Volume 15, Number 2, February 2009 Objectivist Summer Conference Preview: ARC Launches Blog Interview with Wayne Fortun Voices for Reason, the blog of ARI’s Center for Individual Rights, is now live! ARC intellectuals are already using the new medium to Wayne Fortun, CEO of company to continue to create real value. share their commentary on breaking issues in the Hutchinson Technology, will That struck me as something tied to a corpo- news and to bring other items of potential interest present a general session at rate culture and a , and it seemed to me to our readers. The format allows for the post- Objectivist Summer Confer- that the only meaningful foundation to building a ing of video and images, and facilitates linking to ence 2009. (See description culture like that would be Objectivist principles. other web-based content. In addition, the blog will below.) Hutchinson Tech- It has to be a culture that first and foremost recog- carry ARI and ARC announcements and updates. nology is a world leader in nizes reality, and then applies reason to determine Wayne Fortun the production of precision what are the best directions to go and how to go hard-drive components, with about achieving those directions. And then one has annual sales of $500–600 million. In 2002 to set about doing that. These elements rely on all Hutchinson Technology instituted a managerial the of . training program based on Objectivist princi- Impact: And I understand you’ve fostered ples. The program was initiated by Mr. Fortun such a culture at Hutchinson? and developed in conjunction with ARI. WF: In 2002 Hutchinson actually developed Mr. Fortun was previously interviewed in classes in conjunction with ARI that formally Impact in August 2004. That earlier interview taught Objectivist principles and virtues. And we and a profile of the leadership development tied those principles to the actions and practices “It’s our goal to make Voices for Reason program are available at www.aynrand.org/ of everyday operations at Hutchinson Technol- the go-to source for ARI’s unique perspective businessmen_courses. ogy. This worked to concretize for our employees on the most important news of the day and the how Hutchinson Technology is run, and when state of our culture,” said Debi Ghate, vice pres- Impact: The title of your summer conference talk you walk in the door, this is the way we expect ident of Academic programs. “Our writers will is “Objectivist Corporate Culture Is a Durable you to operate. share their insights, evaluating current events Competitive Advantage.” In a nutshell, how so? Impact: How has the program been received? with Ayn Rand’s philosophy as their guide. Wayne Fortun: A durable competitive WF: It has been very positively received. We will also discuss what principled solutions advantage is something that gives you a real We’ve probably had the best comments come back Objectivism offers in tackling today’s political, value-differentiation from your competition over an from that effort than from any training program economic and cultural problems.” extended period of time. Years ago I looked at what we’ve offered through all the years. I’ve had a Voices for Reason can be found at a durable competitive advantage would consist of number of employees come up to me and say that blog.aynrandcenter.org. in our industry. I found that because our industry that class changed their lives. We’ve brought four changes so rapidly, both in technology and product hundred people through the course, and we’ve demands, ultimately the real difference between covered executives, managers, supervisors and one company and the next is being flexible enough emerging leaders. Foundation and to adapt to those changes. That’s what allows a We’ve also made it part of our orientation for new employees, so as they come on board they’re ARI Attend Academic Objectivist Corporate Culture Is a given an expectation immediately that this is the Conferences Durable Competitive Advantage way we think, this is the way we run the business, Wayne Fortun these are the expectations we have. It gives the he Anthem Foundation for Objectivist employee an immediate understanding of what TScholarship and ARI were present at two The following is a description of Mr. Fortun’s kind of behaviors and actions they are going to prominent academic conferences, the Ameri- Objectivist summer conference general session have to demonstrate to succeed, and if it doesn’t can Philosophical Association (APA), East- lecture. (See the interview with Mr. Fortun work for them they can make an early choice to ern Division, and the American Historical above.) The general session will take place perhaps go elsewhere. Association (AHA), which took place in late Friday, July 10, 8–9:30 p.m. Impact: How has that manifested itself in December and early January, respectively. material success for Hutchinson Technology? ARI and Anthem cohosted display booths Long-term business success requires an WF: Well, now that’s a tough one to judge. and promoted the resources available to pro- organization to develop a durable competitive One way to put it is that in the