Volume 15, Number 8, August 2009 Highlights of Objectivist Summer Conference 2009

y all accounts, Objectivist Summer Confe- “Free Minds and Free Markets” investigated The panelists were John Allison, newly B rence 2009, held July 3–11, was a rousing the philosophic underpinnings of freedom and appointed Distinguished Professor of Practice at success. Continuing a trend of high attendance showed that a defense of requires a Wake Forest University Schools of Business and in recent years, 460 attendees made their way to defense of man’s mind. chairman and former CEO of BB&T Corporation; the summer conference in Boston to hear lectures Mr. Allison and Mr. Fortun discussed the Debi Ghate, senior director of the Anthem Founda- from Objectivist intellectuals and socialize with methods and challenges of implementing at tion for Objectivist Scholarship and vice president others who share a passion for ’s ideas their businesses a corporate based of Academic programs at ARI; John Lewis, newly and their applications. in . The talks were inspiring exam- appointed Visiting Associate Professor of Politi- Here are some highlights from the event: ples of applied Objectivism in action. This was cal Science at Duke University; Robert Mayhew, Mr. Fortun’s first general session lecture. Professor of Philosophy at Seton Hall; and Greg General Sessions and Optional Courses featured Salmieri, newly appointed Visiting Assistant new and returning speakers. This year’s general Professor of Philosophy at the University of North sessions included lectures by John Allison, Carolina, Chapel Hill. (two lectures), Wayne Fortun, Ms. Ghate, who organized the panel, led off by , , Greg Salmieri, describing the progress of the Anthem Foundation and (two lectures). and the heightened interest in Objectivism in aca- A number of the sessions focused on Atlas demia. Anthem moved its operations to Irvine last Shrugged: Dr. Salmieri’s “ on year and has since taken over ARI’s professor out- the Role of the Mind in Man’s Existence” and reach program. It has worked closely with BB&T in Dr. Smith’s two lectures, “No Tributes to Caesar: continued on page 3 Good or Evil in Atlas Shrugged” and “‘Human- The optional courses this year featured a mix ity’s Darkest Evil’: The Lethal Destructiveness of of returning and first-time speakers. The new Non-Objective Law.” Dr. Gotthelf’s “Hallmark’s speakers were Kris Biniek and Robert Knapp. Atlas Shrugged Annual Sales of Objectivism: The Benevolent Universe Premise The returning: Craig Biddle, Thomas A. Bowden, Record Broken in June and the Heroic View of Man” also drew on the novel, Yaron Brook, Eric Daniels, , Ellen as well as on and Ayn Rand’s Kenner, Andrew Lewis, John Lewis, Edwin A. o thundering applause, Dr. Brook announced nonfiction. Locke, Lee Pierson, Sandra Schwartz, Lisa Van- Tat the Objectivist summer conference that In a two-part lecture titled “The Objective vs. Damme and Barry Wood. sales of Atlas Shrugged have officially surpassed the Intrinsic and the Subjective,” Dr. Binswanger 205,000, the annual sales record that was set last discussed Ayn Rand’s discovery of a new con- Academic Panel. A regular component of the year. What is most remarkable is that there remain cept of objectivity and the false alternatives that summer conference, the Academic Panel features six months still to go before the close of the year. it obliterates. In “The Separation of Church and Objectivists who are giving Ayn Rand’s ideas a “There is a legitimate shot at reaching half State,” Dr. Ghate discussed the proper case for a forum in colleges and universities. Always excit- a million books sold in 2009,” said Dr. Brook, separation of religion and government and exam- ing, the panel this year made a clear statement that “especially if we can quickly kick the new ined the flaws in the arguments that are most Objectivism has not only achieved a foothold in Atlas Shrugged Initiative program into gear.” often heard today for or against it. Mr. Schwartz’s academia, but is advancing. [See “September Benefit Dinner,” on page 4.] Yaron Brook Gives Keynote Speech at July 4th Boston Tea Party n July 4th Yaron Brook delivered the key- “The Tea Party phenomena continue to be a O note address to an estimated Tea Party crowd positive sign of growing unrest with the policies of three hundred in Boston’s Christopher Colum- of the U.S. government today,” said Dr. Brook to bus Park. It was America’s birthday, but it was not Impact after the speech. “I was happy to have had a celebration. Amid the fountains and green lawns, the chance to influence those in the crowd who are with the majestic city harbor behind him, Dr. Brook searching for answers. Unfortunately, rather than delivered a solemn message. spending this day in celebration of America and of “Happy Fourth,” he greeted the crowd. “It’s our liberty, we had to spend it as did our Founding a bit of a sad Fourth, though. It’s sad because Fathers 233 years ago—fighting for our freedom.” Yaron Brook speaks to Tea Party demonstrators at Christopher Columbus Park there’s a Tea Party going on. We had a Tea Party Dr. Brook’s appearance at the Tea Party was the once. . . . It should have been the last time this own self-interest and happiness as one’s proper last of three Tea Party speeches by Objectivists in country had ever seen a Tea Party. Because of the moral purpose. Boston that day. ARI board member consequences of that Tea Party, this country, the We need to “dump . . . in the river with the spoke on Boston Common, and John Lewis, Visit- greatest country in the history of man, was created. tea” the idea that you have a moral obligation to ing Associate Professor of Political Science at Duke That should have been it. We shouldn’t need this. your neighbor, he said to loud applause. And we University, immediately preceded Dr. Brook