Volume 11, Number 4, April 2005 152,000 Books Installed in Classrooms ince launching the Free Books to Teachers project Thanks to the generosity of ARI donors, who have or state.) Our ultimate goal is to blanket the nation’s Sin 2002, ARI has placed more than 152,000 copies sponsored books for specific geographical regions, and schools from coast to coast. of and in classrooms across thanks to the interest of teachers, our project has grown It is by means of this project and related educa- America. We offer free copies of Ayn Rand’s novels year after year. During the pilot phase of the program, tional efforts that we hope to boost the readership of to teachers who wish to teach the books, but who for in the 2002–03 school year, we sent 9,000 books to Ayn Rand’s works, particularly among students. They lack of funds cannot acquire enough copies for their schools across the country; the following year we sup- are a prime audience—still open to reason and seek- students. Teachers have welcomed the books with open plied 54,000 books; and this academic year we have so ing a rational moral compass for their lives. When they arms. Typical of the comments we have received is far shipped nearly 90,000 books. meet Howard Roark, for instance, many of them grasp, this one, from a high school teacher in Grand Malais, Last summer Dr. , ARI’s executive on some level, what he stands for. As one teacher from Michigan: “[My students] found [Anthem] very acces- director, announced the goal of distributing 100,000 East Troy, Wisconsin, reported: “Students, overall, were sible and enjoyed discussing it in class. . . . A hearty books this academic year. We are weeks, if not days, riveted. They found Rand’s ideas radical, challenging, THANK YOU for free books in these tight times.” away from hitting that target. and intriguing. [. . .] I’m grateful for the complimentary The map below shows all of the states, counties We invite your support for this important effort. copies of The Fountainhead and will continue to use and cities to which we have sent books since 2002. ARI Please call or write us if you are interested in sponsor- them in my classroom.” has distributed books in 19 states, 52 counties and 28 ing a region of the United States that has not already This is just the reaction that we are seeking to cities across the nation, plus Saskatchewan, Quebec, been spoken for. The cost is roughly proportional to generate—nationwide. Your continued support could Toronto and Vancouver. If each of these 152,000 books the overall population of the area. (In due course you enable us to expand the program so that every high is assigned by a teacher once per year during its antici- will be able to find out on our Web site how much it school student in America is introduced to the novels of pated five-year lifespan, our efforts will have enabled would cost to sponsor books for a particular city, county Ayn Rand. approximately 760,000 students to discover Ayn Rand.

AK YUKON NWT NUNAVUT CANADA NF BC PQ PEI AB MB NB 25 SK ON NS

WA 24 ME 21 MT ND VT OR MN NH ID NY 9 WI 20 SD 17 MA MI 5 CT RI WY 12 11 6 18 7 10 19 ID PA NE NJ 4 IN OH DC DE NV UT IL MD CO 8 13 WV VA CA KS 15 14 MO KY NC AZ 16 TN 2 3 OK AR SC 1 NM GA MS AL TX LA 22 23

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U.S. Map used with permission from: http://geography.about.com Panel Discussion on Ayn Rand at George Mason University