mid-80s we had fessors interested in Ayn Rand. This included advantage—one that offers unique value to the thirty-four competitors in the United States. Today free books, teaching materials and network- marketplace and differentiates one’s product there are zero. And we didn’t buy any of them. ing opportunities with other professors. At from the competition. They simply left the business or went out of busi- each conference, the display booths were In this lecture Mr. Fortun will argue that ness. Today there are only three other competitors in very visible locations and attracted many the only way to maintain a durable competitive in the world. They’re all in Asia. And we manufac- visitors. advantage is to be flexible, adaptable and have ture everything in the United States and export to “ARI recently started transitioning its the ability to continuously develop new offerings Asia about 98 percent of our product. professor outreach efforts to the Anthem and capabilities. Since no single technology or So we look upon it as being able to be a leader Foundation,” said Debi Ghate, senior director product will be able to remain differentiated in in this segment of the industry, and I would almost of the Anthem Foundation. “By cohosting the the market long range, it is ultimately the culture argue that our mere survival is evidence of the displays with Anthem this year, we were able of an organization which enables continuous fruits of our culture. And that culture is based on to introduce this important change to those improvement and innovation. Objectivist principles. already familiar with ARI’s efforts, and let This lecture will show how the Objectivist Impact: Could you provide a few details of them know that Anthem is the new source for philosophy, with its key virtues, is the only the training program? support for scholars interested in Rand.” foundation that nurtures a reality-based, value- WF: What we drive home first is how phi- ARI analyst Thomas Bowden oversaw the oriented culture—a culture which maintains losophy and business are intertwined. We teach the display at the AHA conference. The AHA is personal and corporate integrity in a demanding importance of acting on principle and the destruc- the largest annual meeting of historians in the market and at the same time satisfies Wall Street. tiveness of compromise. And then the of United States, with approximately six thousand continued on page 3 continued on page 2 Ayn Rand Society Meets in Philadelphia

arry Binswanger, a member of ARI’s board H of directors, was a featured panelist at the most recent meeting of the Ayn Rand Society. The meeting took place on December 28 at the annual meeting of the American Philosophical Association, Eastern Division, which was held December 27–30 in Philadelphia. (See related article on page 1.) America’s protection of individual rights The title of the panel was “Objectivity in America’s Moral meant that men were free to selfishly pursue their Esthetic Value.” With Ayn Rand Society chair- own interests. Individuals thrived, and conse- man moderating, Dr. Binswanger Greatness quently so did America. “America’s abundance and two other panelists presented papers and was not created by public sacrifices to ‘the com- discussed Ayn Rand’s theory of art. Each month Impact suggests readings and other mon good,’ but by the productive genius of free The next meeting of the Ayn Rand Society resources for fans of Ayn Rand’s fiction who wish men who pursued their own personal interests and will take place on April 9 at the annual meeting to learn more about her philosophy, Objectivism. the making of their own private fortunes. They of the APA’s Pacific Division, which runs April did not starve the people to pay for America’s 8–12 in Vancouver. ARI senior fellow Onkar industrialization. They gave the people better Ghate is the featured speaker. The topic of the he U.S. presidential inauguration brought jobs, higher wages, and cheaper goods with every meeting is “Reason, Choice, and the Creation of Twith it the habitual promise of a restoration of new machine they invented, with every scientific One’s Own Character.” America’s greatness. Few would deny that such a discovery or technological advance—and thus the The Ayn Rand Society is an affiliate of the restoration is necessary. But what, exactly, needs whole country was moving forward and profiting, APA, Eastern Division. It was founded in 1987. to be restored? And how can we restore it? not suffering, every step of the way.” (“What Is Its aim is “to foster the scholarly study by philos- Ayn Rand held America in the highest esteem. ?” in Capitalism: The Unknown ) ophers of the philosophical thought and writings In her 1974 West Point lecture, reprinted as the But this system could not survive the destruc- of Ayn Rand.” For more information, visit www title essay of Philosophy: Who Needs It, she wrote, tion of philosophy. As Ayn Rand wrote in the title .aynrandsociety.org. “I can say—not as a patriotic bromide, but with essay of , “Americans full knowledge of the necessary metaphysical, have known how to erect a superlative material