in This is tragic. This is sad. And we should be angry need to replace it with the notion that your moral Christopher Columbus Park. On the opposite coast, about the fact that we need a Tea Party today.” responsibility is “to rationally pursue your life ARI analyst Alex Epstein spoke to three hundred Dr. Brook went on to explain the reason for to the best of your ability. To make the most out ralliers at a July 4th Tea Party in San Diego. America’s fading freedom—its acceptance of of the life you have on this earth. To be, to use a All of the Tea Party speeches are available for as cliché, the best that you can be.” viewing on ARCTV and the ARI YouTube chan- a moral The enthusiastic crowd cheered and whistled nel. Readers are ideal—and throughout the speech. They waved signs, some encouraged to to identify of which referenced Ayn Rand or Atlas Shrugged. share the links the way Many visited a nearby ARC (Ayn Rand Center for with others. out—the Individual Rights) display booth and took pam- embrace of phlets and signed up for mailing lists. Their vigor the pursuit was encouraging. Their numbers, in light of the Demonstrators in Christopher Columbus Park of one’s gravity of the message, were perhaps too few. ARC booth in Christopher Columbus Park OAC Graduates Largest Class Ever

he Objectivist Academic Center held a private Tceremony during the Objectivist summer conference honoring the fourteen graduates of 2009. This is the largest graduating class in the eight-year history of the OAC. ARI president Yaron Brook and OAC dean and ARI senior fel- low Onkar Ghate spoke at the ceremony, with vice The Purpose of Art president of Academic programs Debi Ghate serv- of abstractions, and needs the power to bring his ing as master of ceremonies. Each month Impact suggests readings and other widest metaphysical abstractions into his immedi- resources for fans of Ayn Rand’s fiction who wish ate, perceptual awareness. Art fulfills this need: to learn more about her philosophy, Objectivism. by means of a selective re-creation, it concret- izes man’s fundamental view of himself and of existence. It tells man, in effect, which aspects of his experience are to be regarded as essential, rt has been an element of man’s life from significant, important.” (“Art and Cognition,” The A the most primitive cultures to today’s most Romantic Manifesto) advanced civilizations. What is art? And why is She observes elswhere that “[it] is not jour- it so central to man’s life? Ayn Rand’s answers to nalistic information or scientific education or OAC graduation ceremony these questions are unique and illuminating. moral guidance that man seeks from a work of art The key is the philosophical nature of art. As (though these may be involved as secondary con- Both Dr. Brook and Dr. Ghate expressed opti- Ayn Rand explains: “Metaphysics—the science sequences), but the fulfillment of a more profound mism for the future. Dr. Ghate urged the audience that deals with the fundamental nature of reality— need: a confirmation of his view of existence—a to imagine what it would be like to live in a culture involves man’s widest abstractions. It includes confirmation, not in the sense of resolving cogni- that was improving, rather than deteriorating. To every concrete he has ever perceived, it involves tive doubts, but in the sense of permitting him to make that vision a reality, he stressed, we don’t such a vast sum of knowledge and such a long contemplate his abstractions outside his own mind, need massive numbers, but, as Samuel Adams chain of concepts that no man could hold it all in in the form of existential concretes.” (“Art and said, a “tireless minority.” That is what the OAC is the focus of his immediate conscious awareness. Sense of Life,” ) intended to help bring about. Yet he needs that sum and that awareness to guide Ayn Rand summarizes her view: “Art is a Dr. Brook congratulated the graduating class him—he needs the power to summon them into concretization of metaphysics. Art brings man’s and thanked the OAC faculty and staff, noting that full, conscious focus. concepts to the perceptual level of his conscious- the Center is crucial to the advancement of Objec- “That power is given to him by art.” ness and allows him to grasp them directly, as if tivism and that its graduates are already having an It is a power that all men need: “Consciously they were percepts. impact in the culture. With next year’s graduating or subconsciously, explicitly or implicitly, man “This is the psycho-epistemological function class projected to be even larger, the long-term knows that he needs a comprehensive view of of art and the reason of its importance in man’s prospects are bright. existence to integrate his values, to choose his life (and the crux of the Objectivist esthetics).” At the close of the ceremony, the graduating goals, to plan his future, to maintain the unity and (“The Psycho-Epistemology of Art,” The Roman- class presented Dr. Ghate with a special gift—an coherence of his life—and that his metaphysical tic Manifesto) engraved plaque thanking him “for challenging” value-judgments are involved in every moment of For more on this topic, listen to Ayn Rand’s and “for inspiring” the class of 2009. “It is impos- his life, in his every choice, decision and action.” lectures “Our Esthetic Vacuum” or “Art in Educa- sible to overstate how valuable the OAC has been (“The Psycho-Epistemology of Art,” The Roman- tion” for free at the Ayn Rand Multimedia Library, to our intellectual development and our lives,” tic Manifesto) and see The Romantic Manifesto. All of these said graduate , who presented the Ayn Rand writes, “Man’s profound need of art items can be purchased from the Ayn Rand Book- gift. “All of the graduates are profoundly grate- lies in the fact that his cognitive faculty is con- store. To