Volume 15, Number 10, October 2009 at New Web Site: Principles of a Free Society Objectivist Summer RI has launched Each page within A a new Web site the Principles of a Free Conference 2010 providing an overview Society site contains a of ’s political brief explanation of a eonard Peikoff, the fore- theory. The Web site, principle, a Q&A using most expert in Objectiv- L PrinciplesOfAFree- Ayn Rand’s writing ism today, will deliver a six- Society.com, was on the principle, and part lecture at Objectivist Sum- conceived as a means links to essays and mer Conference 2010 in Las of capitalizing on the recordings that discuss Vegas, Nevada. The course growing numbers of the principle’s founda- is based on his forthcoming Americans reading tion in more detail. book, The DIM Hypothesis, . It This is complemented which presents a new theory lays out key political by a wealth of mate- by Dr. Peikoff. From the course description: principles underlying rial demonstrating the “Dr. Peikoff’s forthcoming book, The DIM freedom in an inte- principle “in action.” Hypothesis, identifies three different modes of grated manner that both newcomers and longtime For example the page on objective law explains the integration, i.e., of interrelating concretes, such as readers may find beneficial. meaning of the principle and why it is essential to a individual percepts, facts, choices, story events, “I’d like to publicly thank Timothy Blum, who free society, and directs readers to material illustrat- etc. As Dr. Peikoff explains: ‘My thesis is that the generously funded the entire project,” said ARI ing how the principle applies to specific issues such dominant trends in every key area can be defined executive director Yaron Brook. “More and more as constitutional law and interpretation. by their leaders’ policy toward integration. They Americans are becoming involved in activism The Web site is hierarchically structured to are against it (Disintegration, D); they are for it, today—often for the first time in their lives. But aid visitors’ understanding of the principles. For continued on page 4 they need intellectual guidance. We hope they will instance the page dedicated to the principle of indi- find the Principles of a Free Society Web site valu- vidual rights links to pages about specific rights. able in developing their understanding of what they These include the right to life, the right to liberty, Rousing Successes should be advocating, and why.” the right to property, the right to the pursuit of hap- Dr. Brook acknowledged those who designed piness and the right to free speech. in New York and created the Web site. “I would also like to The Principles of a Free Society Web site will he early word is that two significant events thank ARI’s intellectual staff, who created the be updated with new materials from ARI as they Ttaking place in mid-September were great content of the Web site, and our Web management are produced. There is also an option to subscribe successes. team, who put the Web site together.” for e-mail notification on the Web site’s homepage. The September 15 Atlas Shrugged Revolution benefit dinner announced in the August Impact drew nearly 130 attendees. The event cost $2,500 Yaron Brook Speaks at Massive DC Rally a plate and included $50,000 and $25,000 spon- sorship levels, with funds earmarked for the Atlas rom a stage in convinced that a num- Shrugged Initiative and Ayn Rand Center activi- Ffront of the ber of these people are ties. There was a silent auction of rare Ayn Rand Capitol Building, reachable.” books and manuscripts, and presentations by John Yaron Brook Allison, BB&T chairman and former CEO; Yaron addressed a massive Tea Party Brook, executive director of the ; crowd that had Evan Lowenthal, a high school teacher from Har- assembled for the 9/12 Workshop lem who uses Ayn Rand novels in his classrooms; March on Washington, and Brad Thompson of the Clemson Institute for D.C. The rally was On the afternoon prior the Study of . the biggest of many to the 9/12 March on The evening before the dinner, Dr. Brook Tea Parties against D.C., more than 250 and Mr. Allison took part in a panel at New York the government’s Yaron Brook speaking in front of the Capitol Building people attended an University on the causes and possible cures of assault on freedom “intellectual ammu- the financial crisis. Two hundred and sixty people in America. Though no official crowd estimate is nition” workshop cosponsored by the Ayn Rand attended the event, which was sponsored by the uni- available—estimates range from 60,000 to more Center for Individual Rights and the Competitive versity’s student Objectivist club and the Ayn Rand than one million—the number of protestors was Enterprise Institute (CEI). The purpose of the event Center for Individual Rights. certainly large. Signs referencing Atlas Shrugged or was to help Tea Party organizers to better under- Look for a full report in the November Impact. Ayn Rand were scattered throughout the crowd. stand and communicate the fundamental ideas that As one of thirty-five speakers, Dr. Brook’s time underpin political