aynrand.org/impact Volume 17, Number 6, June 2011

Yaron Brook Speaks Why You Shouldn’t Miss Next Month’s on a Wide Array of Objectivist Summer Conference Topics to a Wide Array of Audiences

RI executive director A has travelled frequently this spring all over the world. He participated in debates, gave keynote lectures, sat on panels and much more, dis- Opening banquet of the Objectivist summer conference in Las Vegas in 2010. Photo courtesy of Harris Kenner cussing topics ranging from and foreign policy n the last few issues of Impact, we highlighted conversations with other attendees late into the to health care and sports. I some of the events that will take place during night. Those in attendance range widely in age, Throughout his travels, Dr. Brook communicated the Objectivist summer conference next month in occupation and the number of years they have ’s ideas and their application to issues Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We interviewed the lec- been familiar with Ayn Rand’s ideas. Some have today to thousands of people, ranging from college turers of two general session events and featured only recently discovered Rand, while others have students to business leaders to academic scholars. the free events at the conference. But the value of been attending the Objectivist summer conference Below is a sampling of Dr. Brook’s speaking events the summer conference goes far beyond the value for more than two decades. Some are students still this spring, arranged by audience type. of any particular event. deciding which careers to pursue and others are The conference offers a unique opportunity well established in business, academia and other College Students and Faculty to meet other fans of Ayn Rand. No other event fields. Many attendees have communicated to • “The Value of Business Ethics Outside Business,” brings together so many fans, scholars and other ARI in past years that they have met their closest Wake Forest University, Wake Forest, NC, March supporters of Rand’s books and ideas. It’s the larg- friends and even, for some, their significant others, 22 (hosted by the BB&T Center for the Study of est gathering of Objectivists in the world. at the conference. Capitalism) During the conference, you have the opportu- There is no event like the annual Objec- • “Capitalism Without Guilt,” Phillips School of nity to further your understanding of Ayn Rand’s tivist summer conference. Attendees have an Business, High Point, NC, March 23 ideas by taking the many educational courses unrivaled opportunity to socialize, network and • “Capitalism Without Guilt,” Babson College, Bab- offered on topics that range from art, science learn. And with lower registration prices and a son, MA, March 28 and history to business and current events. These more optimal schedule this year (as discussed • “Ideas Matter,” University of Southern California, courses are taught by some of today’s leading in last month’s issue of Impact), next month’s Los Angeles, CA, March 31 experts on Rand’s ideas, giving you a rare chance conference promises to be yet another memo- • “This House Would Abolish the Welfare State,” to have your questions answered by top Objectiv- rable experience. Oxford Union debate, Oxford, UK, May 26 ist intellectuals. Learn about exciting additions to the conference In addition, there is plenty of time to social- lineup on page 3. To register for the conference, visit Business Leaders ize with others who share some of your deep- objectivistconferences.com. • “Global Supply Chains in an Ayn Rand World,” est values. It is common to see people enjoying We hope to see you next month! Supply Chain Management Research Center Spring Conference, Fayetteville, AR, March 16 and 17 • “Capitalism Without Guilt,” Young Presidents’ Organization, Tulsa, OK, May 3 We the Living Marks 75th Year of Publication Scholars • “Why Conservatives Can’t Stop the Growth of the yn Rand’s first novel, We Essays on Ayn Rand’s “We the Living,” a scholarly State,” Association of Private Enterprise Educa- A the Living, was first collection edited by Dr. Robert Mayhew, professor tion International Conference, Nassau, Bahamas, published seventy-five years of at Seton Hall University and Anthem April 11 ago in 1936 and dramatized Foundation board member. Dr. Ghate writes that the • “Why Is Populism So Popular and Capitalism So life under a dictatorship. Since novel shows: Feared in the World Today?,” Mont Pelerin Soci- the novel is not as well known ety Regional Meeting, Buenos Aires, Argentina, as some of Rand’s other fic- The collectivism of communism—the attempt April 19 (read about the significance of this event tion works, such as The Foun- to tie all individuals together and make them on page 5) tainhead and , “brothers,” “comrades,” “equals”—means de- • “Sports and the Human Need for Heroes,” Phi- ARI has several promotional struction and death, particularly the destruction losophy of Sport Workshop, Oxford, UK, May 23 efforts planned to mark the seventy-fifth anniver- and death of the best individuals, those who and 24 sary of the book’s publication. strive to grow, to produce, to live. And the novel • “The Profit Motive: The Cure for Big Government Ayn Rand wrote in 1958 that We the Living is shows that contrary to the protests of any genu- and Business Guilt,” Institute of Economic Affairs, not merely “a novel ‘about Soviet Russia.’ It is a inely idealistic communists, this is what commu- London, UK, May 25 novel about Man against the State. Its basic theme nism (and any other form of collectivism) must • “Programs for Cultural Change,” Adam Smith is the sanctity of human life—using the word lead to in practice. Most of communism’s lead- Institute, London, UK, May 27 ‘sanctity’ not in a mystical sense, but in the sense ers, the story makes clear, at some level know • “Ayn Rand’s Unique Defense of Capitalism,” of ‘supreme value.’” this. They pursue collectivism’s destructive goal “Why Conservatives Can’t Stop the Growth of the ARI senior fellow Dr. describes without the excuse of honest error. State,” and “Atlas Shrugged and the World Today: what the novel illustrates in his essay “The Death continued on page 6 Premise in We the Living and Atlas Shrugged” in continued on page 4 Excerpt from Why Businessmen Need Philosophy