order, please visit www.aynrandbook- ful to Dr. Ghate for creating and overseeing this ceptual, i.e., that he acquires knowledge by means store.com or call 1-800-729-6149. program, and we are pleased we had a chance to thank him publicly.” Objectivist Academic Center Teaching Workshop For a number of years the Objectivist Academic them to the highest standard of excellence in Center has hosted a teaching workshop in Dale Stevens teaching. conjunction with ARI’s summer conferences. The instructional presentations given by the During the conference, student-presenters rreceived a bachelor of arts faculty are also highly valuable, and far exceed have the opportunity to teach a prepared I degree in psychology and the quality of instruction typically available thirty-minute “mock class” in their respective a master of science degree in within departments at universities and colleges, fields of expertise, aimed at a freshman-level neuroscience from Carleton when such instruction is available at all. It is also University in Ottawa, Canada; audience, to a panel of OAC faculty. extremely valuable and informative to observe then my Ph.D. in neuropsychol- Following each practice class, the faculty ogy, with a specialization in the presentations of fellow student-presenters and and student participants give critical feedback neuroscience, from the University hear the feedback they receive—it allows one to to the presenter on all aspects of his or her of Toronto, Canada. I have been learn through observation, and from an entirely presentation. Faculty members also deliver a postdoctoral research fellow different perspective. instructional presentations on topics such as since September 2005, and have recently (July 1, 2009) I have found that with each successive year, presentation skills and motivation. been promoted to the position of research associate in my teaching skills and confidence in my ability In this column, guest writer and conference the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. have improved dramatically—observations that participant Dale Stevens, a research associate have been corroborated by the faculty as well. in the Department of Psychology at Harvard have found each and every year that T-CON Similarly, I have witnessed dramatic improve- University and third-year OAC student, reports is consistently one of the best learning/train- ment in the skills and confidence of my fellow on his experience at the workshop. ing experiences that I have had throughout my repeat-participants as well—a testament to the training and career in academia; and it is by far real, practical, applicable value participants y first opportunity to teach an under- the best training I have ever had specifically in receive from attending T-CON. Further, I have Mgraduate course came in my fourth year teaching and presentation skills. found that as I gain competence each year in as a doctoral student. After a very brief series T-CON gives OAC students who are, or particular aspects of my teaching, I am able to of general seminars on presentation skills, I soon will be, teaching college students the focus on other aspects and improve my skills in was left to my own devices to teach the course training that they desperately need. The OAC other domains and in new ways; for this reason, in any manner I chose, with absolutely no faculty who participate in T-CON are some of repeat participation at T-CON in successive oversight, supervision, guidance, evaluation or the best teachers in their respective fields—to years does not yield diminishing returns, but, feedback. I have discovered through conversa- have access to their individual attention, guid- rather, allows one to build on previous experi- tions with many of my colleagues and peers ance and feedback is a tremendous value to the ence and improve in new ways each year. that my experience was not unique—train- student-participants. The T-CON faculty give For all of these reasons, T-CON offers a ing for teachers/instructors at the majority of very frank, honest and comprehensive evalu- training experience that is an enormous value post-secondary institutions ranges from poor to ations and feedback, individually tailored to for anyone who is, or who will be, teaching at virtually nonexistent. the context, weaknesses and strengths of each the college level, and that far exceeds anything This was the third year that I participated student-participant. They evaluate student- that is currently available at most (or any) in the OAC teaching conference (T-CON). I presenters by an objective standard, holding continued on page 4 2 Highlights of Objectivist Summer Conference 2009, continued from page 1 Atlantis Legacy Events at Boston Conference uring the Objectivist summer conference Exclusive Luncheon in Boston last month, ARI hosted two supporting Objectivist scholarship in academia. D Peter Schwartz was the events related to the Institute’s Atlantis Legacy The new, multiyear positions of Dr. Lewis and special guest at a luncheon planned giving program. These were an intro- Dr. Salmieri were among the major accomplish- for Atlantis Legacy donors ductory session open to anyone interested ments of the partnership this year. held on the last day of the conference. Following in learning about planned giving and an ARI also continues to advance Objectivism brief remarks by Yaron Brook and Kathy Cross, invitation-only luncheon, with special guest in academia. The Institute recently participated Mr. Schwartz shared a few personal memories Peter Schwartz, exclusively for Atlantis in the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capital- of Ayn Rand, with whom he had several Legacy donors. ism’s student conference and, for the fourth year, noteworthy interactions early in his career. Atlantis Legacy donors are those who