freedom. before the microphone was brief, but his forceful Yaron Brook was a featured speaker. He Breaking News: 4,000+ message stood out among the day’s presentations. described how to morally defend self-interest and Prior to speaking, Dr. Brook was interviewed live capitalism. John Lewis, a visiting associate profes- Enter Atlas Shrugged from the staging area by Fox News Channel’s sor at Duke University, spoke about individual Glenn Beck on religion and freedom. rights. A main focus of his talk was how to spread Essay Contest “I had never been to a rally as big as this,” said the idea of individual rights through Tea Parties, for ARI vice president of Public Outreach Lin Zinser, instance by having a series of speakers discuss the ore than 4,000 students have entered the who arranged Dr. Brook’s appearance at the march. principle and its application to current events. M2009 Atlas Shrugged essay contest—break- “The participants were angry about overspending The speakers from CEI were Iain Murray and ing the previous record for entries by more than and the government’s involvement in health care, Fred Smith. Mr. Murray spoke about the history 100 percent. This follows record-breaking years cap and trade, and other issues, but were peaceful and nature of “tea party”-type demonstrations going for both the Anthem and Fountainhead essay and polite in expressing their frustration. We have back to the year 1285 in British history. Mr. Smith contests. Stay tuned for the November Impact for a lot of work to do to change the culture, but after spoke about the practical values of capitalism. the full story. attending the 9/12 March on D.C., I am even more continued on page 4 ARC Stands up for Oil RC has launched a new Web page in recognition A of oil’s 150th anniversary. “Celebrating Oil’s 150th Birthday” offers a multimedia collection of Ayn Rand and ARC materials that elaborate on the history and use of oil and extol its benefit to human life. The introduction explains the significance of oil’s sesquicentennial: “A century and a half ago, Edwin Drake suc- cessfully drilled the first commercial oil well. political, problem. In regard to the political princi- Today, oil remains the lifeblood of our civiliza- The Value of Industrial ple involved: if a man creates a physical danger or tion. It fuels our ultra-mobile, globalized world. harm to others, which extends beyond the line of It provides the building blocks for millions of Civilization his own property, such as unsanitary conditions or life-enhancing petroleum products. even loud noise, and if this is proved, the law can “Yet ‘Big Oil’ receives no appreciation. It Each month Impact suggests readings and other and does hold him responsible. If the condition is is demonized; oil is called an ‘addiction’ and a resources for fans of Ayn Rand’s fiction who wish collective, such as in an overcrowded city, appro- ‘pollutant’ to be rid of. to learn more about her , . priate and objective laws can be defined, protect- “This Web site gives you the tools you need ing the rights of all those involved—as was done to appreciate the incredible, neglected value of s with so many subjects, Ayn Rand’s view in the case of oil rights, air-space rights, etc. But oil, and to think clearly about oil’s role in foreign A of industrialization is the opposite of today’s such laws cannot demand the impossible, must not policy and environmental issues.” conventional wisdom. In news reports, movies be aimed at a single scapegoat, i.e., the industrial- Two of the page’s highlights are “Let’s and cartoons, we’re told that industrial civilization ists, and must take into consideration the whole Celebrate Oil’s 150th Birthday,” a new op-ed by contains the seeds of its own destruction (a varia- context of the problem, i.e., the absolute neces- ARC analyst Alex Epstein, recently published on tion of a Marxian theme). In contrast, Rand argued sity of the continued existence of industry—if the the top business and financial Web site Investors that industrial civilization provides incalculable preservation of human life is the standard.” (“The Business Daily, and “Climate Vulnerability and benefits to man. It is in those civilizations least Left: Old and New,” Return of the Primitive: The the Indispensible Value of Industrial Capitalism,” industrialized that man suffers most. Anti-Industrial Revolution) an article by ARC fellow Keith Lockitch that “If you consider, not merely the length, but the “Even if smog were a risk to human life,” she was published in the latest issue of the academic kind of life men have to lead in the undeveloped wrote elsewhere, “we must remember that life in journal Energy and Environment. parts of the world—‘the quality of life,’ to bor- nature, without technology, is wholesale death.” “I’m proud of the stand that ARC is taking row, with full meaning, the ecologists’ meaning- Pollution, in short, is not “the kind of danger that in defense of oil,” said Yaron Brook. “Very few less catch phrase—if you consider the squalor, the the ecological panic-mongers proclaim [it] to be.” have recognized the significance of this