he following is an T excerpt from ARI board member ’s essay “Philosophy: The Ultimate CEO” in the new How the Mixed Economy not that such a power can be used dishonestly, but collection. The essay is that it cannot be used honestly. The wisest man in a transcript of a talk Dr. Creates Pressure-Group the world, with the purest integrity, cannot find a Binswanger gave in 1999 criterion for the just, equitable, rational application to the Young Presidents’ Warfare of an unjust, inequitable, irrational principle.” (“The Organization. To place an order for the book Pull Peddlers”) or for more information about its contents and Each month Impact suggests readings and other The result? “When a man’s mind is trapped in promotional efforts, and to read more excerpts, resources for fans of Ayn Rand’s fiction who wish the foggy labyrinth of the non-objective, that has visit whybusinessmenneedphilosophy.com. to learn more about her philosophy, . no exits and no solutions, he will welcome any quasi-persuasive, semi-plausible argument. Lacking Let me define the term “philosophy.” Philoso- certainty, he will follow anyone’s facsimile thereof. phy is the science that studies the fundamental n a talk in 1965, Ayn Rand described the state of He is the natural prey of social ‘manipulators,’ of principles of existence and man. the American political system as a “disintegrating, I propaganda salesmen, of lobbyists. The key concept in this definition is “fun- unsound, precariously unstable mixed economy.” “When any argument is as inconclusive as any damental.” Philosophy determines the funda- (“The New Fascism: Rule by Consensus” in other, the subjective, emotional, or ‘human’ ele- mentals—the fundamentals of life—just as the Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal) ment becomes decisive. A harried legislator may CEO determines the fundamentals of a busi- “A mixed economy,” she said, “is a mixture of conclude, consciously or subconsciously, that the ness. And the leadership role of philosophy is freedom and controls—with no principles, rules or friendly man who smiled at him at the cocktail just as crucial, just as indispensable, as your theories to define either. Since the introduction of party last week was a good person who would leadership role is in your business. controls necessitates and leads to further controls, it not deceive him and whose opinion can be trusted You would indignantly reject the Marxist is an unstable, explosive mixture which, ultimately, safely. It is by considerations such as these that offi- view of your role in business; I hope you will has to repeal the controls or collapse into dictator- cials may dispose of your money, your effort, and just as indignantly reject the popular view of ship. A mixed economy has no principles to define your future.” (“The Pull Peddlers”) philosophy’s role in human life—the view that its policies, its goals, its laws—no principles to limit To oppose this system, Rand argued, “You philosophy is a useless game or wordplay unre- the power of its government.” (“The New Fascism: must challenge its basic premises. You must begin lated to and distracting from real life. I want to Rule by Consensus”) by realizing that there is no such thing as the ‘the convince you of the opposite: philosophy rules But what about the so-called principle of the public interest’ except as the sum of the interests of life, real life, daily life. public interest? “So long as a concept such as ‘the individual men. And the basic, common interest of Everyone has a philosophy, whether public interest’ (or the ‘social’ or ‘national’ or ‘inter- all men—all rational men—is freedom. Freedom implicit or explicit, true or false, consistent or national’ interest) is regarded as a valid principle is the first requirement of ‘the public interest’—not contradictory. And one’s philosophy directs the to guide legislation—lobbies and pressure groups what men do when they are free, but that they are course of his life. The philosophy that is domi- will necessarily continue to exist. Since there is no free. All their achievements rest on that founda- nant in the culture at large directs the course such entity as ‘the public,’ since the public is merely tion—and cannot exist without it.” (“The Fascist of the culture, governing what the laws are, a number of individuals, the idea that ‘the public New Frontier” in The Ayn Rand Column) what regulations are imposed on your business, interest” supersedes private interests and rights can whether the world admires or sneers at what have but one meaning: that the interests and rights you are doing. of some individuals take precedence over the inter- And here Marxism itself, as a philosophy, ests and rights of others.” (“The Pull Peddlers” in Additional Commentary Read and a very evil one, is an instructive example. Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal) • “The Cold Civil War” by Ayn Rand in The Ayn Rand Marx’s philosophy produced Soviet Russia, “If so,” Rand continued, “then all men and Column (aynrandbookstore.com) Red China, the Eastern European communist all private groups have to fight to the death for the • “The Roots of War” by Ayn Rand in Capitalism: The nations, Castro’s Cuba, and the socialist or privilege of being regarded as ‘the public.’ The Unknown Ideal (aynrandbookstore.com) semi-socialist states around the world. That’s government’s policy has to swing like an erratic • “The Road to Socialized Medicine Is Paved with Pre- quite an impressive result for a philosophy, pendulum from group to group, hitting some and existing Conditions” series in Forbes by Yaron Brook and (http://onforb.es/fUTsRn) however disastrous and blood-soaked a result it favoring others, at the whim of any given moment.” has been. (“The Pull Peddlers”) Watch The history of the twentieth century has In such a political system, “a legislator’s job • “Atlas Shrugged—America’s Second Declaration of been shaped by the collision of two systems of consists in sacrificing some men to others. No matter Independence” by Onkar Ghate (ARC-TV) philo-sophy: collectivism, of either the Marxist what choice he makes, no choice of this kind can be • “What Can You Do to Stop the Alarming Growth of Government?” by Yaron Brook (ARC-TV) or the fascist variety, and , the phi- morally justified (and never has been).” (“The Prin- • “Lessons from the Financial Crisis: More Government or losophy of America’s Founding Fathers. Amer- cipals and the Principles” in The Ayn Rand Letter) Less?” by Yaron Brook (ARC-TV) ica’s individualism has been badly damaged by The worst aspect of the situation, therefore, “is continued on page 5