cohosted with the Clemson Institute a conference have arranged bequests and other estate for BB&T professors on Atlas Shrugged and the gifts to ARI by naming the Institute as a moral foundations of capitalism. primary or contingent beneficiary through a Drs. Lewis, Mayhew and Salmieri shared will, insurance policy, retirement plan and/ anecdotes illustrating the progress Objectivism or a specialized charitable gift plan. Such has made in academia and discussed their recent contributions help to ensure the continued accomplishments and future plans. All are work- existence of the Institute, and are essential to ing on or have recently published books (see also the future success of Objectivism. the section “New books” below). Dr. Mayhew’s Participation in the Atlantis Legacy is Essays on Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” was the not limited by the value of the legacy gift fourth and final volume in a series of anthologies or by contingencies placed on such gift edited by Dr. Mayhew that examine Ayn Rand’s designations. Donors who qualify but who major works of fiction. Dr. Salmieri is coeditor have not informed ARI are encouraged to do (with Allan Gotthelf) of the forthcoming Ayn Rand: so and to be recognized as Atlantis Legacy A Companion to Her Life and Thought, and is a participants. contributor to a book on Objectivist epistemology currently in review. Dr. Lewis’s Nothing Less Than Introductory Session Victory (March 2010) examines the requirements Early in the conference, for victory in war by looking at six major wars, ARI’s Gift & Estate Planning from ancient Greece to World War II. Manager Kathy Cross gave a Mr. Allison announced that there are now lunchtime presentation titled fifty-nine BB&T programs for the study of the “Introduction to Planned moral foundations of capitalism—twenty more Giving and ARI’s Atlantis Legacy.” Topics than a year ago. Mr. Allison said he is hoping to included: reducing taxes through charitable expand the program through new partnerships, giving; structuring gifts that return income if possible. to the donor; providing future support for the Institute while achieving one’s estate planning New books. Objectivist scholarship is booming, as Peter Schwartz discussing his approach to writing a book about the doctrine objectives; and creative ways to support ARI of altruism for a general audience. Photos courtesy of Godfrey Joseph evidenced by the number of forthcoming or newly and minimize taxes during tough economic published books discussed at the conference. times. In addition to those already mentioned above, He then treated the one hundred attendees Strategies, assets and techniques were these include Objectivism in One Lesson by to a preview of “The Tyranny of Need,” the illustrated with real-life examples of planned ; The Inductive Method in book he is writing about altruism, providing gifts made by Atlantis Legacy donors, with Physics by David Harriman (forthcoming from an insider’s view of the structure and content the donors themselves in attendance at the Penguin Publishing); Winning the Unwinnable of the first chapter. He discussed, and took session. On hand this year to help concretize War, edited by ARI fellow Elan Journo (forth- questions on, the challenges of presenting various gift options were John and Katie coming from Lexington Books); Objectively altruism’s essence to a general audience, Stevenson of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Joe and Speaking: Ayn Rand Interviewed, edited by including: finding appropriate examples of real- Lois Parks of Sparks, Nevada; and Richard Peter Schwartz and Marlene Podritske, a collection life altruism; demonstrating—on a common- and Vivi Wray of Palo Alto, California, all of Ayn Rand interviews released earlier this year; sense level—the evil and the senselessness longtime Objectivists and ARI donors. They and a book on neoconservatism by C. Bradley of self-sacrifice; and explaining the altruist’s generously agreed to share the details of Thompson and Yaron Brook (in progress). interpretation of “need.” their gift arrangements and their reasons for The conference included book signings for Mr. Schwartz, former board chairman of supporting ARI both now and in the future. Essays on Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged,” Objectiv- ARI, is a writer and a long-time Objectivist. A buffet lunch was served, compliments ism in One Lesson and Objectively Speaking. He is the founding editor and publisher (1979– of the Institute, to the forty-eight attendees. 1991) of The Intellectual Activist. He is also the Special dinners with ARI and ARC intellectuals and author of The Foreign Policy of Self-Interest: staff. One of the special events at the conference A Moral Ideal for America; editor/contributing was a “Meet the ARI Intellectuals” dinner, which author of Ayn Rand’s Return of the Primitive: provided attendees the opportunity to meet and The Anti-Industrial Revolution; and coeditor ask questions of ARI/ARC staff intellectuals in with Marlene Podritske of the recently released a relaxed and intimate setting. As the attendees Objectively Speaking: Ayn Rand Interviewed— dined, the ARI/ARC intellectuals who were in all available from the Ayn Rand Bookstore. attendance at the conference gave brief presenta- Mr. Schwartz’s affiliation with ARI dates tions about their work at ARI and recent under- from the Institute’s inception in 1985, when he takings for ARC. The floor was then opened for served as chairman of the board of advisors. questions. Topics discussed included ARI’s writing He became a member of the board of directors projects, forthcoming publications, future plans in 1986, and was chairman from 1994 until and various political and cultural events. ARI Benefactor John Stevenson sharing how Ayn Rand’s ideas have 2005. He