anniver- misery, the helplessness, the fear, the unspeakably (“The Anti-Industrial Revolution,” Return of the sary—including those in the oil industry. While hard labor, the festering diseases, the plagues, the Primitive: The Anti-Industrial Revolution) much of the world damns its lifeblood, we hap- starvation, you will begin to appreciate the role of For more on this topic see, in addition to the pily stand in its defense.” technology in man’s existence. . . . works already cited, “The Lessons of Vietnam,” The new Web site can be found at www “Without machines and technology, the task in The Ayn Rand Letter; “Apollo 11,” in The .aynrand.org/media_topic_oil. of mere survival is a terrible, mind-and-body- Voice of Reason; and “Apollo and Dionysus” in wrecking ordeal. In ‘nature,’ the struggle for food, Return of the Primitive: The Anti-Industrial Rev- clothing and shelter consumes all of a man’s olution. All of these items can be purchased from OAC Begins New Year energy and spirit; it is a losing struggle—the win- the Ayn Rand Bookstore. To order, visit www ner is any flood, earthquake or swarm of locusts. .aynrandbookstore.com or call 1-800-729-6149. he Objectivist Academic Center has begun (Consider the 500,000 bodies left in the wake of a Tits ninth year. The OAC offers four-year under- single flood in Pakistan; they had been men who graduate and graduate programs in Ayn Rand’s lived without technology.) To work only for bare Additional Resources from the philosophy and how to communicate ideas. Courses necessities is a luxury that mankind cannot afford.” are taught by professional Objectivist intellectuals. (“The Anti-Industrial Revolution,” Return of the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights Students take in-depth courses on Objectivism and Primitive: The Anti-Industrial Revolution) aynrandcenter.org philosophy in general, and receive extensive train- Fossil fuels provide the large-scale energy on Read: ing in oral and written communication. which today’s industrial civilization depends. In • “Vindicating Capitalism: The Real History of the Last spring fourteen OAC students comprised Atlas Shrugged, this is what the character Eddie Standard Oil Company” by Alex Epstein the largest graduating class in the OAC’s history. Willers thinks to himself about the achievements • “Let’s Celebrate Oil’s 150th Anniversary” by Alex This fall the entering class has thirty-seven new of the oil magnate Ellis Wyatt: “it was as if some- Epstein students, selected from an applicant pool of more body had given a shot of adrenaline to the heart • “Keep Our ‘Addiction’ to Oil, End Our Allergy to than 180. As is typical of OAC classes, this year’s of the mountain, the heart had started pumping, Self-Assertion” by Alex Epstein incoming group is composed of university students the black blood had burst through the rocks—of • “Climate Vulnerability and the Indispensable Value and working professionals from around the world. course it’s blood, thought Eddie Willers, because of Industrial Capitalism” by Keith Lockitch “Every year we see more and more interest in blood is supposed to feed, to give life, and that the OAC,” said Debi Ghate, ARI vice president is what Wyatt Oil had done. It had shocked Watch: of Academic programs. “This is a result of ARI’s empty slopes of ground into sudden existence, it • “The Monopoly Myth: The Case of Standard Oil” by educational and outreach efforts. Students in the had brought new towns, new power plants, new Alex Epstein OAC regularly tell us that their experience in the factories . . . a new industrial state where nobody • “A Critique of Climate Change Science and Policy” program has radically improved their thinking and had expected anything but cattle and beets.” —a panel discussion with Keith Lockitch and communication skills, and that they recommend In regard to the issue of pollution, Rand Willie Soon it to their peers who share interest in Ayn Rand’s stressed that one must keep the full context. • “Woodstock’s Legacy: The Rise of Environmen- books and ideas.” “[P]ollution . . . is primarily a scientific, not a talism and the Religious Right” by Yaron Brook OAC classes take place over the phone and Continued on page 4 Celebrating Columbus Day Without Guilt n honor of Columbus Day, free on ARI’s Web site, Mr. Bowden exposes this Day Without Guilt” and his op-ed “Let’s I ARI would like to alert read- misrepresentation of Columbus and champions Take Back Columbus Day,” Mr. Bowden ers to the works of ARI analyst Columbus Day as an opportunity to celebrate elaborates on the reasons why Columbus Day Thomas Bowden espousing the Western civilization’s core values—reason, sci- should be a celebration of the explorer and achievement of one of Western ence, technology, progress, capitalism, individual Western civilization itself. Both are available civilization’s great heroes. rights, law, and the selfish pursuit of individual at www.aynrandcenter.org. Mr. Bowden will Mr. Bowden has written happiness here on earth. give talks on Christopher Columbus at: New and spoken extensively on His book The Enemies of Christopher Colum- York