ast month a panel discussion in celebration and Ldefense of Ayn Rand was held at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. The panelists were Jeff Britting, author of Ayn Rand and archivist at the Ayn Rand Archives, (see interview and related article starting on next page) and Dr. Robert Mayhew, author of the recently published Ayn Rand and Song of Russia: Communism and Anti-Communism in 1940s value, such as a used car salesman’s setting back of Hollywood. The special focus of the panel was Ayn The Virtues: Honesty the odometer in the cars he sells, makes the intelli- Rand’s testimony before the House Un-American Each month Impact suggests readings and other gence and knowledge of other people a threat to him. Activities Committee (HUAC). resources for fans of Ayn Rand’s fiction who wish to For instance, if a customer notes that the wear on the learn more about her philosophy, . tire tread could only have occurred through double the mileage that the odometer reads, the salesman onesty is one of the virtues in the Objectivist would need to invent another lie to cover the first. Hethics. Whereas conventional Judeo-Christian Or if the salesman’s honest coworkers notice that he morality regards honesty as a mystical commandment is mysteriously adept at acquiring old cars with low handed down from on high (“thou shalt not lie”), mileage, they may become suspicious and question Ayn Rand regards honesty as a this-worldly necessity his actions—for which he would have to invent yet for successful living. On her view, being honest is more cover stories, which in turn may be exposed, not an out-of-context duty, but a necessary means of and so on. attaining values. The honest man recognizes “that an attempt to Honesty is the virtue of “never attempting] to gain a value by deceiving the mind of others is an fake reality,” to oneself or to others. (“The Objectivist act of raising your victims to a position higher than Ethics,” in The Virtue of Selfishness) It is “the recogni- reality, where you become a pawn of their blindness, tion of the fact that the unreal is unreal and can have a slave of their non-thinking and their evasions, while no value, that neither love nor fame nor cash is a value their intelligence, their rationality, their perceptive- if obtained by fraud.” () Since man ness become the enemies you have to dread and flee.” lives in reality, since wishes cannot alter facts or wipe (Atlas Shrugged) In 1947 she testified as a friendly witness before them out of existence—man must conform to reality if Ayn Rand briefly discusses honesty in Galt’s the committee and discussed the pro-Soviet film Song he is to survive. speech in Atlas Shrugged (that passage is reprinted of Russia. Like other friendly witnesses, Miss Rand was This virtue is an application of the cardinal virtue in ) and in “The Objectiv- maligned for testifying. In his book Dr. Mayhew pres- of rationality. Rationality is the “recognition and ist Ethics,” in The Virtue of Selfishness. A detailed ents a “case study [which] supports an appraisal quite acceptance of reason as one’s only source of knowl- discussion of honesty—and an illustration of how different from the standard picture of Hollywood com- edge, one’s only judge of values and one’s only guide dishonesty pits man against reality—can be found munism, the 1947 HUAC hearings, and how we ought to action.” (Philosophy: Who Needs It) The exponent in chapter 8 of Dr. Peikoff’s Objectivism: The to evaluate the friendly witnesses (including Rand) who of rationality, paraphrasing , acknowl- Philosophy of Ayn Rand. Another valuable source is cooperated with the HUAC, and the unfriendly wit- edges that existence exists; the exponent of honesty Dr. Peikoff’s taped course “Understanding Objectiv- nesses (the Hollywood Ten) who did not.” acknowledges that only existence exists. ism,” the third lecture of which contains a discus- After 30-minute statements from each panelist, the Attempting to gain a value by dishonest means sion of honesty. See also his course “Advanced audience had a chance to ask questions for another hour actually deprives the value of its worth, because it Seminars on Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn and a half. Mr. Britting told Impact that the audience is obtained at the cost of putting oneself at war with Rand,” particularly the discussion of the virtues as was attentive and appeared sympathetic to the panel- reality. A dishonest act committed in order to gain a crucial expressions of rationality. ists’ position. The event was sponsored by the campus Objectivist club at the university.