ARI Participates in Los Angeles Times Festival of Books or the last nine years, ARI has hosted a booth signed up for the Institute’s mailing list were entered was signed by several of its contributors. Fat the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of into a contest to win a free set of 100 Voices, Why Several ARI staff members were present at the Books, a weekend-long event where booksellers, Businessmen Need Philosophy and Atlas Shrugged. booth to sell books and give out information about publishers and cultural organizations can display In addition, those who signed up for Ayn Rand Cen- the Institute’s various education programs. Since and sell their books to the general public. The ter (ARC) fellow Alex Epstein’s monthly newsletter the festival was held on a college campus, ARI festival also includes author signing opportunities, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Energy” could win anticipated that many college students would stop poetry readings and many other exciting events for a copy of Why Businessmen Need Philosophy that by the booth. This indeed happened, and many of book-lovers. The festival is the largest of its kind in the students expressed interest in Ayn Rand’s ideas the country and attracts more than 140,000 people without knowing that an ARI-supported campus every year. club exists at USC. ARI had fliers about the club on This year’s festival was held April 30–May 1 hand for these students. on the University of Southern California (USC) Teachers were another set of people who fre- campus in Los Angeles, California. ARI’s booth quently stopped by the booth. Some were unfamiliar was stacked with copies of Ayn Rand’s novels with the fact that they could receive free sets of and nonfiction works at discount prices. Some of Ayn Rand’s novels for their classrooms, so the ARI’s new collections, such as 100 Voices: An festival was a terrific opportunity to let them know Oral History of Ayn Rand by Scott McConnell and about the Institute’s free books to teachers program Why Businessmen Need Philosophy: The Capital- and our annual essay contests for high school and ist’s Guide to the Ideas Behind Ayn Rand’s “Atlas college students. Shrugged,” edited by Debi Ghate and Richard E. Most people who visited the booth were Ralston, were also available for sale. ARI staff members Don Watkins and Anu Seppala at ARI’s booth at the Los familiar with Ayn Rand because of the immense ARI held two raffles at the festival. Those who Angeles Times Festival of Books continued on page 6 2 In the past quarter, the following opportunities contact, the request represents a new kind of have presented themselves: engagement with Rand’s ideas. That we are receiving such requests sug- • An economics professor at a well-regarded na- gests a developing atmosphere in academia tional liberal arts college has sought Anthem’s where Rand is becoming a natural part of the Update from the support for a half-day seminar investigating conversation, no Objectivist required. And it is Rand’s philosophy and literature. The seminar happening across disciplines. Anthem Foundation will pair professors from the philosophy and At the same time, there is growing demand literature departments of the college with Rand for support from the Anthem Foundation for he Anthem Foundation is a 501(c)(3) orga- scholars from outside the university. intellectual (as well as financial) resources. Non- T nization, separate from ARI, that provides Objectivist academics are recognizing the value funding to colleges and universities whose aca- • As expected and as mentioned in July, a law of Objectivist scholars, who can provide the demics are engaged in serious scholarship school has formally requested funding for a expertise necessary for serious discussion about based on Objectivism. The following is an center on law, markets, and morality where Rand’s books and ideas. Instead of us recruiting excerpt from senior director Debi Ghate’s quar- Objectivism will be one of the major view- non-Objectivists to participate in our events on terly letter to donors. To learn more about the points studied. Anthem is in the process of Rand, we are now witnessing non-Objectivists Anthem Foundation, visit anthemfoundation.org. funding an initial speaking series featuring recruiting us for their events on Rand. The Anthem Foundation will host a lunch for Rand scholars, with further collaboration po- To recount a story related to this last point, donors who are contributing at the annual level tentially to follow. . . . I mentioned in my last letter that George Mason of $2,500-plus at the Objectivist summer confer- University had requested funding in support ence next month in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. • An economics professor has asked Anthem to of Professor Adam Mossoff’s activities in the New donors who contribute at this level will be provide the keynote and other speakers for a con- area of intellectual property rights. This request welcome to join the lunch. The Anthem Founda- ference on the morality of capitalism expected came about when the organizer of a conference tion board of directors and staff will be on hand to reach more than 700 students. The conference session turned to Anthem for help finding a to provide updates about their activities and an- has the backing of the university’s senior vice speaker who could defend intellectual property swer questions. For conference information and chancellor and the dean of the business school, on principle. The result was a session at the registration, visit objectivistconferences.com. and would be tied to capstone courses taken 2011 conference of the Association for Private by all business school students. The capstone Enterprise Education titled “Law, Economics, Dear Anthem Donor: courses have already been approved by the uni- and Philosophy of Intellectual Property,” with versity—without funding or external support. Professor Mossoff as one of four panelists. As My last letter to you with the other requests, the session organizer detailed the progress that I’m excited about two aspects of these was a non-Objectivist academic who realized the Anthem Foundation requests. The first is that they are all serious the value of bringing an Objectivist scholar into made in 2010, as we com- academic endeavors in which Rand will be a the discussion. . . . pleted our transition into central, if not the central, figure of study. The a “full-service” academic second is that all of the individuals organizing Sincerely, grant- and gift-making orga- these events are non-Objectivists; and in three nization. Three months into of the . . . instances, the professors seeking sup- 2011, I am happy to provide port for these events were completely unknown you with more examples of the kinds of requests to us prior to making their requests. In the case Debi Ghate we are receiving that necessitated that transition. of the professor with whom we have had prior Senior Director