University (October 5); the University Christopher Columbus and his bus, available through the Ayn Rand Bookstore, is of Virginia (October 12); the University of discovery of America. Much a systematic debunking of common myths about Maryland (October 13); and the University of of Mr. Bowden’s work on Columbus focuses on Columbus. These include claims that Columbus Texas at Austin (October 15). All talks are titled dispelling myths about the explorer spread by was a lost sailor whose discovery of America was “Columbus Day Without Guilt.” advocates of multiculturalism, who paint Colum- simply luck, that the Indians lived in harmony Many of the writings and lectures men- bus and the New World’s settlers as brutal con- with nature and that the settlers stole land from the tioned above are available for purchase from querors that destroyed a pristine Indian paradise. indigenous population. the Ayn Rand Bookstore. To order visit www In his works, many of which are available for In his ARC Lecture Series talk “Columbus .aynrandbookstore.com or call 1-800-729-6149. 2 Memorial Fund Conference Scholarships New Memorial Fund Established n 2009 the Institute’s memorial scholarship funds, n cooperation with the Institute, Sandi Brents has established the Jimmy (“Jim”) I which have been established by ARI donors in I E. Brents Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor the memory of her late remembrance of deceased loved ones, continued to husband. Like ARI’s other memorial funds, the Brents Fund will support make it possible for promising young people in pursuit scholarships and grants to Objectivist students and scholars. of intellectual careers to attend the Objectivist summer Jim Brents grew up first in Oklahoma and later in Texas, where he greatly conference. Of this year’s twenty conference scholarships, sixteen were enjoyed his career as a mechanical engineer. He and Mrs. Brents met in college, funded by the memorial funds. All scholarship recipients are enrolled at married in 1967 and raised two sons together. They lived in south Texas for thirty- the Objectivist Academic Center and several are or have been organizers four years before Mr. Brents’s death in 2008 from an extended illness. of campus Objectivist clubs. Mr. Brents first encountered Ayn Rand’s ideas through his We thank our memorial fund donors for making such support wife in 1979. Mrs. Brents read Atlas Shrugged that year and possible. The memorial funds are part of the Atlantis Legacy, ARI’s began studying, integrating and applying Ayn Rand’s ideas. planned giving program. The funds open for contribution are listed below. “She became difficult to live with!” Mr. Brents remarked To create a memorial fund, or to support one of the existing to ARI’s Kathy Cross in 2001. In due course he read Atlas funds and thus assist deserving “New Intellectuals,” contact Shrugged himself, was won over by Francisco d’Anconia’s Kathy Cross, Gift & Estate Planning Manager, at 732-242-9408 “money” speech, and became as passionately committed to or [email protected]. understanding and advancing Objectivism as his wife was. For more than twenty years, they were ARI donors and active • Burton E. Berger Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2003 Jim Brents in 2005. members of the Houston Objectivism Society; Mrs. Brents by Mr. Berger’s wife, Leora Berger Photo courtesy of continues in both roles. Laura Brents • Jimmy (“Jim”) E. Brents Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in “Jim was very impressed and encouraged by ARI’s 2009 by Mr. Brents’s wife, Sandi Brents stunning progress, especially in recent years,” said Mrs. Brents. “Though he doubted • George W. Brumley III Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in he would live long enough to see Objectivism take hold in the culture, he was 2003 by Mr. Brumley’s friend and business partner, David Carr more hopeful than ever that it would happen one day. He thoroughly enjoyed the • James G. Comer Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2007 annual conferences, so I know by Mr. Comer’s wife, Roberta Zall he would be delighted to have • Anne Daw Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2006 his memorial fund support by Mrs. Daw’s husband, Stuart Daw scholarships to the event.” • Stephen H. Goldman MD Memorial Scholarship Fund, established The Brents Fund will award in 2001 by Dr. Goldman’s wife, Marilyn Goldman its first scholarships in 2010. • Swapan Gupta Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2009 Contributions to the Brents Fund by Mr. Gupta’s wife, Sumita Gupta and/or to ARI’s other memorial • Terry Radow Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2006 funds are welcome at any time by Mrs. Radow’s husband, Steven Radow. (see related story on this page for a list of all the funds). Sandi and Jim Brents in 2007. Photo courtesy of Michelle Brents 2009 Scholarship Recipients Share Their Conference Experience