epistemological, ethical, political and esthetic achievement in the midst of an untouched wil- roots—that the United States of America is the derness, against the resistance of savage tribes. Announcement from the greatest, the noblest and, in its original founding What we need today is to erect a correspond- Anthem Foundation principles, the only moral country in the history of ing philosophical structure, without which the the world.” material greatness cannot survive. A skyscraper The Anthem Foundation for Objectivist Scholarship will host For Ayn Rand, the root of America’s gran- cannot stand on crackerbarrels, nor on wall mot- a private reception for its donors at Objectivist Summer Conference 2009. The reception will take place on Wednesday, deur was straightforward. “America’s founding toes, nor on full-page ads, nor on prayers, nor on July 8, at 9:30 p.m., immediately following the Academic Panel. ideal was the principle of individual rights,” meta-language. The new wilderness to reclaim is “It will be an occasion to celebrate the growth and success she wrote. “Nothing more—and nothing less. philosophy, now all but deserted, with the weeds of the programs the Foundation sponsors,” said Anthem The rest—everything that America achieved, of prehistoric doctrines rising again to swallow the Foundation senior director Debi Ghate. “Our staff, board of everything she became, everything ‘noble and ruins. To support a culture, nothing less than a new directors and supported scholars look forward to thanking our just,’ and heroic, and great, and unprecedented philosophical foundation will do.” contributors in person for their generous support.” in human history—was the logical consequence For further reading on this topic (in addition of fidelity to that one principle. The first conse- to the works already cited), see “Man’s Rights” Objectivist Academic Center quence was the principle of political freedom, in The Virtue of Selfishness, as well as “The Soul i.e., an individual’s freedom from physical com- of an Individualist,” “The Meaning of Money” Grant Funds Student pulsion, coercion or interference by the govern- and Galt’s speech in For the New Intellectual. All ment. The next was the economic implementation these items can be purchased from the Ayn Rand am Tenney, a philosophy of political freedom: the system of capitalism.” Bookstore. To order, please call 1-800-729-6149 Sstudent at the University (“A Preview,” part 3, in The Ayn Rand Letter) or visit www.aynrandbookstore.com. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was able to attend both the AHA and APA conferences thanks to funding he received Anthem Foundation and ARI Attend Academic Conferences, continued from page 1 from the Objectivist Academic Center. Mr. Tenney is also a attendees this year. “Ayn Rand’s philosophy lar stream of visitors over the course of the third-year student of the OAC Sam Tenney and writings contain a wealth of useful infor- three-day conference. “We were right by the and a former ARI intern. He mation for historians,” Mr. Bowden said. entrance,” he recalled. “I’m sure most of recently described his conference experience to “Her philosophy of history, her epistemologi- the conference attendees saw our booth, and Impact. cal theory, and her cogent analyses of histori- many of them paid us a visit.” “In addition to attending academic sessions, cal events all deserve wider exposure among Though Anthem and ARI work closely I helped host Anthem and ARI’s book exhibit,” historians.” together, they remain separate nonprofit cor- he reported. “This entailed talking to a variety The APA display was manned by ARI porations. More information about Anthem of people. The majority of visitors were profes- writer , who reported a regu- can be found at www.anthemfoundation.org. sors who already taught Ayn Rand in their classes or were interested in learning more about her. I directed them to information on Anthem Founda- tion grants and archival research opportunities, and recommended philosophical material that fit their interests. I also talked to interested and often enthu- siastic students about their experience with Objec- tivism, and told them about materials and programs that could help them learn more. “The main value I gained from this experi- ence was a better understanding of the nature of academia. I learned a great deal about what the people are like and what kind of research they do, which will undoubtedly assist me in making the best choices for myself as I sign up for classes and investigate graduate schools this coming year. I was also able to learn more about some philosophi- cal issues that interest me, and to interact with professors I may end up working with in the future. “To those donors and members of ARI’s staff that made this experience possible, ‘thank you.’ In addition to being very enjoyable, it has given me a perspective that will enhance my ability to get the most value I can out of my upcoming years in the Anthem Foundation and ARI booth at the American Philosophical Association conference academic world.” 