The reason people don't get why Catcher in the Rye is important

[[deleted user]]

My head is about to explode.

[[deleted user]]

LOL I have not been following this that closely.
But it is really funny how we are all like Svejk. The Good Soldier Švejk
He seems dumb, but is actually very smart.
But his specific characteristic is that he never keeps to the point. His conversations are convoluted tree like structures, branching away, never to come back to what he started to talk about. I love it, and I am a bit like that and so are you! Great fun!"

[Matthew]

Monty J wrote: "Matthew wrote: "You're never too old to rebel, but I understand what you're saying in that frequently older people get into a routine and they don't want to disrupt the status quo."

The Gray Panth..."

Wow! You really opened up a can of worms.

As you pointed out this isn't a political forum, and I really shouldn't take the bait, but as Pericles said: “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.”

It is very interesting how the Republican Party and the Conservative mind set has changed over the years since Nixon's demise. They were the establishment, protecting their turf, and they didn't care much about the downtrodden, and were not ashamed to admit it. Their position was championed by such intellectuals as William F Buckley whose views many of us may not agree with, but at least they were well thought out and allowed for intelligent discussion.

The cultural and academic relativism of the 60's and 70's made us question the value of traditionalist thinkers. Much of Western History, Literature, and Philosophy was deemed less important if not forgotten. Conservatives tended to gravitate more to the business world when getting their education, as MBA's became increasing popular. Paradoxically those who went into the the more traditional Liberal Arts tended to be more leftist in their inclination.

So what's happened more recently? Many conservatives feel that the world of politics has been turned around and that the liberals have become the establishment, dictating political correctness, and other things. They react to the perceived threat of "liberalism", but who are their champions now? Usually it's a talk show host who barely has a high school education. And what knowledge base do they hang onto? The Bible, because they have forgotten all secular knowledge of Western Political Theory. If you asked them about Hobbes, they'd think you're talking about a comic strip. How many of them are familiar with his Leviathan, or Locke's Treatises of Government?

[Matthew]

Monty J wrote:
Ayn Rand has poisoned the minds of three generations.


Do you care to elaborate on that? I've only read some of her works.

[[deleted user]]

LOL Well she is and ideologist, not a real writer in my opinion, although she writes well.
But it seems unfair to blame her for her cult followers- not her fault!

[Petergiaquinta]

I wouldn't say she writes well...in fact I'd say she couldn't write her way out of a paper bag. Jeezus, I want to hurt myself reading Anthem. Why put myself through more of that tedious screed? And she's just about one of the most objectionable people to have breathed good air. Sure there are worse...but not many.

[Monty J]

Matthew wrote: "Monty J wrote:
Ayn Rand has poisoned the minds of three generations.
Do you care to elaborate on that? I've only read some of her works."

http://redroom.com/member/monty-heyin...

[Petergiaquinta]

Nice, Monty...you're so reasonable, and I'm such a prick. But go ahead and read my review of Anthem. I won't post a link because I don't want Mark all up in my grill, yo.

[Matthew]

Monty J wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Monty J wrote:
Ayn Rand has poisoned the minds of three generations.
Do you care to elaborate on that? I've only read some of her works."

http://redroom.com/member/monty-heyin......"

Interesting. How does one post comments on your blog?

[Monty J]

Matthew wrote: "Monty J wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Monty J wrote:
Ayn Rand has poisoned the minds of three generations.
Do you care to elaborate on that? I've only read some of her works."

http://redroom.com/member..."

Scroll to the bottom and there should be a comment box. If not, you'll have to join Redroom. It's free unless you want all the bells and whistles.

[[deleted user]]

Well I only read Fountainhead and won't read any more ( you can read my review) But most of my book club members loved it and there wasa heated discussion which was fun. Controversial books are more fun to talk about.

[mkfs]

Lucie wrote: "Well I only read Fountainhead and won't read any more "

The Fountainhead really captures all of Rand's individualist philosophy (as well as her neuroses -- hello, rape fantasy!) without being as tedious as Atlas Shrugged or as awfully-written as Anthem.

I'd say that it is important to read at least one of her works, since her ideas strike a chord with so many people (rightly or wrongly). It's good to be familiar with the mindset.

[Kallie]

Mkfs wrote: "The Fountainhead really captures all of Rand's individualist philosophy (as well as her neuroses -- hello, rape fantasy!) with..."

Ha. I forgot about the rape fantasy. Unfortunately, it's come back to me.

[[deleted user]]

Yes that was so strange. The idea that both the rapist and the raped person would enjoy it and fall in love! I went and checked Ayn Rand profile on Wikipedia to see if she was a virgin- I felt she was pretty naive about sex.
But she was not * a virgin).

[Petergiaquinta]

Just because she's ugly doesn't mean she's a virgin!

[[deleted user]]

Now now, you never met her, maybe she looked better than her photos. I just thought there was a certain naivete in her sex scenes. But that is me...

[Petergiaquinta]

I've seen her talking to Mike Wallace, and she's as ugly as her ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKd0To...

See what you think!

[Monty J]

Lucie wrote: "Now now, you never met her, maybe she looked better than her photos. I just thought there was a certain naivete in her sex scenes. But that is me..."

Jeese, now you make me want to read her.

I saw her in a Youtube video being interviewed in 1960 (or so) by Mike Wallace. She was good-looking in a scary sort of way. Her eyes darted all around, making me not trust her. She was unlikable because she spoke down to him and to the camera, as if she were some superior being, royalty or something. Made me feel creepy.