The following are excerpted, with permission, from memorial scholarship “As an avid student of Ayn Rand’s ideas, I recipients’ thank-you letters to those responsible for their attendance at had so much wanted to attend Objectivist Objectivist Summer Conference 2009. conferences for such a long time. But being a student all these years, I didn’t have “The conference scholarship the means to do so. . . . I had the greatest allowed me to immerse in an time of my life at the Conference. . . . environment in which people The intellectual material I gathered, and shared my deepest values. It the conceptual connections that followed, was spiritually fulfilling to are helping me in formulating a proper be surrounded by individuals epistemological foundation in the area who believed that ideas were of constitutional interpretation. OCON important and worth fighting motivated me to pursue a line of thought for. Attending the conference that developed from the lectures of Harry gave me the emotional fuel Binswanger, , , and I needed to keep fighting for Aditya Pawar and Sara Sherris, this year’s Thomas Bowden. I find myself frequently the ideas and values I most recipients of OCON scholarships from the turning back to my OCON lecture notes cherish.” James G. Comer Memorial Scholarship Fund in my ongoing research on the Contracts —Rituparna Basu, Clause of the Constitution.” undergraduate student in —Aditya Pawar, student at the University of Toledo College of Law Leora Berger (seated) with this year’s recipients of OCON scholarships from the Burton E. Berger Memorial Scholarship biology at Pennsylvania and a 2009 Comer Fund scholarship recipient Fund: L to R, Sascha Settegast, Rituparna Basu, James State and a 2009 Berger Locksley, Michael Jeshurun. Photo courtesy of Bennett Karp Fund scholarship recipient “Sitting in a Greek history course with Dr. John Lewis not only added to my knowledge, it fueled my soul. The speakers at OCON were living proof that “OCON [Objectivist Conferences] has ‘refueled’ me motivationally to work John Galt is possible. My fellow conference scholars and attendees I met were harder and integrate Objectivist ideas into my life and everywhere I turn to. evidence that Objectivism is living and breathing, that many people appreciate As such, since my return from OCON I have opened an Objectivist club at rationality and are willing to fight for it. . . . OCON enhanced my excitement about Tel Aviv University. . . . Thank you for enabling me to perform a major leap Objectivism and my mind and soul are now better armed to change the world!” towards fulfilling my personal and professional goals and I hope that in the —Sara Sherris, undergraduate student in philosophy at the University future I could serve as a spokesman for reason as you do.” of Virginia and a 2009 Comer Fund scholarship recipient —Michael Jeshurun, undergraduate student in philosophy at Tel Aviv University and a 2009 Berger Fund scholarship recipient “Attending OCON reminds me that there are productive, rational, “I’ve been happiest when celebrating some aspect of my benevolent individuals in the past, present or future of which I’m particularly proud. world—from teachers to engineers, At the OCON banquet, I was able, for the first time, to musicians to businessmen—who celebrate all of those things at the same time. It was a share a common dream of changing celebration of my past, because it was my choices and our culture, and ultimately living the resulting accomplishments that brought me to that in a benevolent world where we moment, and gave it meaning. It was a celebration of are all free to pursue our lives and my present, because I was surrounded by incredible happiness. The intellectual benefits people who share my essential values. And finally it was of attending OCON were paralleled Alexander Hrin Sumita Gupta (center) with this year’s recipients of OCON a celebration of my future because even though I’ve got scholarships from the Swapan Gupta Memorial Scholarship only by the spiritual fuel it provided a long way and a lot of work to go before I get there, I’ve seen the kind of Fund: Sam Tenney (L) and W. Dale Stevens. for me, as I strive to live my life to Photo courtesy of Rosemary Gately world that I want; I know it’s possible, and I know it’s worth fighting for.” the best of my potential.” —Alexander Hrin, graduate student in biophysics at the University —W. Dale Stevens, research associate in cognitive neuroscience at of Michigan and the 2009 Radow Fund scholarship recipient Harvard University and a 2009 Gupta Fund scholarship recipient