2 By Keith Lockitch ideologues. Consider the premise of the nonfic- Ayn Rand Center Op-Ed: “No ‘Footprint,’ No Life” tion bestseller titled The World Without Us, which fantasizes about how the earth would “recover” if This op-ed was published comes from altering nature for our own benefit. all humanity suddenly became extinct. Or consider in the Washington Times From the perspective of human life and the chilling, anti-human conclusion of an op-ed on January 9, 2009. happiness, a big “environmental footprint” is an discussing cloth versus disposable diapers: “From enormous positive. This is why people in and the earth’s point of view, it’s not all that important As environmentalism continues are striving to increase theirs: to build better which kind of diapers you use. The important deci- to grow in prominence, more roads, more cars and computers, new factories and sion was having the baby.” and more of us are trying to power plants and hospitals. The next time you trustingly adopt a “green live a “greener” lifestyle. But But for environmentalism, the size of your solution” like fluorescent lights, cloth diapers or the more “eco-friendly” you “footprint” is the measure of your guilt. Nature, wind farms, only to be puzzled when met with try to become, likely the more you find yourself according to green philosophy, is something to be still further condemnation and calls for even more confused and frustrated by the green message. left alone—to be preserved untouched by human sacrifices, remember what counts as a final solution Have you tried giving up your bright and activity. Their notion of an “environmental foot- for these ideologues. cheery incandescent light bulbs to save energy— print” is intended as a measure of how much you The only rational response to such a philosophy only to learn that their gloomy-but-efficient com- “disturb” nature, with disturbing nature viewed as a is to challenge it at its core. We must acknowledge pact fluorescent replacements contain mercury? sin requiring atonement. Just as the Christian con- that it is the essence of human survival to reshape Perhaps you’ve tried to free up space in landfills by cept of original sin conveys the message that human nature for our own benefit, and that far from being foregoing the ease and convenience of disposable beings are stained with evil simply for having been a sin, it is our highest virtue. Don’t be fooled by the diapers—only to be criticized for the huge quanti- born, the green concept of an “environmental foot- cries that industrial civilization is “unsustainable.” ties of energy and water consumed in laundering print” implies that you should feel guilty for your This cry dates to at least the 19th century, but is those nasty cloth diapers. Even voicing support very existence. belied by the facts. Since the Industrial Revolution, for renewable energy no longer seems to be green It should hardly be any surprise, then, that noth- population and life expectancy, to say nothing of the enough, as angry environmentalists protest the ing you do to try to lighten your “footprint” will enjoyment of life, have steadily grown. development of “pristine lands” for wind farms and ever be deemed satisfactory. So long as you are still It is time to recognize environmentalism as a solar power plants. pursuing life-sustaining activities, whatever you do philosophy of guilt and sacrifice—and to reject it Why is it that no matter what sacrifices you to reduce your impact on nature in one respect (e.g., in favor of a philosophy that proudly upholds the make to try to reduce your “environmental foot- cloth diapers) will simply lead to other impacts in value of human life. print,” it never seems to be enough? other respects (e.g., water use)—like some perverse Well, consider why it is that you have an “envi- game of green whack-a-mole—and will be attacked ronmental footprint” in the first place. Everything and condemned by greens outraged at whatever ARI at Global Warming we do to sustain our lives has an impact on nature. “footprint” remains. So long as you still have some Every value we create to advance our well-being— “footprint,” further penance is required; so long as Conference every ounce of food we grow, every structure we you are still alive, no degree of sacrifice can erase RI is a cosponsor of the Heartland Institute’s build, every iPhone we manufacture—is produced your guilt. second annual International Conference on by extracting raw materials and reshaping them The only way to leave no “footprint” would be A Climate Change, which will take place in New to serve our needs. Every good thing in our lives to die—a conclusion that is not lost on many green York City, March 8–10. ARI’s executive director and ARI fellow Keith Lockitch are Objectivist Summer Conference material—her fiction and her nonfiction. I also have among the many scheduled to speak at this year’s several people who have read Dr. ’s conference, the title of which is “Global Warming: 2009 Preview, continued from page 1 book Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, Was It Ever Really a Crisis?” They will join more earning profit. We discuss the importance of ethics and