which ARI sends classroom sets of The Fountainhead Save Taxes Two Ways with a and Anthem, at no charge, to high school teachers who commit to teaching the novels to their students (see 152,000 Ayn Rand Books Installed Contribution of Stock related story on p. 1). Mr. Reich is sponsoring this effort in Brown County, Wisconsin, where he grew up continued from page 1 in Classrooms, hat is the best type of asset to contribute to the (in Green Bay) and at age 14 discovered Ayn Rand’s WAyn Rand Institute? Tax-wise, gifts of securities books in his school library. Over the past three years, STATES and other assets that have increased in value make the UNITED STATES ARI has sent more than 152,000 books to classrooms best gifts—because donors realize a double tax advan- in more than 1,500 schools, where they are expected Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, tage: they can claim a deduction for the fair market Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, to be read by some 760,000 students over a period of value (of assets owned more than one year), and they Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, five years. “I appreciate ARI encouraging donors to Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin, Wyoming save again by avoiding capital gain tax on their “paper make grants to specific programs,” said Mr. Reich. CANADA profit.” Dozens of ARI donors every year make gifts of “Supporting this project in my home town personal- Quebec, Saskatchewan stock and mutual funds, ranging in size from $500 to ized it further for me. Reaching kids during their more than $100,000. prime intellectual development is an efficient way COUNTIES For example, let’s examine the most recent contri- to spread ideas, and it works to solidify Ayn Rand’s California: Imperial County, Los Angeles County, Marin bution from Doug Reich, an Institute Benefactor who books as fixtures in the curriculum. I know personally County, Napa County, Orange County, San Diego County, San owns an investment company in West Palm Beach, what an impact her ideas can have at that age. It can Francisco County, San Luis Obispo County, San Mateo County, Florida. In December literally save lives, and, in turn—our future.” Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Ventura County 2004 he donated 150 Colorado: Adams County, Arapahoe County, Denver County, Earlier in 2004 Mr. Reich made another gift of shares of Corning, stock valued at nearly $8,000. His total tax savings Douglas County, Gilpin County, Park County Connecticut: Inc., valued at $11.81 Middlesex County, Tolland County Florida: Brevard County, (both income and capital gain) from his ARI contribu- per share, for a gift of Broward County, Collier County, Lake County, Lee County, tions for the year came to more than $4,300. Manatee County, Orange County, Osceola County, Pinellas $1,771.50. ARI sold For assistance with your gift of appreciated securi- County, Seminole County, Volusia County Massachusetts: the shares immediately ties, please contact Kathy Cross, Gift & Estate Planning Berkshire County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, and received the cash Manager, at 310-876-1633 or [email protected]. Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Worcester County Nevada: proceeds. Mr. Reich Carson City County, Douglas County, Lyon County, Storey was able to claim a County, Washoe County New Jersey: Bergen County, Passaic charitable deduction County, Warren County New York: Cayuga County, Ontario for the entire amount County, Saratoga County, Seneca County, Wayne County, on his 2004 tax return, Westchester County, Yates County resulting in actual tax savings of $620.03 CITIES Doug Reich ($1,771.50 x 35 “Logical Thinking,” by Dr. , is now Arizona: (1) Scottsdale California: (2) Moreno Valley, available for purchase from the Ayn Rand Bookstore. (3) Palm Springs, (4) Stockton Connecticut: (5) Danbury, percent, his federal tax bracket). The gift was accom- This insightful course was delivered at the Objectivist (6) New Canaan; Illinois: (7) Chicago Kansas: (8) Kansas plished with a simple letter to his broker containing City Massachusetts: (9) Boston, Chelsea, Dorchester, transfer instructions provided by ARI. summer conference in 2004 in Wintergreen, Virginia, Quincy, Revere, Winthrop Michigan: (10) Ann Arbor, He could have donated cash and obtained the same where Dr. Binswanger was one of the keynote speakers. (11) Detroit, (12) Lansing Missouri: (13) Kansas City Metro deduction—but by donating the stock, he was able to The course is a combination of lectures on and exercises Nevada: (14) Las Vegas; (15) North Las Vegas reduce his capital gain tax liability. He purchased the in “the art of non-contradictory identification.” New Mexico: (16) Albuquerque New York: (17) Albany, stock early in 2003 at $4.13 per share; had he sold the Dr. Binswanger does not cover traditional logic but focuses (18) Brewster, (19) Long Island City, (20) Syracuse shares instead of giving them to a tax-exempt organiza- instead on the uniquely Objectivist approach to logic— Oregon: (21) Portland Texas: (22) Austin, (23) Houston tion like ARI, he would have had to pay a 15 percent especially on Ayn Rand’s discoveries concerning the use CANADA tax on the $7.68 per share gain. That’s an additional and misuse of concepts. ($68.95 for Audio cassettes; Ontario: (24) Toronto; British Columbia: (25) Vancouver $172.80 in tax savings. Mr. Reich commented, “Donat- $82.95 for Audio CDs). To order this course, please visit ing appreciated stock instead of cash is a ‘no-brainer.’” www.aynrandbookstore.com or call 1-800-729-6149. Mr. Reich’s gift was in support of the Institute’s rapidly expanding Free Books to Teachers project, in www.aynrandbookstore.com • 1-800-729-6149 2 A Conversation With Jeff Britting