directed ARI’s op-ed program from The conference also featured a dinner at which influenced his life and why making annual and legacy gifts to ARI is so 1997 to 2003 and taught writing classes at the recent activities of the Ayn Rand Center for Indi- important to him and his wife Katie. Photo courtesy of Bennett Karp Objectivist Graduate Center (predecessor to the vidual Rights (ARC) in Washington, D.C., were Objectivist Academic Center) for several years discussed. ARI vice president of Public Outreach from the time of its launch in 1994. Lin Zinser spoke at the dinner. ARI hosts special events annually for She discussed how ARC cultivates and sup- Atlantis Legacy donors. We anticipate that the ports a range of intellectual activism by Objectivists, next event will take place in Las Vegas during develops relationships with non-Objectivist intel- the 2010 Objectivist summer conference (visit lectuals at other think tanks and organizations, and www.objectivistconferences.com for more engages the public through talks, panel discussions, information about the conference). debates and media interviews featuring ARI/ARC To learn more about supporting the Institute intellectuals and other Objectivists. through planned giving, browse our Atlantis Legacy Web pages at www.atlantislegacy.org Future conferences. Next year’s conference will and contact Gift & Estate Planning Manager ARI Benefactor Joe Parks discussing the various assets and techniques take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 2–10. The he and his wife Lois have used to support the Institute in the past and Kathy Cross at 732-242-9408 or kcross@ 2011 conference is slated for Fort Lauderdale, plan to implement in the future. Photo courtesy of Bennett Karp aynrand.org. Florida, July 1–9. 3 September Benefit Dinner Objectivist Academic Center Teaching ARI Interns Reflect on Their Workshop, continued from page 2 hile Washington rapidly expands its control Summer Experience Wover our lives, a hopeful countertrend post-secondary institutions. T-CON provides is underway: Ayn Rand’s classic novel Atlas training that is essential to becoming a skilled, ach summer ARI selects two undergraduate Shrugged is selling at a jaw-dropping pace. At a effective teacher—a value that is difficult to E students for an internship program in the September 15 benefit dinner in New York City, find anywhere else. I am extremely grateful Academic division at the Irvine office. The paid Yaron Brook and John Allison will discuss why for having had the opportunity to participate in internship is divided equally between office work Americans are turning to Rand’s magnum opus, T-CON again this year; to ARI for hosting and and a course of study tailored to the interests of why the novel’s revolutionary ideas are crucial funding the event each year; and to the patient, each intern. The program includes a scholarship to to the future of freedom in America, and what dedicated and highly skilled OAC faculty from the Objectivist summer conference and automatic the is doing to bring about an whom we, as student-participants, receive an acceptance to the annual student conference on Atlas Shrugged Revolution. enormous value. Thank you. Atlas Shrugged and its ideas organized by the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism. This year’s interns were Dakin Sloss, a second-year student at Stanford University, and Isabela Morales, a second-year student at Ayn Rand Campus the University of Alabama. As the culmination The Atlas Shrugged of the academic component of their program, Revolution t a presentation on the state of the Ayn Rand September 15, 2009 both Mr. Sloss and Ms. Morales presented talks Institute at the Objectivist summer confer- New York City A before ARI’s Academic division. ence, Yaron Brook, executive director and presi- “Attending ARI’s summer conference and dent of ARI, officially launched a new initiative: the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capital- “Ayn Rand Campus.” ism summer program were definitely two of the Ayn Rand Campus is a major new educa- highlights of the internship,” said Ms. Morales. tional program that will offer free courses to “I can’t express strongly enough just how won- The funds raised at the Atlas Shrugged Revo- those interested in Ayn Rand’s ideas and their derful it has been to meet and interact with other lution dinner will benefit the Ayn Rand Center applications. “A long-term, sustained cultural rev- students my age who care about ideas and the Initiative and the Atlas Shrugged Initiative. olution,” said Dr. Brook, “can only be achieved state of the culture. Also, being able to discuss The Atlas Shrugged Initiative is a new through education.” To that end, Ayn Rand Cam- my views and questions with members of the $2 million educational and promotional cam- pus will allow anyone to take classes on Objec- ARI staff, particularly my advisor [ARI fellow] paign that capitalizes on the surging interest in tivism and its applications to various fields. Elan Journo, was fantastic. Ayn Rand and her best-known novel. The cam- The courses will be offered primarily online “Having completed the program, I believe paign is off to a good beginning; one donor has and in a variety of formats, and will cater to those I’ll be able to go back to the University of already proffered a matching $500,000 pledge. who want to learn more about Objectivism and Alabama and contribute more fully to our newly Much more is still needed, however, for the its relevance to today’s issues. Ayn Rand Campus founded Objectivist club, with a deeper under- program to accomplish its goals. will accommodate various levels of student com- standing of Ayn Rand’s writings and philosophy. These goals include: significant bookstore mitment and will deliver Ayn Rand’s ideas in a I found especially