have gone through the recorded lectures by than seventy distinguished scientists specializing in within the business and go through an overview of Dr. Peikoff that are offered through the program. climate issues, as well as economists, legal experts ethical systems. We then proceed to investigate the It’s been really gratifying to see the number of and other environmental experts. meaning of leadership. We illustrate how the core people who have embraced Objectivism with that “The Heartland conference brings together a virtues of Objectivism make leadership possible by kind of enthusiasm. large number of people fighting global warming enabling an individual to judge world events and Impact: What do you see as the greatest chal- alarmism,” said Dr. Lockitch. “It will be attended other actions, and we demonstrate how to apply lenge to business in America today? by some highly accomplished scientists as well as the virtues in a way that will be respected by those WF: As I see it, today we have corporations prominent figures in other fields. This is a great who follow a leader. not acting like capitalists, putting their hand out opportunity for us to interact with individuals who Then we get into the economic and moral looking for bailouts or other forms of govern- share our basic position on this issue and to present foundations of capitalism. We show how capital- ment aid. And we have politicians continuing to our perspective on it to a receptive, non-Objectivist ism is really driven by the Objectivist virtues, and apply an economic foundation that serves them in audience. My recent panel events at various how we are a business defined by capitalism. We gaining power: Keynesian economics. They apply campuses around the country with Professor Wil- go through the various elements of economics. it even though it’s been evidenced over history lie Soon [of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for We look at corporate governance and international that it’s a failure in responding to these kinds of Astrophysics] came out of last year’s Heartland trade, and discuss how the virtues are applied in economic conditions. conference, which I was able to attend thanks to a all facets of business. We teach that the first thing So we have parties on both sides taking the donor sponsor. we do is get the facts, and then by good analytical wrong actions, and I think the biggest challenge “Though we don’t agree on every issue with skills we determine what will be our next strategy for companies—and Objectivists within them— all the groups who will be represented at the con- or tactic on the basis of the facts. is having confidence that the laws of economics ference, hopefully we can persuade some of them Impact: How do your employees take to the will prevail; that those who abide by the laws of to think about the issues in a more fundamental presentation of rational egoism as a virtue? I imag- economics will be the winners in the long run. The way. Many of the attendees already know that the ine that’s the first time most of them hear that. current economic environment is very dynamic, but science behind global warming is flawed. What we WF: Generally it is the first time they hear those who apply Objectivist principles will be bet- can show them is that the philosophy behind the it. But if you present it clearly and in the proper ter prepared for analyzing and responding to those green ideology is bankrupt as well—and why. order, pretty soon they see the reasoning behind it dynamic changes. “Ayn Rand once wrote, ‘the uncontested absur- and why that makes sense. Occasionally there are I wouldn’t say that I have a bleak view, but I dities of today are the accepted slogans of tomor- individuals that are perhaps troubled by the idea, think it’s likely going to take some time. The cur- row.’ [“The Cashing-In: The Student ‘Rebellion’” in but I would say the vast majority of our employees rent actions are likely to prolong the problem and Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal] Environmentalism understand that rational egoism is a virtue. And the to worsen them rather than make them better. is a perfect example of that, as she pointed out more same holds for the virtues of pride and productive- Impact: I’ve heard this is your first summer than thirty-five years ago. Many in the sixties and ness and the idea that productive achievement is conference. What are you most looking forward to? seventies dismissed the ‘ecology movement’—the the noblest of our own activities. WF: I think it will be a very positive environ- forerunner of today’s environmentalism—as an It’s been a rewarding experience to see people ment to attend. You don’t often get an opportunity absurdity but had no fundamental ideas with which go into the class who have never really thought to meet that many individuals in one location who to contest it. Now, everything from our toothpaste to about philosophy, and then to see them come out of are of the same mind on something so important our bombs is expected to be ‘green.’ the class with a very different perspective. Several as their basic philosophy of life. I’m really looking “As I indicate in my recent op-ed ‘No “Foot- of them have gone on to read a lot of Ayn Rand’s forward to it. print,” No Life,’ the ideology of the environmen- talists cloaks a hatred of man and a philosophy of sacrifice beneath the legitimate desires to improve one’s surroundings and enjoy nature. More people Objectivist Summer Conference 2009 Information need to understand how to unpack that package- deal. Presenting our view at conferences like Heart- bjectivist Summer Conference 2009 will take place July 3–11 in Boston. An land is crucial to that.” early registration discount will be available until March 31. For conference O The Heartland conference is expected to draw TM information and registration, visit www.objectivistconferences.com/ocon2009. over a thousand attendees. For more information, visit www.aynrand.org/events_other. 3 Deadline Approaches for Clemson Student Conference on Capitalism

oung capitalists take note: applications to “The idea that capitalism is moral is still a on Clemson’s South Carolina campus, May 29 Yattend this summer’s Clemson Institute for minority viewpoint on college campuses,” said to May 31, with students arriving May 28 and the Study of Capitalism student conference are Dr. Ghate. “The Clemson conference is a rare departing June 1. Participation in the conference due March 5. The conference, now in its third opportunity for students to develop an under- is limited to accepted students only, all of whom year, is titled “Ayn Rand’s and standing of this idea. Additionally, those who will receive full scholarships covering housing, the Moral Foundations of Capitalism.” attend will be able to network with other students meals and up to $500 in travel expenses. More Experienced faculty will use Ayn Rand’s novel and educators who share this interest. The result information is available at business.clemson to guide students through the ethics, history and is that the discussion of the ethics of capitalism .edu/bbtcenter/cci/conferences.html. economics of capitalism. One of those instructors will continue long after the conference ends.” will be ARI senior fellow . The conference’s main event will take place Added Bonus for ARI Interns

n addition to benefits such as stipends, indi- I vidualized study programs and the opportunity to work with ARI intellectuals on a daily basis, all ARI interns will now receive automatic admit- tance into the Clemson student conference. More information on the ARI internship program is available at www.aynrand.org/internships.

Dr. Onkar Ghate teaching at last year’s Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism student conference Impact is published monthly by the Ayn Rand® Institute (ARI) and is complimentary to current donors who contribute $35 or more per year. For information on how you can support ARI and to learn about our projects, please visit our Web site: www.aynrand.org. Atlantis Distribution (by having that amount sent to Legacy®, the Institute’s planned giving program, and related indicia Tax-Free IRA Gifts to ARI ARI) may want to consider using other assets are registered trademarks. The Ayn Rand Archives is a special for their ARI support in 2009. collection of the . Objectivist Conferences (OCON) and the Ayn Rand Bookstore are owned by Second Renaissance, s previously announced in Impact, tax- However, there may still be good reasons Inc., which is operated by the Ayn Rand Institute. Second free charitable transfers from Individual for donors to make distributions of IRA funds to Renaissance, Inc., and the Ayn Rand Institute do not necessarily A endorse the content of the lectures and courses offered. All photos Retirement Accounts are possible once again ARI while they can do so without having to pay of Ayn Rand are used by permission of the Estate of Ayn Rand. for donors aged 70.5 and older. tax on such distributions. Consult your financial Purchases from the Ayn Rand Bookstore do not qualify as A new development that potentially affects adviser about the most tax-efficient way for you tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. Editors: Don Watkins, Jeff Scialabba this strategy is Congress’s action in December to contribute to the Institute. Editorial Advisers: Dr. Yaron Brook, Mark Chapman, Debi Ghate, (in the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery For detailed information on this opportunity Anu Seppala, Lin Zinser Designer: Simon Federman Act of 2008) to waive mandatory distributions to save taxes while supporting the Institute in Printing: David Antonacci Copy Editor: Donna Montrezza from retirement plans for 2009. Because of 2009, in an easy-to-read Q&A format, visit Headquarters: 2121 Alton Parkway, Suite 250 this, donors whose motivation for making IRA www.aynrand.org/IRA. You may also contact Irvine, CA 92606-4926 Phone: 949-222-6550 Fax: 949-222-6558 © The Ayn Rand Institute 2009. All rights reserved. Not to be gifts in past years was to avoid the taxable Gift & Estate Planning Manager Kathy Cross reproduced without permission. income generated by their Required Minimum at 732-242-9408 or [email protected].