For nearly a decade Jeff the more I write, the more I realize how precise and that her ideals are illusions. Rather, the focus is on the Britting has worked as the powerful a tool language is; a few words can tell so conflict between her ideals and the actual world—the archivist at the Ayn Rand much. Mike is a master of substituting one word for status quo. Chapter six, “The Strike,” presents her Archives, a special collection many, and omitting one word and saying a lot. This reaction against the status quo of the culture. Given of the Institute. Mr. Britting experience has made me a much more confident writer. her commitment to her values—and growing out of her was associate producer Impact: How did you find the process of turning refusal to accept things as they are—she presents a total of the documentary film the outlined thoughts into paragraphs and chapters? alternative: a “philosophy for living on earth” (which Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life, JB: A very fluid one. To borrow a musical meta- is the title of chapter seven). The last chapter, “In His which was nominated for phor, the process of writing for me is like dropping a Own Image,” is a reference to The Fountainhead. It is a an Academy Award™. The needle on a constantly revolving phonograph record. paraphrase of “. . . in His own image and likeness . . .” book Essays on Ayn Rand’s Once I pick a topic, it’s a matter of letting my accumu- The phrase describes the public’s reaction to the Enright “We the Living” includes an lated experience flow. Then, when I have something on House, a building expressing Roark’s creative will. And essay by Mr. Britting dealing with theatrical and film the page, I go back and revise it. Only then I ask: Am I I think it is equally apt in regard to Ayn Rand’s efforts adaptations of that novel. In February Mr. Britting was on track? Am I clear? Does the reader know what I am to reshape the world in the image of her values, specifi- a speaker at the special events held to commemorate talking about? cally her return late in life to screenwriting and fiction. Ayn Rand’s centenary; he will be speaking at the The hardest part of writing this book was the pre- Impact: The book features more than 125 photos centenary weekend on April 23–24 in New York City. writing—the actual research stage—and the editing. and illustrations. Did you have any particular favorites? Impact recently spoke to him about his first book, In pre-writing, you have to acquire facts and make JB: Yes, one in particular. It’s a shot of the Ayn Rand (Overlook Duckworth), and his experiences connections, a step at a time. I suppose this little book Rosenbaums’ apartment, looking up from Znamenskaya writing and promoting it. took ten years to write. I remember, at a much earlier Square. Even before I wrote this book, I always thought * * * stage, in my twenties, attempting several long writing that, because she lived in a well-photographed city, I Impact: Your book is part of the publisher’s series projects. I did not have enough life experience and would find a picture depicting some intimate detail of of illustrated biographies that are meant to be pretty knowledge to attempt them. That stopped me cold. It her life there. brief. Given the limitations on length, how did you was very frustrating. But here’s how to overcome the So, on my first research day, which occurred at the approach the task of telling the story of Ayn Rand’s frustration: grab a subject that interests you passion- main branch of the Los Angeles Public Library—one extraordinary life? ately, stay with it and find out everything you can about of my favorite places in L.A.—I gathered a stack of Jeff Britting: Telling her story required extreme it. Chances are, if you want to write, you’ll get started. books on Russian history. In the first book I opened, on condensation—and a very clear outline of what I You’ll get the first draft down. the very first page I opened to, was this image: a crowd wanted to cover. And I’m happy to say that, after The editing stage, however, can be very hard gathering in 1917 on Znamenskaya Square, months multiple rounds of editing, my original outline remains going. Sometimes your writing may still be very before the October Revolution. And there on the left- intact. implicit; in other words, it may be clear to you, because hand side of the image is her father’s building. Clearly When I took on the project, I knew how many you know the material, but unclear to others, who visible is the window of the family’s apartment, the words were available to me. Her life divided quite haven’t a clue what you are talking about. You need to very window the 12-year-old Ayn Rand peered though, naturally into eight sections. Then I decided—at the do more thinking and craft better sentences. while witnessing a world-changing event, which was same time—how many points were needed in each Impact: Could you say a word on the organization the Communist revolution—an incident recounted in section. This was key. The space limitation kept me on of the book? my book. As a researcher, this experience was like dis- track. Actually sketching out the book’s outline was JB: Yes. My opening chapter is titled: “Looking covering her face in a mob of film extras in DeMille’s quite easy. I was so familiar with the material I wanted Out.” Everything in the book flows from that idea. The King of Kings [Photos of Ayn Rand as a film extra to cover that the outline took only three hours to write. This is what Ayn Rand did, which is a very important are included in Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life.] Only, now it Incidentally, I wrote it at a West Hollywood Starbucks, point, developmentally. This is where we all start: was her apartment, where she was living. Finding such not far from the apartment where Ayn Rand began writ- we look at reality. We use our senses. Then we build an image on the first day of research was an awfully ing the final draft of her first novel, We the Living. from there. Ayn Rand was reality-oriented. By all the good beginning. Impact: Can you indicate the scale of condensa- evidence available to me, she not only started reality- Impact: Tell me about crafting the captions for the tion that was necessary? orientated, she remained so, as a matter of principle, images, which seem to tell a story in their own right. JB: Well, the books in the Overlook Illustrated Lives series typically do not have footnotes. So, very early on I began to treat the images as footnotes. They’re more than that, actually. The images contain stories of their own. I made a strict rule that wherever possible, the images would follow each other chrono- logically. That way they add to the narrative. Impact: Many of the photos haven’t been pub- lished before; could you describe one or two of these? JB: There is an early photo of Ayn Rand with her sister Natasha. It’s a studio portrait. They are both holding some leaves. There are leaves on the floor in the foreground. Their hair cascades over their shoulders resembling the leaves. It’s a beautiful shot. Another favorite is the last published photo of Ayn Rand. I’ll keep its details secret because it also ends the book. Impact: The photo of Znamenskaya Square, which you mentioned a few moments ago, came from a library book; where did the other images and illustra- tions come from? JB: Actually, the bulk of the images and illustra- tions came from the Archives itself—either the Ayn Rand Papers or the Special Collections. The latter, as you know, contains contributions from archives and Photo from Ayn Rand by Jeff Britting collectors around the world, including many contribu- until the end of her life. That—combined with her tions from ARI donors, which we truly appreciate. JB: Here’s my favorite example: I interrupted philosophic and literary genius—makes her a unique Impact: What was the most interesting thing you writing my first draft of the book to complete a paper historic figure. As an archivist, I encounter that unique- discovered in researching and writing this book? about film and theatre adaptations of We the Living. Out ness on a daily basis. JB: There isn’t any single thing. One general of curiosity, one day I counted the number of words Impact: What about the other chapter titles? observation, however, was re-affirmed over and over: devoted to that subject in my book draft. There were JB: You know, I’m glad to talk about them. Each Ayn Rand was extremely integrated. Her life had a very 44 words. Then I counted the number of paragraphs in one develops this idea of “looking out” at the world and solid arc. Her activities flowed from her values, her my essay. There were 44. They matched! According to then shows what she did with the knowledge she gained ideals. And creating a narrative from the evidence she this formula, my short book could easily have become in each period of her life. left behind helped me to grasp the process by which a five-volume work. Not exactly what the publisher had At an early age Ayn Rand picked out her favorite she developed her thoughts. Also, I believe there is a signed me up for! So I had to be selective and condense things. She established preferences. This, in turn, was great deal to learn about her philosophy by looking at the story. followed by another line of inquiry: she asked her- her intellectual development. She looked at the world, A word on how the book developed: a great deal self why she liked what she did. Her questions led to at reality. Then she acted accordingly. She brought her of the credit for the success of the final form of the the beginnings of philosophy or of what she termed genius to literature and philosophy, and retracing her book I owe to Mike Berliner. We discussed all aspects “important things,” which is the title of the second steps is tremendously informative—she was focused on of the book and its content. The book went through chapter. reality and she acted on principle. many stages: from a not so good, wordy first draft to “Freedom to Write,” the third chapter, reveals her One other observation: Ayn Rand’s published a book we were both very happy with. Given my film first fully adult action, which was to get out of Russia. works are like mountain peaks. But what about the and drama background, my style was too visual and Here she acts on her philosophy very consciously and journey up the mountain? I think that retracing her cre- metaphorical. I often thought in those forms rather than with adult ramifications. Chapter four, “The ,” ative journey is important. To put it in epistemological in straightforward prose. concerns her effort to create a literary portrait of the terms, given that Ayn Rand discovered her philosophy There is that cliché: a picture is worth a thousand ideal man. This occurred in the years before the pub- inductively, I now regard her personal papers as the words. I think it is more accurate to say that a word is lication of The Fountainhead. “The Real,” or chapter archives of her induction. The evidence is there, several worth—or can stand for—a thousand sentences. And five, is a shift away from the defining of ideals. It’s not continued on next page