valuable the opportunity to promotions of the novel; an expansion of ARI’s form readily integrated into daily life. improve my ability to communicate an idea web-based efforts to spur readership of Atlas “Some who participate in the program may clearly and logically, with an eye on how best Shrugged; expansion of ARI’s long-running only watch one course,” said Dr. Brook. “Oth- to reach a given audience. I hope to teach at educational programs for high school and college ers will go on to become the New Intellectu- the university level, and the internship program students; and targeted outreach to pro-liberty, als of the future. All will come away with a has helped me immensely to develop that skill, pro-capitalist activists around the nation. greater understanding of Ayn Rand’s ideas and which is so essential to such a career.” The ARC Initiative is an expansion of ARC’s their application.” For his project, Mr. Sloss studied the history activities. It is aimed at furthering relations with of philosophy and physics under the supervi- popular and traditional media, educating the sion of ARI fellow Keith Lockitch, focusing on public through talks and other events, building fundamental metaphysical and epistemological coalitions with free-market policy organizations, issues in the fields. “The internship was tre- and supporting activism. Lin Zinser to Publish mendously useful in my development,” he said. The benefit dinner costs $2,500 a plate and Activism Column in Impact “The feedback I received on my independent offers $25,000 and $50,000 sponsorship levels. project and speaking skills was excellent. I also There will be an auction featuring rare Ayn Rand Ms. Zinser is ARI vice president of Public Outreach. gained experience in an office environment, books, some of which have been inscribed by the performed research for various writing projects author. here are a myriad of ways and in general learned more about what a career For more information and to register, visit Tto speak out against wrong as an intellectual activist would consist of. arievents.com or call 949-222-6550, ext. 204. ideas. More important, there “The ARI internship program is an incred- are numerous opportunities to ible opportunity for any student interested in advocate the right ideas. In Sep- Objectivism. The chance to work with and be tember I am launching a column part of the key philosophical movement of our highlighting the work of activists time is inspirational and refuels one’s motiva- around the country who are vig- tion to learn about and battle for reason and orously promoting their values. reality. I was privileged to be part of such a The individuals who are the focus of this col- unique organization.” umn have a history of activism. They have formed For more information on the internship pro- Audit the OAC a loose coalition—calling themselves the “Prime gram, visit www.aynrand.org/internships. Movers of Activism”—and have begun creating a he application deadline for regular playbook of “best practices for Objectivist activ- Tadmission to the Objectivist Academic ism.” This column will share some of those “best Center program for academic year 2009–10 practices” and will perhaps motivate others to Impact is published monthly by the Ayn Rand® Institute (ARI) and is has passed. The option to audit the second become activists as well. complimentary to current donors who contribute $35 or more per year. year’s two-semester Seminar on Ayn Rand’s Going forward, these “Prime Movers” will For information on how you can support ARI and to learn about Philosophy of Objectivism, however, is still our projects, please visit our Web site: www.aynrand.org. Atlantis ramp up their activism by working closely with Legacy®, the Institute’s planned giving program, and related indicia available. The course is taught by OAC ARC, which will provide them with intellectual, are registered trademarks. The Ayn Rand Archives is a special dean and ARI senior fellow Onkar Ghate. moral and material support. ARC will host regular collection of the Ayn Rand Institute. Objectivist Conferences (OCON) and the Ayn Rand Bookstore are owned by Second Renaissance, Auditors have access to class recordings phone and online discussions with these activists, Inc., which is operated by the Ayn Rand Institute. Second but do not take exams or receive personal assist them in putting on speaking engagements Renaissance, Inc., and the Ayn Rand Institute do not necessarily endorse the content of the lectures and courses offered. All photos feedback on assignments. Auditing can be and in producing written materials for distribu- of Ayn Rand are used by permission of the Estate of Ayn Rand. a value for those interested in learning more tion, and will notify volunteers and others of their Purchases from the Ayn Rand Bookstore do not qualify as about Objectivism and the OAC but are not activities around the country. Although ARC will tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. ready to commit to the four-year program. Editors: Don Watkins, Jeff Scialabba work closely with this group, its resources will Editorial Advisers: Dr. Yaron Brook, Mark Chapman, Debi Ghate, If you would like more information about remain available to those who engage in activism Anu Seppala, Lin Zinser Designer: Simon Federman auditing the OAC, please visit www at any level. Printing: David Antonacci Copy Editor: Donna Montrezza .objectivistacademiccenter.org or e-mail We need activists in every state to effect Headquarters: 2121 Alton Parkway, Suite 250 [email protected]. cultural change. It is my hope that this column Irvine, CA 92606-4926 Phone: 949-222-6550 Fax: 949-222-6558 © The Ayn Rand Institute 2009. All rights reserved. Not to be will serve as inspiration and as a fount of ideas reproduced without permission. for activists.