3 Leonard Peikoff at Objectivist Summer New Essay Contest for Former Participants: Conference 2010, continued from page 1 How Has Reading Ayn Rand’s Novels Affected You? if it conforms to Nature (Integration, I); they are for it, if it conforms to a Super-Nature (Misinte- RI’s Education department has launched a answer one of two questions in 700–1,500 words: gration, M).’ The book—focusing on literature, A new essay contest inviting all former con- physics, education, and politics—demonstrates the test participants—grades 11 and above; including 1. What was your initial response to the novel(s)? power of these three modes in shaping Western adults—to discuss how reading Ayn Rand and enter- In what ways has reading Ayn Rand inspired culture and history. ing an ARI essay contest has impacted their lives. you and the choices you have made in your life? “In 2007 [at the Objectivist summer confer- According to Marilee Dahl, ARI’s Education depart- 2. How did your participation in ARI’s essay ence in Telluride, Colorado], Dr. Peikoff presented ment manager, there is a “need” for such a contest. contest bring about a better understanding of the first and more theoretical half of the book. Now “Over the years,” she said, “we have received Ayn Rand’s works? What impact did this have comes the cashing-in: his identification, on the basis hundreds of letters from essay contest partici- on your educational and personal ambitions? of his Hypothesis, of the rules that have governed pants expressing their gratitude and passion for each of the major changes in Western culture (e.g., Ayn Rand’s novels and ideas. We are excited to There will be one first prize of $2,000, two pagan to Christian or Enlightenment to Modernist); see how many entries we receive to this contest second prizes of $500 each, five third prizes of his analysis of the DIM factors defining the condi- and to learn how reading Ayn Rand and taking $100 each and five finalist prizes of $50 each. The tion of the U.S. today; and then, applying all this, part in our essay contests have influenced the winning essay will be published online. The dead- how those rules predict our future; or, as the title of writers’ lives.” line is May 14, 2010. For more information, visit his last chapter puts it: ‘What’s Next.’ (Along with Participants in the new contest are asked to www.aynrand.org/education_contests_index. his prediction, Dr. Peikoff specifies a time frame and a degree of probability.)” Teachers Respond to Free Books Program Yaron Brook welcomed the news that Dr. Peikoff agreed to speak at the conference. Each year, the Ayn Rand Institute sends out “My students found [] difficult “We’re ecstatic that Dr. Peikoff will be presenting hundreds of thousands of Ayn Rand books to at first, but really started getting into it after dis- in Las Vegas this summer. As longtime confer- teachers who wish to use them in their class- cussing it with each other. I could see them wres- ence attendees know, it is a treat to hear him in rooms. At the end of the year, a questionnaire is tling with their thoughts and opinions throughout person. That Dr. Peikoff will be lecturing about sent out asking the teachers for feedback on the the discussion. It really challenged them to think his new theory makes it all the more enticing. His program. Here is a sampling of the responses about what Ayn Rand meant and if they agreed 2007 course received rave reviews. I’m sure the ARI has received: with her or not. It set itself apart from other books sequel will be the highlight of Objectivist Summer we read in class.” Conference 2010.” “This was the first time I had taught The Fountain- —Kernersville, NC Dr. Peikoff was a student and friend of head, but it will not be the last. The class reading Ayn Rand’s for more than thirty years and one of this book elicited excellent discussion from my “At first, my students seemed daunted by the of the founders of the Ayn Rand Institute. He senior English students and led to many oppor- length, but after getting into the novels, THEY holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from New York tunities to prompt further exploration of personal LOVED THEM! It became a bragging right University and has taught at Hunter College, values. Over half the students proclaimed this among their peers, and many even became almost Long Island University and New York University, their favorite novel, and a number of them vol- obsessed with her writing and philosophy, and I am among others. He has lectured extensively on untarily memorized passages which they quoted currently hoping to tie into other class curriculum Objectivism and its application, and is the author frequently during the rest of the year and said they in my school. I could not have asked for a better of The Ominous Parallels and Objectivism: would keep referring to in college. Rand’s brilliant response, and they allowed me to open up the eyes The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, the definitive crafting of this story held their interest (no easy of my students to a completely new way of think- presentation of Ayn Rand’s philosophy. feat in today’s world) and caused many of them ing. So, thank you from my students and me.” The 2007 course is not a prerequisite for to confront ideas that they would never otherwise —Cooper City, FL this summer’s lectures. Those who wish to pur- have considered. The experience was both reward- chase a recording of the 2007 lecture, however, ing and enlightening for me. Thank you so much can do so through the Ayn Rand Bookstore. To for this opportunity.” order, visit www.aynrandbookstore.com or call —Rocky Mount, NC 1-800-729-6149. For conference information, visit www “Our community is a small rural county school. TM .objectivistconferences.com. Students are not often exposed to ideas beyond