3 Conversation With Jeff Britting my reasons for thinking that in a separate essay. I’m than with bold offense. The results are clear: such a continued from page 3 also doing an essay on film adaptations of The Foun- policy is suicidal. Rather than bracing against further hundred document cartons’ worth—plus finding- tainhead. Yes, that’s adaptations plural. attacks at home or spreading ‘democracy’ abroad, aids and helpful people, if I can put in a plug for the I’ve begun researching another book called America should destroy her enemies. Ayn Rand Archives. Robert Mayhew, who has made “Ayn Rand’s Critique of the Conservatives.” There is “But this strategic lesson needs a moral founda- frequent and extensive use of the Archives, nicknamed great material on that topic in the Ayn Rand Archives tion. The moral requirement of victory is self-inter- me the “Objectivist sherpa.” I’m pleased to be thought and at other repositories as well. It’s a very relevant ested action, not appeals to the needs of others. Wars of as an expedition guide; in view of what heights there critique. There are some other projects, too, including cannot be fought altruistically. Once the civilian are to climb, it’s a great honor! a new documentary, but—you see—I shouldn’t reveal government has set clear goals, the military must be Impact: Have you heard anything about how the too much. It’s a basic rule of drama, you know: when allowed to win. History illustrates the deep connection book sales are going? you mention everything, you lose the suspense. between intellectual clarity, moral certainty and the JB: I believe it is selling well online. The book * * * offensive strategy needed to defeat a ruthless enemy. is beginning to appear on the shelves of major chain Only Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism provides bookstores. In a year or so, I hope it will be brought out News and Announcements the moral basis for a successful military response to in softcover. the threats we face today.” Impact: What sort of publicity has been arranged Reminder: New Books Out This Month As noted in the for the book? January issue of Impact, two new Ayn Rand vol- Register for E-mail Updates To receive up-to-the-min- JB: I’ve had a half dozen or umes are expected to reach bookstores in April. An ute notification of our events, we invite you to register so interviews on radio and TV. expanded edition of The Early Ayn Rand: A Selection at our Web site (www.aynrand.org) for e-mail updates. There have been quite a few men- from Her Unpublished Fiction (originally published (You may register by using the links on the left-hand tions of the book in newspapers, in 1983) contains a never-before-published short side of our Web site.) Sometimes public events and including the New York Times. story, “The Night King.” The other book, Three Plays, television interviews are arranged just as Impact The Centenary was a great help in brings together all three of Miss Rand’s plays into one goes to print; our e-mail notifications can keep you getting the word out. And, for the volume. Previously, her plays Ideal and Think Twice apprised of such late-breaking developments. most part, the reviews have been were available only in The Early Ayn Rand, and the very positive. I’m just beginning play was available only as a Job Opportunity ARI is currently recruiting a Mailroom to speak before live audiences on stand-alone volume. Assistant. For full details, including information on how the centenary and the book. I’ll be to apply, please visit: www.aynrand.org/employment. in New York City at the centenary Public Lecture on Homeland Defense Available Free celebration on April 23, then in Online Last month, as part of ARI Lecture Series 2005, Impact is published monthly by the Ayn Rand® Institute (ARI) and is Los Angeles on April 24 at the Dr. John Lewis delivered a lecture, “The Failure of complimentary to current donors who contribute $35 or more per year. For information on how you can support ARI and to learn about our Los Angeles Festival of Books; the Homeland Defense: The Lessons From History,” projects, please visit our Web site: www.aynrand.org. Atlantis Legacy®, we have a booth there and I’ll be in Irvine, California, to an audience of approximately the Institute’s planned giving program, and related indicia are registered signing books. I’ve been invited 160 people. Dr. Lewis is a history professor at Ashland trademarks. The Ayn Rand Archives is a special collection of the . Objectivist Conferences (OCON) and the Ayn Rand to appear on July 7 at ALOUD!, University and a beneficiary of an Anthem Foundation Bookstore are owned by Second Renaissance, Inc., which is operated an authors series sponsored by the Fellowship for the Study of Objectivism. An audio by the Ayn Rand Institute. Second Renaissance, Inc., and the Ayn Rand Los Angeles Public Library. I will do a thirty-minute recording of this event is available free to registered Institute do not necessarily endorse the content of the lectures and courses offered. All photos of Ayn Rand are used by permission of the presentation on the book and then have an onstage users of ARI’s Web site (www.aynrand.org); there is no Estate of Ayn Rand. Purchases from the Ayn Rand Bookstore do not “conversation” with a political science professor invited charge to become a registered user. qualify as tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. by the library. That should be interesting! The lecture description reads as follows: “With Editor: Assistant Editor: Dan Norton Impact: Are you working on any other writing the creation of the Department of Homeland Secu- Editorial Advisors: Dr. Yaron Brook, Mark Chapman, Anu Seppala projects related to Ayn Rand? rity, America has accepted a permanent, institu- Designer: Simon Federman Printing: David Antonacci Copy Editor: Donna Montrezza JB: Yes, I’m contributing to Dr. Mayhew’s new tionalized state of siege on its own soil. But is this collection of essays on Anthem. One piece is on adapta- the correct strategy? In this lecture Dr. John Lewis Headquarters: 2121 Alton Parkway, Suite 250 Irvine, CA 92606-4926 Phone: 949-222-6550 Fax: 949-222-6558 tions of Anthem. People will be surprised to learn of the examines several examples from history—including © The Ayn Rand Institute 2005. All rights reserved. Not to be many attempts to adapt it. Also, I think I discovered a Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome—in which great reproduced without permission. nonfiction adaptation of Anthem, and I plan to present nations, facing attack, have acted defensively rather