4 Ayn Rand on Campus: Campus Clubs

confident in the value your club will bring to member who wasn’t a student at the university. the university, you’ll find faculty support if it’s She put up flyers around her local university required. The professor doesn’t have to be an to find interested students, and those students Objectivist, just someone who is open to intel- then went on to form an official club through lectual debate on campus. the school. ARI has years of experience and is happy Many college clubs welcome community to assist students in overcoming any difficul- members into their regular meetings. Those ties that might arise in organizing or running interested should begin by contacting a nearby a club. Students should not feel they have to club. There’s a list at www.aynrand.org/ do it alone and from scratch. If you have any education_campus_findclubs. concerns or questions, we encourage you to Impact: What were some of the highlights call us. from last year’s campus club campaign? Matthew Morgen is ARI’s Campus Clubs Impact: Could you provide a few exam- MM: We had a great year. There were coordinator. ples of how ARI assists campus clubs? more than forty speaking events with a total MM: In addition to guidance, ARI pro- attendance of more than three thousand. New Impact: What are Objectivist campus clubs? vides books, recorded lectures, flyers and sug- clubs were formed at Stanford University, Matthew Morgen: Objectivist campus gested meeting plans. We even offer coupons American University, the University of Geor- clubs are student groups whose members share for free copies of Atlas Shrugged that the gia, the University of Texas at Austin and the a common interest in Ayn Rand. Some clubs students can pass out on campus. For those University of Alabama, among others. are primarily educational. Some are primar- interested in becoming more active, I recom- Existing clubs continued to flourish, such ily social groups. Others are activist. They are mend our “Call to Action” video series with as those at Rice University, the University of all a haven for studying and discussing Ayn Yaron Brook, in which he discusses recent cul- California at Los Angeles, the University of Rand and her philosophy, and they ensure that tural and political events and offers ideas for California at Berkeley, Roger State, Georgia Objectivism has a voice on campus. effective promotion of Ayn Rand and Objec- Tech, the University of Virginia and the Uni- High school students can also start and tivism. They can be viewed on ARI’s campus versity of Maryland, to name a few. run successful campus clubs. These clubs are club Web site. One of my favorite stories comes from a founded and organized in much the same way Lastly, of course, we provide speakers for student at the University of North Carolina, as at the university level. club events, and can even help to fund such Charlotte. He founded a club at the beginning Impact: I understand some clubs are uni- events if a campus club is not successful in of the academic year, and for the first few versity sanctioned. What is the advantage of attaining funding from the university. We try meetings the only attendees were his girlfriend that? our best to keep a lack of club funds from and himself. Rather than becoming discour- MM: University sponsorship provides becoming a hang-up for students interested in aged and giving up, he stepped up his efforts to benefits that would not be available otherwise. learning more about Objectivism and bringing promote the club. These include provision of a regular meeting Ayn Rand’s ideas to their school. We know that By the end of the year his club had put on space on campus, permission to promote the bringing a speaker to the campus is a great way three speaking events that drew more than two club on university grounds, the ability to host for a club to attract more members! hundred people, and his club meetings were campus events and access to school funds to Impact: Is it possible for a student to bring being regularly attended by students and com- spend on advertising, guest speakers and social an Objectivist speaker to campus without hav- munity members. Although he’s transferring to events. ing a campus club? another school next year, he’s started an Atlas Impact: What kinds of activities do Objec- MM: In general, no, although there are Shrugged summer reading group to ensure his tivist clubs engage in? exceptions. If a student wants to bring an club will live on without him. He was also able MM: They explore Ayn Rand’s novels Objectivist intellectual on campus for a pub- to fundraise more than $2,000 to reimburse and ideas in structured meetings. They invite lic event they’re usually required to have a ARI for the money we invested in his club Objectivist intellectuals to speak on campus. formalized club which is recognized by their events. They organize display tables promoting Ayn university. If a student is not able to form an Impact: What is the outlook for Objectiv- Rand’s work. They write for campus papers Objectivist club, he can try to bring an Objec- ist campus