Exciting Additions to Objectivist Summer Conference Lineup

RI is pleased to announce July 3. He will provide the historical context for Special Group Lunch: A several exciting schedule Henry’s inspiring speech that rallied the colonies’ Why Businessmen Need Philosophy additions to the Objectivist leaders to take up arms against King George III. Wednesday, July 6; 12:15–1:40 p.m. summer conference next month The dramatic presentation of Patrick Henry’s The editors and several contributors of the in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. speech will be performed in period costume. new edition of Why Businessmen Need Philosophy For conference registration will be available for audience questions during this and latest schedule updates, Book Signing for 100 Voices: luncheon. After brief opening remarks, the floor visit objectivistconferences.com. An Oral History of Ayn Rand will be open for your questions to John A. Allison, Monday, July 4; 6:15 p.m. , and others. Co-editors World Premiere of Dystopia Now? The World of Following a Q&A with Debi Ghate and Richard E. Ralston will moderate “Atlas Shrugged” Documentary ARI board co-chairman this lunch event. Saturday, July 2; 9–10:45 p.m. Michael S. Berliner and Following the opening banquet, come join several conference attendees Book Signings for Why Businessmen Need us for a sneak preview of the soon-to-be-released who were interviewed for the Philosophy: The Capitalist’s Guide to the Ideas feature documentary Dystopia Now? The World book 100 Voices: An Oral Behind Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” and The of “Atlas Shrugged.” Producer/director Chris History of Ayn Rand, there Selfish Path to Romance Mortensen will screen his controversial ninety- will be a special book signing Thursday, July 7; 6–7 p.m. minute film on the genesis, impact and continued with the interviewees. The relevance of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. This book signing is free and does extensively researched film includes enlightening not require registration for the Q&A session. interviews with Rand biographers, scholars, prom- inent businessmen, journalists and others, as well Special Group Lunch: as never-before-seen footage of Ayn Rand. Don’t Lunch with Students of the Objectivist miss this chance to see the almost-completed film Academic Center (OAC) before this fall’s official release. Tuesday, July 5; 12:15–1:40 p.m. Come have lunch with Special Group Lunch: alumni and current students “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” of the OAC—ARI’s pro- Sunday, July 3; 12:15–1:40 p.m. gram of advanced instruc- The co-editors of the new edition of Why Andrew Lewis, assis- tion in Objectivism. Your support makes our Businessmen Need Philosophy and several tant director at VanDamme OAC program possible and our students look of its contributors will be available to sign Academy, where he teaches a forward to having an opportunity to meet you copies of the book. Co-authors Ellen Kenner three-year history curriculum, and share with you their career plans and expe- and Edwin A. Locke will also be available to will present Patrick Henry’s riences! This informal event will have tables sign copies of their book, The Selfish Path “Give Me Liberty or Give hosted by Objectivist students who plan to pur- to Romance, which was released earlier this Me Death” speech during the sue intellectual careers in various fields. year. Both book signings are free and require special group luncheon on no registration.

3 We the Living Marks 75th Year of Publication, continued from page 1 made in We the Living and later writings to her philosophical studies at Petrograd State University The first printing of my autobiography and that Kira, the heroine, is in Russia. Lastly, Dr. Mayhew will examine the role We the Living produced me. I was born in Russia, I was educated under of the concept “sacred” in the novel. 3,000 copies, which sold the Soviets, I have seen the conditions of exis- At the Objectivist summer conference next out in less than two years. tence that I describe. The particulars of Kira’s month in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, these three Unfortunately, the pub- story were not mine; I did not study engineer- contributors will discuss the new chapters they lisher, Macmillan, stopped ing, as she did—I studied history; I did not want have written for the forthcoming expanded edition. printing copies and the to build bridges—I wanted to write; her physi- A Q&A will follow the panel discussion. The film novel remained out of cal appearance bears no resemblance to mine, adaptation of We the Living will also be screened at print in the United States neither does her family. The specific events of the conference (read more about the unique history for more than twenty Kira’s life were not mine; her ideas, her convic- of the filmbelow ). years. In 1959, two years tions, her values were and are. In addition, , manager of the after the publication of Ayn Rand Archives, a Special Collection of the Atlas Shrugged, Random House released a revised To celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of , is organizing an exhibit at edition of the novel. Since then, close to three mil- the publication of We the Living, the book’s current Chapman University in Orange, California, to lion copies have been sold. publisher, New American Library, has