agri- culture. This book was eye-opening for them. They books/audio/videos . . . for the rational mind TM had not considered how some ideals are fostered or Yaron Brook Speaks at Massive DC Rally, how societies use fear and conformity to maintain Spotlight on the Bookstore: their ‘utopia’ (deemed so by those in power). They continued from page 1 compared their own lives and society rules to those Winning the Unwinnable War in Anthem. Many of my students indicated it was A spirited Q&A followed the presentations. and We the Living DVD one of their favorite pieces of literature. “ Many of the participants were enthusiastic about —Toledo, IL inning the Unwinnable War: the forum, said Ms. Zinser, and great interest was America’s Self-Crippled generated in Ayn Rand. W “My students LOVED [Anthem]. It was unlike Response to Islamic Totalitarianism Videos of these events are available on anything they had ever read before, nor had any is a new anthology of ARI essays on ARC-TV.com and YouTube. teacher ever shared with them. Thank you for foreign policy, edited by ARI fellow offering a great piece of literature to our students!” and featuring contribut- —Bronx, NY ing essays by ARI executive director Yaron Brook and ARI analyst Alex OAC Begins New Year, continued from page 2 Epstein. The authors argue that “My students loved Anthem. It was eye-opening online, and those who are in the Irvine area are America’s response to 9/11 has for them politically, as I hoped it would be. Many failed to make us safer. They spell out how we can conclu- welcome to attend in person. Classes are recorded of them asked if Rand wrote any other novels, and for those who cannot attend live. sively defeat the threat from Islamic totalitarianism—taking as I told them about the Web site, and told them that their moral framework Ayn Rand’s code of . Visit www.objectivistacademiccenter.org. Atlas Shrugged is my favorite book. Several stu- Visit www.winningtheunwinnablewar.com. dents began reading The Fountainhead, and many irst produced in Fascist Italy bought Atlas Shrugged to read over the summer.” Impact is published monthly by the Ayn Rand® Institute (ARI) and is Fduring World War II, this is complimentary to current donors who contribute $35 or more per year. —Arlington, TX the painstakingly restored film For information on how you can support ARI and to learn about version of Ayn Rand’s novel We our projects, please visit our Web site: www.aynrand.org. Atlantis Legacy®, the Institute’s planned giving program, and related indicia “This was the first year Philosophy was offered in the Living. The familiar story, which are registered trademarks. The Ayn Rand Archives is a special my school and the students both enjoyed the books pits individuals against the state, is collection of the Ayn Rand Institute. Objectivist Conferences (OCON) set in the chaotic years following and the Ayn Rand Bookstore are operations of the Ayn Rand Institute. and found them much more useful and accessible All photos of Ayn Rand are used by permission of the Estate of Ayn than other works. The students recommended the Russian Revolution and stars Rand. Purchases from the Ayn Rand Bookstore do not qualify as [Atlas Shrugged] be required reading.” Alida Valli as the heroine Kira. tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. —North Las Vegas, NV The black-and-white film is 174 Editors: , Jeff Scialabba minutes long and in Italian with English subtitles. The bonus Editorial Advisers: Yaron Brook, Mark Chapman, Debi Ghate, features of the two-disc DVD include a documentary about Anu Seppala, Lin Zinser Designer: Simon Federman “I would just like to say that the time spent teach- the making and recovery of the film. A movie review by Printing: David Antonacci Copy Editor: Donna Montrezza ing The Fountainhead is the most rewarding time guest writer Scott Holleran is available in the e-mail edition Headquarters: 2121 Alton Parkway, Suite 250 of the year. It allows for so many class discus- Irvine, CA 92606-4926 Phone: 949-222-6550 Fax: 949-222-6558 of this month’s Impact. sions and lessons on philosophy and psychology © The Ayn Rand Institute 2009. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced that the students would not otherwise experience.” To order these titles, visit www.aynrandbookstore.com without permission. ARI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions or call 1-800-729-6149. to ARI in the United States are tax-exempt to the extent provided by law.. —West Long Branch, NJ