clubs? or distribute The Undercurrent, an Objectivist tivist speaker to campus through a pre-existing MM: I’m very optimistic. I think there’s a newspaper circulated on colleges and universi- club. For instance, he could join a science club lot of room for growth, and I think that growth ties across America. and lobby from within to have [ARI fellow] will happen sooner rather than later. The Impact: What is the value of Objectivist Keith Lockitch speak on evolution. If we have demand is there. As the UNC example shows, campus clubs? the resources, we will accommodate non- all it takes is a single motivated student to get MM: Objectivist campus clubs are often Objectivist clubs. the ball rolling. I think the next few years are the basis for lasting friendships. As they are Impact: What happens when campus club going to be an exciting time, and I’m happy to usually “the place” to discuss Objectivism on founders graduate? be a part of it. campus, they greatly facilitate finding like- MM: Ideally, the club will move forward Impact: I’m a student who wants to start minded students who share one’s values. For seamlessly and flourish, although there are an Objectivist club at my university. How those new to Ayn Rand (perhaps from having instances where clubs don’t survive. In the should I begin? read her in high school), joining a club is a absence of another motivated club member to MM: You should begin by visiting your great way to become more familiar with her lead the club, little can be done to keep a club school’s Web site to learn the requirements philosophy and to find others with whom to alive. for starting a campus club. Talk to friends and share and enhance this learning experience. There are things graduating club founders classmates who might be interested, and start Hosting an Objectivist speaker also has can do to cultivate a future leader, however. looking for a faculty sponsor if required. tremendous value. It takes courage, grit and We encourage the graduating leader to begin You’ll also want to visit the student clubs hard-work to organize a speaking event. It’s grooming a successor a year before they leave. page on the ARI Web site. You’ll find loads of very rewarding to know you have been instru- For example, club leaders can ask potential advice on starting and maintaining a success- mental in bringing in an intellectual to chal- successors to lead a discussion or assist in ful campus club, as well as sample materials lenge the dominant ideology of your campus. planning an event. This helps the leader to for club meetings and a sign-up form to join Additionally, the campus club will often have gauge their level of commitment and leader- our student database. You should also let ARI the opportunity to go out for dinner or coffee ship skills. If one chooses the next leader care- know of your plans by calling me or sending with the speaker. That’s always a unique and fully and prepares them for the task ahead of me an email. We are able to offer personalized valuable experience. time, the club can continue without disruption. support and are happy to do so, so any poten- Impact: Are there challenges to starting Impact: Are there ways for community tial club leaders or members: please do get in campus clubs? members to support campus clubs? touch with me early on! MM: There are some challenges, but noth- MM: Certainly. One way is to sponsor a Most importantly, be proud of yourself ing that can’t be overcome. Many students club at a nearby university, which could entail for recognizing the value of a student club. In who are new to the works of Ayn Rand feel offering money or books or funding the dis- doing so you are fighting for your values and that they are not knowledgeable enough to run tribution of The Undercurrent. Another way ensuring that your fellow students are exposed meetings, but you don’t have to be an expert to help is by advertising and attending the to Ayn Rand on campus. to lead a discussion group. ARI offers advice, club’s public events. I can tell you as a former support and materials for all clubs that is tai- club leader that, after you’ve put your time To get in touch with Matthew Morgen, lored to their level of experience. and effort into organizing an event, it is most please call 949-222 6550, ext. 259 or e-mail There can also be administrative require- rewarding to have a full audience. [email protected]. ments to fulfill. For instance universities will Community members can even help spawn sometimes—though not always—require that a campus club. I know of at least one club campus clubs have a faculty sponsor. If you are which was founded this way by a community 5 Photos from Objectivist Summer Conference 2009

Boston’s World Trade Center

Yaron Brook at right speaking at the Christopher Columbus Park Tea Party

Opening banquet

Four of this year’s fourteen OAC graduates The State of the Ayn Rand Institute presentation

Book-signing with Andrew Bernstein

Academic Panel

John Allison presenting a general session lecture

Closing banquet Conference speakers

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