual activism or her atheism.  (In my view, her better qualities.)  If Ryan embraces her ideology, he ought to go all the way and support a woman’s right to abortion the way she did.