TM

books/audio/videos . . . for the rational mind TM

SPOTLIGHT ON THE BOOKSTORE Rome’s Punic Wars: Three Victories and Their Lessons Audio course by John Lewis rom 262 BC through 146 BC Rome Summer Conference 2008, Dr. John Lewis Ffought three major wars with Carthage. discusses the cultural and political climate These, the first world-scale wars in the West, behind the wars and argues that a rational ended in different kinds of victories: the first political philosophy is the only foundation for in an incomplete decision followed by a new lasting peace. attack; the second in a proper victory that To purchase these or any of the hundreds lasted two generations; the third in the unjust of titles available at the Ayn Rand Bookstore, and unnecessary destruction of Carthage. visit www.aynrandbookstore.com or call In this riveting course from Objectivist 1-800-729-6149.

the newsletter for the donor and will save Impact Online ARI $30 annually on printing and mail- ing costs. The online version of Impact mpact is now available online at www will occasionally include supplementary I.aynrand.org/impact. Though the print material not available in the print edition. edition remains available with a $35 mini- To opt out of receiving paper versions of mum annual contribution to ARI, donors Impact, please see instructions in the lower- may opt instead to receive an e-mail noti- right-hand corner of the enclosed envelope fication when Impact is posted to the ARI (illustrated below), or e-mail your request to Web site. This will ensure earlier arrival of [email protected].

4 New Video by Yaron Brook on www.aynrand.org The Objectivist Academic Center Adviser Program isitors to www in Action, Part 2 V.aynrand.org will now find an introductory ast month Impact video by ARI executive reported on the director Yaron Brook. L OAC Adviser pro- The three-part overview gram, which pairs covers Ayn Rand’s OAC students and life and novels, the established Objec- importance of philosophy tivist intellectuals. The focus of that article was and the principal ideas a student/adviser pair in academia. This month, of Objectivism, and the Impact highlights a student/adviser pair from the mission and programs professional world. of ARI. It is an excellent Rebecca Knapp is an OAC graduate stu- starting point for new dent and third-year law student at UCLA, set to readers beginning to graduate this coming May. For the past year she explore Ayn Rand’s ideas, has been receiving professional and intellectual and will be of value to guidance from ARI’s Thomas Bowden, an Institute anyone interested in analyst and OAC student himself specializing in learning about ARI’s legal issues. efforts to promote them. “As a lawyer who practiced for twenty years in a Baltimore civil litigation firm,” said Mr. Bowden, “I know something about how a law career pro- gresses, including its pitfalls and rewards. As a for- mer law school instructor—legal analysis, research, and writing—and longtime litigator, I can help Rebecca with the practical skills that make for suc- Essay Contest Questions cess in a legal career. And as an Objectivist, I can assist her in applying Ayn Rand’s ideas to the many Now Available issues at the intersection of law and philosophy.” According to Ms. Knapp, she has benefitted he questions for ARI’s 2009 essay con- from that expertise from day one. “Our first meet- Ttests are now online at www.aynrand ing was fantastic. Tom asked me questions about .org/contest. Each year the Institute sponsors what I wanted to do, what my strengths and weak- essay contests based ’s fiction nesses were and what my current plans were. We for eighth-grade students, high school stu- talked for several hours, and by the end of it I had a dents and college students. really clear picture in my head of what I wanted to Eighth-, ninth- and tenth-graders are do professionally for the next decade! We mapped eligible to participate in the Anthem essay out several intellectual projects for me to pursue, contest ($2,000 first prize). Eligibility for the and I’ve been pursuing them ever since.” Fountainhead contest ($10,000 first prize) Mr. Bowden further remarked on the range is limited to high school juniors and seniors. of advice he has provided. “I’ve counseled High school seniors and college students Rebecca on career choices such as summer oppor- at any level may participate in the Atlas tunities and choosing a law firm, and on issues Shrugged essay contest ($10,000 first prize). of personal job satisfaction. I’ve also monitored Submission deadlines: Anthem essays are her progress on a long-term project devoted to due March 20, 2009; Fountainhead essays understanding and assessing the Federalist Papers. are due April 25, 2009; and Atlas Shrugged The whole idea is to help Rebecca achieve her essays are due September 17, 2009. own goal of combining the private practice of law with her