Come to think of it, Alan Greenspan was the same way. He was a member of her inner circle, a creepy guy who talked down to everyone, like a modern day Rasputin. He was a prime cause of the sub-prime mortgage debacle because of his failure to carry out his regulatory duties. Sat on his sorry skinny ass and watched it happen.

[Petergiaquinta]

Monty and I go for different kinds of women, I guess...I try to stay away from the creepy Nazi type. Except for Charlotte Rampling...oh, never mind.

[[deleted user]]

Can we, y'know, get back to talking about Holden?

[Petergiaquinta]

Why would we want to do that?

[mkfs]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "Except for Charlotte Rampling...oh, never mind."

Well, to be fair, she was only dressed up in Nazi regalia. But it was an impressive performance nonetheless.

[Karen]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "Why would we want to do that?"

Oh this is too funny!

[Karen]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "I've seen her talking to Mike Wallace, and she's as ugly as her ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKd0To...

See what you think!"

I can see your point- she doesn't have a nice face or teeth- very hard looking, not feminine. But she couldn't help it!

[Monty J]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "Monty and I go for different kinds of women, I guess...I try to stay away from the creepy Nazi type. Except for Charlotte Rampling...oh, never mind."

I find intelligence sexy.

[Karen]

Monty J wrote: "Petergiaquinta wrote: "Monty and I go for different kinds of women, I guess...I try to stay away from the creepy Nazi type. Except for Charlotte Rampling...oh, never mind."

I find intelligence sexy."

Thank you Monty!

[[deleted user]]

I agree, brain is sexy, in men and women. Here is my character tweet:

Keep your men with perfect bodies, you get used to beauty, but brain is always sexy. My true love’s wit and gentle sarcasm.#Lucie says

And actually AYn Rand with a make up and different hairstyle might look better . And no, I don't look anything like her, just in case that crossed your mind! LOL ( how do you type a smiley?)
What is worse is her forceful preaching in that you tube video

[[deleted user]]

the # is #Luciesays in case you want to read more of my amazing wisdom on twitter!

[Karen]

I like your tweet. :) Is the colon and the parentheses

[Paul Martin]

Lucie wrote:( how do you type a smiley?)

That prerogative is exclusively for Goodreads Premium members.

But fear not; a Premium account only costs 199 GBP pr month.

[[deleted user]]

I will keep my LOL's, they are free

[[deleted user]]

:) thank you Karen

[[deleted user]]

Goddamn, when am I going to learn to just stay the hell away from CitR threads, therefore sparing myself a lot of pain and trouble?

You know you're living in a seriously messed-up world when dangerous books like Twilight and generally overrated ones like The Fault in Our Stars are on the NYT bestseller list. Talk about poisoning the minds of a generation!

And before you continue hating on Miss Rand...let me remind you that one good thing came of her work. One. If nothing else. And I'm sorry I had to say that.

[Kallie]

Well, what was the one thing? The rape fantasy?

[mkfs]

Brooke wrote: "And before you continue hating on Miss Rand...let me remind you that one good thing came of her work. One. If nothing else."

You mean the 2008 financial crisis? ;)

[Monty J]

Mkfs wrote: "You mean the 2008 financial crisis? ;)"

If she says Ted Cruz or Sarah Palin, I'm going leap out the window screaming.

[Petergiaquinta]

Body waxing by Eastern European women?

[Karen]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "Body waxing by Eastern European women?"

ROTFLOL! You are funny.

[Monty J]

Brooke wrote: "...one good thing came of her work. One. If nothing else. And I'm sorry I had to say that."

It's okay. This is a pretty accepting group. Except in the case of trolls. Then it can get a bit messy.

[[deleted user]]

You make me curious So WHAT ONE GOOD THING?

[mkfs]

Lucie wrote: "You make me curious So WHAT ONE GOOD THING?"

I'm actually going with Kallie on this one.

After reading a few of Rand's book, that is what shudderingly lingers.

EDIT: Actually, according to wikipoopia,

Rand advocated reason as the only means of acquiring knowledge and rejected faith and religion.

That does sound like what would have attracted me to her writing in my 20s. Objectivism seems almost tenable, in those in-between years.

[Petergiaquinta]

I woke up this morning eager to discover what is the One. Good. Thing. Ayn Rand bequeathed the world, and I got nothing. C'mon, Brooke, don't be such a tease!

[[deleted user]]

Oh I love you guys, you are so much more fun than my medical colleagues!

[Karen]

Lucie wrote: "Oh I love you guys, you are so much more fun than my medical colleagues!"

Haha! Thanks, although others are much funnier than me.

[Chad]

I honestly don't understand him because of how I was raised.
When I read this book , he just struck me as a spoiled rich kid, who is just mad because he has to start producing something. He's mad because he has to earn his keep.

[[deleted user]]

Oh you are bringing us back to Holden! Well done, we were miles away!

[[deleted user]]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "I woke up this morning eager to discover what is the One. Good. Thing. Ayn Rand bequeathed the world, and I got nothing. C'mon, Brooke, don't be such a tease!"
It's not hers, but...
2112.

[Petergiaquinta]

Brooke wrote: "2112"

Ah...okay, I get it. I didn't like it in the '70s, but it's become a guilty pleasure of sorts in my senescence.

Okay, then, Rand has bequeathed one good thing to the world. I guess.

[[deleted user]]

Told you so. :D
TAKE THAT, JOHN GREEN!

[Petergiaquinta]

Whoa, whoa...what dog does John Green have in this fight?!?