Conference Preview: Wide Range of Lodging Options

therefore the most convenient for attendees. The highly discounted room rate at this brand new luxury hotel is $129/night, single or double, plus tax. To be eligible TM for this discounted rate you must make your reserva- tions by June 11, 2005; the rate is applicable for stays up to 3 days prior and 3 days following the conference. The amenities at the Omni include onsite dining, wire- less Internet access, a fitness center and more. Please see www.omnihotels.com for further information.

Wyndham San Diego at Emerald Plaza The discounted room rate at the Wyndham is $119/ night, single or double, plus tax. To be eligible for this discounted rate you must make your reservations by June 2, 2005; the rate is applicable for stays up to 3 days prior and 3 days following the conference. The Wyndham has a fitness center, pool, restaurant, lounge and business center on the premises. It is a block away from the Amtrak rail station and trolley station, and a six-minute trolley ride to the Omni (host) hotel. Please see www.wyndham.com for further information.

or this summer’s Objectivist Conference in San 500 West Hotel Rooms with a single bed cost FDiego (July 2–14), attendees will have their $59/night, plus tax; rooms with a double bed cost choice of lodging options. In contrast to previous $69/night, plus tax. A room with two twin beds costs Objectivist conferences, you will make your lodging $69/night, plus tax. The 500 West is a newly reno- reservations and payment directly to the hotel of vated YMCA-type hotel. Rooms are small and spartan your choice. For your convenience, OCON has but very affordable. The showers and restrooms are negotiated discounted pricing at the host hotel and at centrally located on each floor. The sleeping rooms two other downtown hotels. have windows but no air conditioning. There is a In order to receive the special discounted rate at café on the premises and a pool and fitness center on any of these three hotels, described below, you must the bottom floor, which may be used for a nominal call the hotel of your choice and mention the discount fee. Vehicle parking is not offered at this hotel. Please code—OCON—at the time you reserve your room see www.500westhotel.com for further information. (the discounted rate cannot be obtained by making your reservation over the Internet). Most downtown Roommates If you would like assistance with room- hotels have vehicle parking available at $12 per day mate pairings, please contact Objectivist Conferences. and higher. For more information and to register for the conference, The Omni San Diego Hotel The Omni is the host please visit www.objectivistconferences.com. facility, where the lectures and courses will be held, and

4 From the Ayn Rand Archives Throughout 2005 Impact will showcase historic photographs, documents and other items that illuminate Ayn Rand’s life and achievements. These items will also serve to give our readers a glimpse at some of the remarkable items on deposit in the Ayn Rand Archives, a special collection of the Institute. Below are photographs that are featured in the book Ayn Rand by Jeff Britting.