released this celebrate the anniversary of the novel’s publi- Many people asked Rand if We the Living was month new mass market and trade editions of the cation. On display will be Ayn Rand’s original an autobiographical account of Rand’s experiences novel. Both editions mark the seventy-fifth anniver- manuscript pages of We the Living. in Soviet Russia. In the foreword of the revised edi- sary of the book’s publication on their covers. The The exhibit will take place this fall and more tion, Rand addressed this question by saying that mass market edition now includes the new intro- information will be made available in the coming We the Living was “as near to an autobiography as duction written by Dr. , Ayn Rand’s months. To register for the panel discussion and I will ever write.” She explained: intellectual heir, for the trade edition two years ago. movie screening at the Objectivist summer confer- (Read Impact’s interview with Dr. Peikoff in the ence, visit objectivistconferences.com. It is not an autobiography in the literal, but only January 2010 issue for more on his introduction.) in the intellectual, sense. The plot is invented; Several other events are in the works to cel- the background is not. As a writer of the Roman- ebrate the anniversary of the novel. By early next Impact is published monthly by the Ayn Rand® Institute (ARI) and is tic school, I would never be willing to transcribe year, an expanded edition of Essays on Ayn Rand’s complimentary to current donors who contribute $35 or more per year. For information on how you can support ARI and to learn about our projects, a “real life” story, which would amount to evad- “We the Living” will be released. This edition will please visit our website: aynrand.org. Atlantis Legacy®, the Institute’s ing the most important and most difficult part include the aforementioned introduction by planned giving program, and related indicia are registered trademarks. The Ayn Rand Archives is a Special Collection of the Ayn Rand Institute. of creative writing: the construction of a plot. Dr. Peikoff as the collection’s epilogue. In addition, Objectivist Conferences (OCON) and the Ayn Rand Bookstore are owned Besides, it would bore me to death. My view the collection will include three new essays. and operated by the Ayn Rand Institute. The Ayn Rand Institute does not necessarily endorse the content of the lectures and courses offered. All of what a good autobiography should be is con- Dr. Ghate will write about the character Leo Kova- photos of Ayn Rand are used by permission of Leonard Peikoff. Purchases tained in the title that Louis H. Sullivan gave to lensky. Dr. Shoshana Milgram, associate professor from the Ayn Rand Bookstore and OCON do not qualify as tax-deductible the story of his life: The Autobiography of an of English at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. Idea. It is only in this sense that We the Living is University, will discuss the references Ayn Rand Editors: Rituparna Basu, Don Watkins Editorial Advisers: Yaron Brook, Mark Chapman, Steven Dougherty, Debi Ghate, , Anu Seppala, Lin Zinser Designer: Simon Federman Printing: David Antonacci Copy Editor: Donna Montrezza Headquarters: 2121 Alton Parkway, Suite 250 History Behind the Film Adaptation of We the Living Irvine, CA 92606-4926 Phone: 949-222-6550 Fax: 949-222-6558 © The Ayn Rand Institute 2011. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced he film adaptation Ministry of Popular without permission. ARI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions Tof We the Living Culture. The film to ARI in the United States are tax-exempt to the extent provided by law. was released during attacked dictator- World War II in Italy as a ship and praised two-part film calledNoi the individual, thus Vivi (We the Living) and criticizing both com- Addio Kira (Good-bye munism and fascism Kira). Benito Mussolini’s with an attack on son gave permission for both. Benito Musso- the film to be produced lini was reported to because the novel was be furious, and after seen as anti-Russian propaganda and, therefore, six months, Nazi Germany pressured the Fascists pro-Fascist. Under Italian war law, copyrights for to withdraw the film from release.” Fifteen years the novel did not have to be observed. In a letter to later, Ayn Rand’s case was settled out of court for her attorney in 1946, Rand expressed disgust over fourteen million Italian lire (US$22,778). the situation. She wrote: Despite her disapproval of how the movie was made, Rand’s response to the content of the film I should sue not only for whatever royalties are was generally positive. She wrote in 1947: due me, but also and primarily for the damage to my reputation as a writer, damage caused by the The cast, direction and production are excellent. fact that a book of mine was produced as Fascist The adaptation follows my novel closely—until propaganda. We the Living is a story laid in Soviet the last part of the picture, at which point some Russia, and it is anti-Soviet but, above all, it is anti- changes have been made. . . . [T]he story has not dictatorship. Therefore, it is as much anti-Fascist been distorted into Fascist propaganda in any as anti-Communist, and I resent, more than the major way, but it does contain some lines of dia- financial piracy, the use of my material or the dis- logue stuck in without relation to the story, which tortion of my message into a pro-Fascist picture. are most objectionable and offensive to me. . . . The interpreter caught one blatantly Fascist, anti- The fact that the novel attacked tyrannical Semitic line—and I do not know how many other governments of all forms was not lost on the lines there may be, which she did not get. audience. Jeff Britting, manager of the Ayn Rand Archives, describes in his essay “Adapting We the The film has since then been edited and was Living” in Essays on Ayn Rand’s “We the Liv- re-released with English subtitles in 1986 as ing” that the film “became a rallying point for the We the Living. More information about the film besieged Italian population. . . . What was mani- adaptation of the novel can be found in Essays festly clear to the Italian public during the fall and on Ayn Rand’s “We the Living,” available at winter of 1942–1943 gradually became clear to the aynrandbookstore.com.