4 casting is perfect. This is particularly true of Alida Movie Review: We the Living Valli as Kira; she rises when speaking of bridges and going abroad, she sinks when losing Leo and The following review is by guest The rest of We the Living is her she radiates from the screen. writer Scott Holleran (www odyssey. She enrolls in the univer- Enchantment and bitterness collide in a cli- .scottholleran.com). sity, listens to Communist propa- mactic confrontation. Blacklisted Leo’s reckless ganda, and meets a high-ranking scheme and Kira’s desperate charade with Andrei he movie adaptation of secret policeman, Andrei Taganov to save Leo’s life collapse, and We the Living ends TAyn Rand’s We the Living (Fosco Giachetti), whom she learns as it must, as a sad but truthful tale of totalitarian- is haunting, passionate and, in to respect. Andrei first appears with ism. Clocks, calendars and capsules of saccha- today’s context, fundamentally his back to the audience, surrepti- rine—all are symbols that their days are numbered. relevant. The 1942 foreign film tiously making his way through a The power of Ayn Rand’s We the Living is by Italian director Goffredo crowd. When we see him again he steeped in her ideas—tightly integrated plot points Alessandrini, which centers upon is intruding on a private conversa- that match today’s headlines—and the film is a three individuals’ struggle against tion; and later, we find him in the skillful expression of her literary warning against Soviet Russia, is a masterpiece. shadows. Andre’s looming pres- dictatorship. Introducing the novel’s new trade The film (which is in Italian ence remains throughout the film. paperback edition, Leonard Peikoff writes that We with English subtitles) begins with The black-and-white film, shot the Living is relevant because it is about an ever- opening credits and character pho- on soundstages, is polished. The approaching future. Now—especially now—one tographs imposed over an inferno. camera moves at an even pace, can add: so is the movie. Renzo Rossellini’s insistent score and many lines are taken from builds dramatic tension, and the the novel. Director Alessandrini, music and images immediately convey the serious- with director of photography Giuseppe Caracciolo, ness of the story’s themes. A train cuts through the keeps key characters in soft close-ups with lighting snow, a whistle blows, and there she is—one girl, that emphasizes the actor’s face. bathed in light—sitting in the train. The technique is especially effective when She is Kira Argounova (Alida Valli), a young, Kira meets Leo Kovalensky (Rossano Brazzi). striking and confident contrast to the bleary-eyed, In long, lingering takes on the young lovers, History of the huddled passengers around her. Suddenly, we are who rendezvous in a wintry garden, the story’s We the Living Movie thrust into the world of Communist deprivation. essential theme about the sanctity of life is cast By Scott Holleran Arriving in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), Kira in unforgettable images, simple, intimate words and her family learn that their home has been and stirring music. As they part after their first he pirated Italian film Noi Vivi (We the Living) seized by the state. encounter, Leo’s caveat to their plans to meet T was made by Scalera Films without Ayn Rand’s Everyone, Kira’s parents, sister and extended again—“If I’m still alive and if I don’t forget”— permission. Originally censored during production family, tries to make the best of the new situa- is at once a statement on totalitarianism and a by Italy’s fascist dictatorship under Benito Mussolini tion, speculating during a meal on how long the signal of his impending demise. and released as two movies in 1942 (Noi Vivi and dictatorship will last, whether to adapt, and how As Leo, Rossano Brazzi fits the part, and it Addio, Kira), it was rediscovered in Rome in 1968. to fit in. When her charming Communist cousin is easy to underestimate him given the actor’s We the Living was reconstructed with English Victor asks 18-year-old Kira about her future, she prettiness (when Kira meets Leo in the novel: subtitles by coproducer Duncan Scott as a single declares that she’s going to be an engineer—and “Her face was a mirror for the beauty of his”). As movie and premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in 1986. We the Living was theatrically released in build for her own sake. Someone looks at her intense Andrei, Giachetti is excellent, though he 1988 at a Hollywood premiere sponsored by ARI with sympathy and asks: “Child, what are you is considerably older. From slippery Syerov and and cohosted by Leonard Peikoff. doing in Soviet Russia?” Kira answers, “that’s callous comrade Sonia—exactly as described in what I’m wondering about.” the book—to defiant Irina and gruff Timoshenko,

Objectivist Summer Conference 2009 Conference Scholars ttendees of Objectivist summer conferences often remark that the event is extremely professional and well-run. The group of conference A scholars is a crucial component of the conference operations. These young Objectivists are an ever-present sight, checking badges at the doors, distributing and collecting course evaluation forms, assisting speakers and recording lectures. All of the scholars are OAC students. In exchange for their assistance, scholars are able to attend all general session lectures and at least two optional courses, as well as the opening and closing banquets, one of the optional dinners and the scholarship also covers their hotel stay. Much of the funding for conference scholarships comes from the Institute’s memorial scholarship funds (see article on page 3).

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