In her uniform as guide at the Peter and Paul Fortress Museum, 1924 Ayn Rand and her husband Frank O’Connor in the 1950s With her sister Natasha, 2 1/2 years younger

The photo used for her application to Petrograd State University, 1921 Ayn Rand (on the left) at the Hollywood Playhouse, where Woman on Trial played in 1934 Photos courtesy of the Ayn Rand Archives Commentary: The Class of 2005 Each month Impact features a column by the minor in Objectivism (if such a minor were offered Dr. Gary Hull on Antitrust in Institute’s executive director, Dr. Yaron Brook, who today). To get a sense of what is being offered, visit looks at the wider context of ARI’s activities. our Web site and have a look at the course descrip- New York and Irvine tions. I think you’ll be impressed. t New York University on April 21 (two days The OAC helps prepare students for careers as nce or twice a week for the last four years, a before the ARI centenary events; see related professional writers and university instructors. What- A Ogroup of young people gathered to take part in item), Dr. Gary Hull will deliver his lecture “Antitrust a unique educational program. Their classes lasted ever their career plans, some members of the Class Is Immoral.” The lecture begins at 7:30 P.M., doors between 90 minutes and three hours—sometimes of 2005 will not be leaving the OAC. They will, I open at 6:45 P.M. Location: Cantor Film Center, expect, stay on and enroll in our systematic gradu- stretching late into the evening. On the evenings Theater 102, 36 E. 8th St., New York City. ate program, which is to be launched this fall, where and weekends, when they were not in class, On May 24 Dr. Hull will deliver that lecture in they will be offered advanced training in philosophy. these students were busy working through course Irvine, California, under the auspices of ARI Lecture Ten of our current students—who are at various readings, writing papers, preparing oral presenta- Series 2005. Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Irvine. tions, attending tutorials. They did all of this, and stages in the program—have applied for admission Doors open at 6:30 P.M.; lecture begins at 7:30 P.M. more, in parallel with their university studies, and to masters or doctorate programs in philosophy at and is followed by a question period. This event is in some cases their daytime jobs. What makes universities across the country (a few students are free and open to the public. their commitment all the more laudable is that the already pursuing or have attained advanced degrees The description of the talk is as follows: “Over classes took place by teleconference—a format in various fields). the last century, the government has used antitrust more demanding, for students and teacher, than This month, while marking the end of the law to prosecute and punish some of the most face-to-face classroom instruction. program’s first cycle, we will begin reviewing productive and innovative companies in history. It The goal of their studies: to attain a solid applications from students who wish to be in the has subjected companies like Standard Oil, General grounding in the basics of Ayn Rand’s philosophy. Class of 2009. Today the OAC numbers 75 students Electric and Microsoft to endless trials, massive Later this month they will be the first to graduate in the undergraduate program alone; by 2009, I fines and destructive breakups—on charges that they from the undergraduate program of the Objectivist would like to see three or four times that number harmed worthy competitors and helpless customers Academic Center. They are the Class of 2005. of enrolled students. To attract more students to the by engaging in so-called anticompetitive behavior. Their imminent graduation marks the comple- OAC, we have just mailed more than 7,200 infor- “In this provocative lecture, Dr. Gary Hull tion of the first cycle of the OAC—a tremendously mational flyers about the program to entrants in argues that the targets of antitrust are not criminals gratifying milestone. Expanding and formalizing our essay contests on The Fountainhead and Atlas but victims. Their much-reviled monopoly power is ARI’s educational courses was one of my priori- Shrugged; we have also sent copies of the flyer to not coercive or destructive; it is the life-giving power ties, when I started as executive director five years campus Objectivist clubs. (As of this year, there to produce products that are incredibly appealing ago. With the help of , senior fellow, are actually two application deadlines: April 18 and to customers and far superior to those of laggard we devised and launched a systematic four-year August 1. The second is needed to accommodate competitors. Antitrust law, argues Dr. Hull, is fun- program that would nurture the brightest and best those students who discover the OAC after the damentally unjust: it throttles, punishes and sacri- students aspiring to become Objectivist intellectuals. school year ends—presumably after having entered fices America’s best producers for the sake of their The program is rigorous, holding students to high our high school or college essay contests.) inferiors. This evil is not merely in any specific case standards of precision in their writing and thinking. Thanks to the OAC, the New Intellectuals that or application of antitrust, but inherent in the law, as The program is flexible, enabling students who are Ayn Rand wrote about are many in the making. That such. Antitrust cannot be ‘fixed’ or redeemed. It must enrolled at colleges to take OAC courses at a man- such an institution exists, that it is bearing fruit—is a be abolished.” ageable pace. Above all, the undergraduate program result of your support of ARI. The lecture is based on an essay that appears in is vitally necessary. Though there are more profes- This summer, after the school year has ended, the forthcoming collection The Abolition of Antitrust, sors nowadays who teach courses on Ayn Rand’s we will salute the Class of 2005. I have great hopes edited by Dr. Hull. In an upcoming issue, Impact will ideas, or courses that incorporate her ideas—the for the current—and future—graduates of the OAC. bring you further news about this book. OAC is the only institution that offers systematic It is they who will carry the torch forward, in the training in Objectivism. name of reason, egoism and capitalism. * * * What we provide is comparable to earning a —Yaron Brook