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4 Excerpt from Why Businessmen ARI Has a Regular Seat at Leading Need Philosophy, continued from page 2 Free-Market Intellectual Society the collectivist philosophy, so that the capitalist system with which we started has been replaced n April Dr. Brook was invited to the Mont Pelerin marized their answer this way: by our present welfare state. I Society’s regional meeting in Buenos Aires, Philosophy rules life whether people accept Argentina, titled “The Populist Challenge to Latin Our view is that the answer has to do with peo- or deny the power of philosophic ideas. Phi- American Liberty.” ple’s most basic moral views. There is a deep- losophy operates whether or not anyone recog- The Mont Pelerin Society (MPS) is a leading seated distrust and disapproval of markets that is nizes its influence. international group of free-market thinkers that rooted in a near-universal suspicion of self-inter- Marxism, ironically, holds that philosophy dates back to post–World War II years. Alarmed by est and its economic concomitant, the profit mo- is hot air. What directs societies and human the rising consensus throughout the world that the tive. As we argue, these views are so widespread history, Marx taught, is not ideas but economic economy should be planned and controlled by the that even capitalism’s alleged champions tend to conditions. But his philosophy, not economic government, economist Friedrich Hayek organized embrace them, crippling their ability to defend conditions, is what put whole nations under the a meeting in April 1947 in Mt. Pèlerin, Switzerland, the profit system. thumb of communist dictatorship. Russia was for thirty-nine classical liberal thinkers. Included A related, secondary cause of the growth poor and semi-feudal, but it went communist; were individuals like Ludwig von Mises, Milton of government is the failure to adequately de- Britain was relatively rich and fairly capitalist, Friedman and Henry Hazlitt. fine capitalism. Capitalism, properly under- but it went socialist for a period, as did Sweden At the meeting, the men (and one woman— stood, is the system of laissez-faire: a total and many other countries. America in 1776 British historian Veronica Wedgwood) decided to separation of state and economics, where the was far poorer than Russia was in 1917, but we form an organization through which they could net- government’s role is solely to protect individual went capitalist. Why? Because of a philosophy, work with each other and discuss economic issues. rights, including private property rights. Today, the individualist philosophy America inherited The goal of the organization was not to directly however, capitalism is often defined in a way from the English philosopher John Locke. influence public opinion but to foster academic dis- that makes it compatible with controls and reg- Marx was an economic determinist. He cussion of free-market ideas, a subject they saw as ulations, wealth redistribution, and other forms thought money creates ideas. In fact, ideas cre- quickly fading from scholarly conversation. At the of state intervention in the economy. This fact, ate money. Or at least rational ideas do. And end of the meeting, they decided to call themselves combined with widespread suspicion of the I’m not referring here to concrete ideas, but to the Mont Pelerin Society. profit motive, leads people to blame problems fundamental ones. I don’t mean that an idea Four of its original attendees (Hayek, Friedman, created by government intervention on capital- for a better mousetrap will cause the world to George Stigler and Maurice Allais) later went on to ism—and call for more government controls to beat a path to your door. Rather, I’m saying that win the Nobel Prize in economics. Friedman attrib- cure these problems. those who accept the irrational philosophic idea uted his interest in public policy to MPS. Three later of animal “rights” will not even try to build a members also won the prestigious award. After the meeting, Dr. Brook was offered an better mousetrap. They will spend their time Today MPS has more than five hundred invitation to become a member of the Mont Pelerin trying to protect mice from man’s traps. It’s members and attendance to its events is by invita- Society, which he gladly accepted. your philosophic ideas about the nature of mice tion only. At the urging of ARI donor and MPS Dr. Brook commented on the whole event: and men, and the purpose of your life, that gov- member Ed Thompson, ARI has exhibited at “The fact that Ayn Rand’s ideas are now being ern your goals and set your values. Mont Pelerin meetings for several years and last discussed in one of the leading free-market organi- The point is that philosophy is so powerful year hosted a breakfast talk with Dr. Brook at the zations in the world is a tremendous achievement. because it sets the fundamentals of a man’s life MPS general meeting in Sydney, Australia. At the It illustrates the increasing intellectual seriousness and of a society’s institutions. regional meeting this year, Dr. Brook was invited with which academics view Rand’s contributions to And let me disabuse you of a thought that for the first time to be a panelist. He participated in capitalist thought. may have occurred to you. I don’t claim phi- the discussion titled “Why Is Populism So Popular “Leading free-market thinkers today are more losophy has this importance because I am a phi- and Capitalism So Feared in the World Today?” As aware of Rand’s moral and political theory than losopher. It’s the other way around: I decided part of the meeting’s procedures, Dr. Brook and Ayn ever before. If even some of them go back to their to become a philosopher because I realized that Rand Center analyst Don Watkins submitted a co- educational institutions and discuss Rand positively philosophy has this importance. Philosophy has authored paper to the organization in advance. The with their colleagues and students, this will be its power to shape human existence because paper was titled “Why is Capitalism So Unpopu- the start of reshaping how capitalism is taught in philosophy deals in fundamentals. lar?” and sought to answer that question. They sum- colleges around the world.”