5 Commemorating Ayn Rand’s Centenary In Moscow Matching Gifts Double Your Support of ARI—at No merica is not the only place where the centenary The American Center in Moscow describes itself Additional Cost Aof Ayn Rand’s birth was noticed. On February as “a public library based on the American model. 2 the American Center in Moscow held an in-house The center provides library and reference services any employers sponsor “matching gift” screening of a television profile of Ayn Rand. That and hosts educational and cultural programs. The Mprograms and will match dollar-for-dollar the program was produced by C-SPAN as part of its Moscow Center is the largest in a network of 20 charitable contributions made by their employees. At American Writers Series and originally aired in 2002. American Centers . . . across Russia.” no additional cost to you, and with minimal effort, The two-hour program includes interviews with Dr. such a program could effectively double your support Leonard Peikoff, Dr. Eric Daniels and ARI archivist of ARI. In fact, some companies will even match Jeff Britting. . . . in New York City contributions made by retirees and/or their spouses. About the screening, an official at the U.S. Thanks to ARI donors who participate in such Centenary events will take place in New York Embassy in Moscow told Impact, “The program pro- programs, last year the Institute received match- City on April 23 and 24. Speakers include Dr. vided the Russian audience with a deeper understanding ing contributions from major corporations such as Harry Binswanger, Mary Ann Sures and Dr. of Rand’s Objectivist philosophy and raised awareness Microsoft and Verizon, amounting to tens of thou- Yaron Brook. For information, please visit www. that Rand was in fact a Russian-born American citizen sands of dollars. objectivistconferences.com or call 1-800-365-6552, who made an enduring mark on intellectual life and To find out if your company has such a pro- ext. 239. political philosophy in the United States.” gram, contact the personnel department at your place of work. Or, you can tell us the name of your employer, and we can attempt to find out on your behalf; please send us your details by e-mail to [email protected]. Simple Ways to Benefit ARI After Your Lifetime

Leaving a legacy to ARI may be easier than you imagine. Naming the Institute on the ben- eficiary form of your retirement plan (IRA, 401(k), etc.), insurance policy and other financial accounts is quick and easy—many forms may even be downloaded online. Taking such action ensures that ARI is included in your estate plan, even if you have not designated a bequest in your will. And the form gives you the flex- ibility to name the Institute as a primary or secondary/ contingent beneficiary—or both—just as you would indicate in your will. In addition, this type of gift often avoids probate and taxes. We invite you to join the hundreds of donors who have already arranged such legacies. They enjoy not only the satisfaction of having provided for the advancement of Objectivism in the future, but also the current benefits of participation in ARI’s Atlantis Legacy—such as the special events held exclusively Home page of www.aynrand100.org for planned giving donors during the Ayn Rand Cente- nary celebrations this year. On the site you will also find an audio recording of For more information, contact Kathy Cross, . . . and on the Internet Peter Schwartz’s lecture “The Virtue of Selfishness: Gift & Estate Planning Manager, at 310-876-1633 or Why Achieving Your Happiness Is Your Highest [email protected], and visit www.atlantislegacy.org. A new ARI Web site—www.aynrand100.org—will Moral Purpose.” This lecture was delivered to an serve as a universally accessible record of the overflow crowd as part of the centenary celebrations yearlong celebrations of Ayn Rand’s centenary. held in Orange County, California, in February. It The site currently features a brief biography was broadcast on C-SPAN 2 on February 12, again of Ayn Rand, a look back at some of the centenary on March 6 and a third time on March 20. events, and information on the recently published book, Ayn Rand, by Jeff Britting. There are also audio programs available, at no cost, to all visitors. One of these programs is a brief recording of Ayn Rand sum- New Ayn Rand Translations: marizing her philosophy of Objectivism. Another is Several foreign editions of Ayn Rand’s works have recently been published. The bolded titles below indicate (from left to right) the editions in the photo Leonard Peikoff’s 1987 talk at the Ford Hall Forum, to the right. Spanish: The Fountainhead; Japanese: The Fountainhead “My Thirty Years with Ayn Rand: An Intellectual and Atlas Shrugged; Turkish: Anthem, We the Living, The Fountainhead, Memoir.” Periodically, over the course of the year, Atlas Shrugged, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal; Swedish: Atlas more content—such as images of Ayn Rand’s manu- Shrugged; Chinese: The Ayn Rand Column. And we have received word that a Polish edition of Atlas Shrugged has just been published. scripts—will be added to the site. Please note that foreign translations are produced independently of * * * ARI, and that we cannot vouch for the accuracy of any translation.

Book Displays in 670 Barnes & Noble Bookstores

n the first half of February, the new mass-market Icentennial floor displays of Ayn Rand’s novels appeared in 670 of the largest Barnes & Noble bookstores across the United States. This is the most extensive special display of Ayn Rand’s novels in bookstores since the books were published. There are likely to be other displays of centennial editions this year in other chains, or again in Barnes & Noble. ARI continues to support marketing efforts by Ayn Rand’s publisher, Penguin, as part of our efforts to promote the reading of her books. If you spot one of the floor displays in your city, we would like to know about it. Please e- mail Richard Ralston, ARI’s publishing manager ([email protected]), with information about the store name, location and date that you saw it.

The photo on the right shows five generations of Ayn Rand floor displays. Since 2002 these displays have appeared in various bookstore chains, including Waldenbooks, Borders and Barnes & Noble. 6