Recent PJTV and Other Media Appearances New Content at Forbes.com

very week ARC intellectuals appear on the PJTV.com news show Front Page with EAllen Barton. Visit ARC-TV.com regularly to keep up with these and other ARC RC president Yaron Book and analyst Don Watkins write regularly media appearances. A at Forbes.com—under the title “The Objectivist.” Visit http://blogs .forbes.com/objectivist to keep up with their writing. We encourage you to • May 23, 2011: Alex Epstein on Front Page (“ObamaCare Predicated on Flawed comment on, share and “follow” the column. Health Care Research”) The following is an excerpt from an article on the meaning of the Robin Hood myth. The article was immensely popular, generating more • May 20, 2011: Alex Epstein on Front Page (“Israel and Palestine”; “DC’s Light Bulb than 19,000 views and shared by more than 5,000 people on . Lunacy”) • May 15, 2011: Don Watkins on Front Page (“Everything You Need to Know About May 6, 2011: “It’s Time to Kill the ‘Robin Hood’ Myth” the Debt Ceiling Debate in 5 Minutes”) • May 14, 2011: Don Watkins on Front Page (“Can America Survive Its Crushing If you were to judge by the rhetoric, you might think that Paul Ryan’s Debt?”; “Don’t Worry, Be Happy. . . . With Big Government”) plan for reducing the federal deficit slashed the government’s budget by • May 13, 2011: Don Watkins on Front Page (“Life’s a Beach in California Where 90%, and funded the killing of kittens to boot. E.J. Dionne, for instance, Some Lifeguards Make $200,000 a Year”) calls it “radical,” “irresponsible,” and “extreme,” and asks, is this “the end of progressive government?” The truth is that Ryan actually proposes • May 9, 2011: Yaron Brook on The Daily Ticker (Yahoo!® Finance network, “Atlas increasing government spending in the coming years—just at a lower rate Shrugged: Americans Still Look for Economic Answers in Ayn Rand’s Classic”; than current projections. So why are Ryan’s critics so up in arms? “ Betrayed Ayn Rand and Ruined the Economy”; “GOP Should Because Ryan’s plan dares to touch (albeit, merely to scratch) the Repeal Dodd-Frank and Abolish the Fed”) untouchable entitlement state. Ryan’s plan would, among other things, • May 9, 2011: Yaron Brook on Front Page (“Bin Laden Wanted to Leave Our trim and reorganize Medicare and Medicaid and reduce federal support Economy in Ruins. Did He?”) for education. To the plan’s critics, this amounts to “reverse-Robin Hood • May 7, 2011: Yaron Brook on Front Page (“What’s Next After bin Laden?”; “The redistribution,” as former vice chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan South Carolina Republican Debate”) Blinder put it. “[A]bout two-thirds of Mr. Ryan’s so-called courageous • May 6, 2011: Yaron Brook on Front Page (“Is the Tea Party Waning, or Just budget cuts would come from programs serving low- and moderate- Dormant?”) income Americans, while the rich would gain from copious tax cuts.” The “reverse-Robin Hood” line suggests that Ryan’s plan robs from • May 2, 2011: Tom Bowden on Front Page (“Licensed to Death”; “Federal Reserve “the poor” and gives to “the rich.” But cutting entitlements is not rob- Press Conference”; “Responsibilities: Are Republicans Living Up to Theirs?”; “A bery—and cutting taxes isn’t a gift. Tale of Two Recoveries”)

5 Donor Takes Advantage of Temporary Legislation to Support ARI

ongtime Objectivist Marilyn George has been a For her first IRA gift in 2009, Mrs. L supporter of the Institute since 1986. A limited- George’s circumstances allowed her to donate time opportunity made possible by congressional legis- substantially more than her Required Minimum lation (see related article on this page for details) in recent years has allowed Distribution (RMD) for that year. In 2010, Mrs. George to transfer, tax-free, funds to ARI from her Individual Retire- somewhat concerned about income and cash ment Account. She took advantage of this opportunity in 2009 and 2010, flow, she gave ARI exactly the amount of her instead of giving stock or cash from other accounts as she customarily does, RMD. This year she is planning to donate and she is planning to employ the same strategy again this year. twice the amount of her RMD. Mrs. George is a retired Montessori school owner and teacher from the Mrs. George said, “When it hit me that Ted Gray and Marilyn George Seattle area, where she also taught the Montessori method to students and the government was going to force me to take interns at Seattle University. She and her husband Ted Gray, a retired mechan- money out of my IRA after age 70.5, I was irate. When the opportunity arose to ical engineer, met at an Objectivist conference in 1989, and now make their donate that forced withdrawal and not pay taxes on it, I was delighted. Also, I home in South Carolina. For seventeen years during the 1990s and 2000s, like seeing my IRA dollars (that will go to ARI one day anyway) in action now they taught ballroom dancing at Objectivist summer conferences. while I am here to enjoy the success they make possible. But my first IRA gift Mrs. George first became aware of Ayn Rand in the late fifties, when to the Institute was a big one not only because I wanted to give ARI as much as a friend who graduated from Iowa State University a year ahead of her and possible, but because I felt as if I were slapping the IRS in the face! moved to New York City called her long-distance and asked, “Have you read “More broadly, I am delighted that there is a continually growing and active the novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand?” “No,” she replied, “what’s it about?” organization to give to in support of my values. ARI has so many projects and (Recalling this exchange, she commented, “I had no idea at the time what a programs going now, I can’t keep track of them all. Experiencing the media huge question I was asking!”) After her friend told her what it was about, she content and execution—in print, online, and on radio and television—gives asked, “Is it science fiction?” He replied, “Well, yes. But no.” me great pleasure. In this regard, Yaron Brook earns extra stars from me for She did not read the book, however, until 1964, when at a party an doing the work of three men while remaining unflappably on-message, with acquaintance read aloud Francisco’s “Money Speech.” She bought a copy energy and passion to spare! And as I grow older and my career becomes an immediately, and her family had to fend for themselves in the kitchen for increasingly distant memory, I find that my involvement with ARI’s programs, several days until she finished reading it. She subsequently read Ayn Rand’s people, and successes replaces some of the time and energy I spent in decades of other books, and the Objectivist philosophy has guided her life ever since. teaching. It is a trader relationship that has contributed greatly to my pride and Over the past decade, Mrs. George and Mr. Gray have been ARI contri- happiness in retirement.” butors at the Benefactor level, and since 2005 they have been Benefactors to Since the legislation first went into effect in 2006, Mrs. George and thirty- the Anthem Foundation for Objectivist Scholarship as well; their gifts to the two other donors have made a total of eighty-eight contributions to the Institute Anthem Foundation are matched by Mr. Gray’s former employer, General from their IRAs. These donors’ contributions have ranged in size from $100 Electric. They are also Atlantis Legacy donors, having made provisions for to $96,000. Can you follow their lead? Please continue reading on this page to the Institute in their estate plans. learn more about the IRA opportunity.

The IRA Gift Opportunity ARI Participates in Los Angeles Times your income levels exceed IRS limits. Festival of Books, continued from page 2 ere you born before July 1, 1941? Do you • You live in a state with a state income tax that Whave an Individual Retirement Account? If provides no tax breaks for charitable gifts. popularity of Atlas Shrugged. For this reason, ARI your answer to both questions is “Yes,” you may • Your non-IRA contributions will reach the annual had fliers on hand promoting Atlas Shrugged read- be able to save taxes by supporting ARI in 2011. charitable deduction limitation. ing groups in the Southern California area, an effort The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance • You want to reduce the size of retirement assets in in line with the “Read Atlas Shrugged Campaign” Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 your estate. discussed in last month’s Impact. Alex Epstein and became law last December 17. Of potential interest ARC analyst Don Watkins were also at the booth to qualifying ARI donors is one of the charitable For more detailed information—including a sample to answer people’s questions about Ayn Rand’s giving incentives (extended from legislation that letter of instruction to your IRA administrator—visit philosophy and its application to events today. expired initially in 2007) included in the act: For our IRA FAQ. Among the questions answered are: Anu Seppala, ARI director of cultural outreach, individuals who own IRAs and have reached the commented on the event: “Overall, our participation age of 70.5, tax-free distributions to nonprofit • I do not itemize deductions on my tax return. If I in the festival was very successful. We were able to organizations are possible until the end of 2011. transfer funds from my IRA to the Institute, how promote Ayn Rand’s works to thousands of people (Before this legislation, most distributions from do I achieve the tax savings? and discuss her ideas with hundreds of them, one- traditional IRAs were fully taxable.) • Distributions from my Roth IRA are already tax- on-one. It was wonderful to be able to connect with In addition to being tax-free, such distri-butions free. What’s the tax advantage to me of making a our reading audience and hear their stories about also count toward the IRA holder’s annual Required transfer to ARI from my Roth IRA? how they first discovered Ayn Rand, their reaction Minimum Distribution (RMD). And since there is • I have already taken a distribution from my IRA to her ideas and the life-long inspiration she has no tax deduction involved—the distribution is sim- in 2011. Is it too late to send that money to ARI provided to so many.” ply excluded from gross income—even those who tax-free instead? do not itemize deductions may be eligible. Here are • If my spouse has an IRA and has reached age the requirements imposed by the legislation: 70.5, can both of us transfer up to $100,000 to Yaron Brook Speaks on a Wide Array ARI from our IRAs? • You must have reached the age of 70.5 before • Why would I want to reduce the size of my IRA of Topics to a Wide Array of Audiences, continued from page 1 making a charitable distribution from your IRA. by making a transfer to ARI? • Distributions must be completed by December 31, • Can an IRA gift to ARI help with estate taxes? A Roundtable Discussion,” BB&T Foundation 2011. • I have already named the Institute as the death Programs Conference, Clemson, SC, June 1–2 • Distributions must be from your traditional or beneficiary of my IRA. Why donate from my (hosted by ARI and Clemson Institute for the Study rollover IRA (other retirement plans such as the IRA now? of Capitalism) 40l(k), 403(b) and TIAA-CREF do not qualify). • If I conclude that I want to take advantage of the • Distributions must be made to qualified organi- legislation, how do I go about executing a transfer Public Outreach zations as defined in the legislation (for example, from my IRA to ARI? • “Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and Its Relevance ARI qualifies, but the Anthem Foundation for Today,” Rotary Club of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Objectivist Scholarship does not). If you do not have access to the Internet, ARI CA, March 4 • Distributions must be made directly to the Institute will send you a printed copy of the entire FAQ • “Government: What Is Its Proper Role?,” “First (not via a withdrawal by you). about the IRA opportunity. To request a printed Principles” debate series, New York, NY, March • Total charitable distributions from your IRAs copy and/or to inquire further, contact gift & estate 10 (hosted by Ayn Rand Center for Individual must not exceed $100,000 for the year; other planning manager Kathy Cross at 732-242-9408 or Rights, Demos and WNYC) than this limit, distributions may be in any [email protected]. For more information about • “Shakespeare, Politics and Shylock: A Political amount, even if the amount is more than, or planned giving, visit our Atlantis Legacy pages. Forum,” Austin Shakespeare theater company, less than, your RMD. Austin, TX, March 24 and 26 • “54 Years Later: The Lessons of Atlas Shrugged,” ARI is committed to providing donors with accurate and If you meet the basic requirements, you may find authoritative information about charitable contributions. Libertad Querida!, Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 19 the IRA gift option especially attractive under the However, we cannot render legal or tax advisory services. • “US Foreign Policy in the Middle East,” Leader- following circumstances: We urge donors to consult their own advisors regarding ship Program of the Rockies, Denver, CO, May 13 the tax and legal consequences of potential gifts. We are • “Gaining the Moral High Ground: Why Govern- • You do not itemize deductions on your tax return. pleased to work with donors’ advisors as well as our own ment Health Care Is Immoral,” Doctors Town • Your itemized deductions will be reduced because to help ensure the best result for all concerned. Hall, Costa Mesa, CA, May 14 6