broader intellectual interests in applying Objectivism to the philosophy of law. Moreover, Poster produced by Penguin USA for the ARI essay contests this careful study in a significant area of political theory may result in public writing and speaking opportunities for Rebecca.” Added Ms. Knapp, “One of the most helpful things about having Tom as an adviser is that he ARI’s Speaks About Winning the Unwinnable War did exactly what I plan on doing. He practiced law for quite awhile, and now has changed careers to early eight years after Unfortunately the approach to foreign policy become an intellectual. I am thrilled to have access N9/11 and in the shadow that is now gaining influence in Washington— to that resource, particularly given how busy he is of two protracted U.S. military so-called realism—is no better. This non- with a million other things. I’d like to give a huge campaigns in the Middle East, judgmental, supposedly practical approach is ‘thank you’ to Tom, the OAC and ARI’s donors for the enemy is not only unde- precisely what helped unleash the enemy prior making the advising program possible!” feated but emboldened and to 9/11.” OAC dean Onkar Ghate commented on the resurgent. What went wrong— The message of the essays in this thematic value of the program in developing what Ayn Rand and, more important, what collection is that only by radically re-thinking described as the New Intellectuals. “One of the should we do going forward? our foreign policy in the Middle East can we OAC’s goals is to help Objectivist intellectuals suc- These questions are the subject of Win- achieve victory over the enemy that attacked ceed in their chosen fields, each of which presents ning the Unwinnable War, a forthcoming us on 9/11. “We need a new moral foundation its own challenges. Young professionals need to collection of essays edited by Elan Journo, for our Middle East policy,” said Mr. Journo. maintain morale and enthusiasm in the face of an ARI fellow specializing in foreign policy. “That new starting point for U.S. policy is the sometimes daunting cultural obstacles. The mentor- The book shows how dominant ideas in moral ideal championed by Ayn Rand: ratio- ing program provides a safe haven for promising U.S. policy led to 9/11 and then crippled our nal self-interest. Implementing this approach Objectivists who might otherwise struggle alone to response in the Middle East, and makes the entails objectively defining our national chart their career paths.” case for an unsettling conclusion: By subordi- interest as protecting the lives and freedom of Mr. Bowden’s concluding statements attest to nating military victory to perverse, allegedly Americans—and then taking principled action the program’s importance. “I can personally testify moral constraints, Washington’s policy has to safeguard Americans. This book lays out the to the value of the program for the student. Before undermined our national security. necessary steps for achieving victory and for I became an OAC adviser I was, and still am, an “Owing to the significant influence of securing America’s long-range interests in the OAC student and advisee myself. That support has Just War Theory and ,” said volatile Middle East.” been crucial to my development as an ARI Intellec- Mr. Journo, “the Bush administration con- ARI’s executive director Yaron Brook and tual. By supporting the OAC, donors improve the sciously put the imperative of shielding civil- analyst Alex Epstein are contributing authors chances that tomorrow’s intellectuals will flourish ians and bringing them elections above the to Winning the Unwinnable War. The antici- in whatever career they choose. In the end we all goal of eliminating real threats to our security. pated date of publication by Lexington Books stand to benefit from their successes.” Consequently this policy left our enemies is autumn 2009. Look to Impact for updates on For more information on the OAC, visit www stronger, and America weaker, than before. the collection’s release. .aynrand.org/academic. 5 Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged: Anthem a Hit Among Eighth-Grade Teachers

Celebrating the Best Within Us he Free Books for Teachers program n March 4, 2009, the University of Texas at Austin will host a public Twas extended this year to eighth- Osymposium offering contemporary perspectives on Ayn Rand’s Atlas grade classrooms and the Anthem essay Shrugged. The event will focus on the novel as philosophy and as litera- contest was opened to eighth-graders. ture, and will feature talks by ARI’s Onkar Ghate and , as well Since the program expansions were as by Shoshana Milgram and Allan Gotthelf. announced, middle-school teachers have The free event is sponsored by the Anthem Fellowship for the Study of been taking advantage of these opportu- Objectivism and the BB&T Chair for the Study of Objectivism. All ses- nities in droves. sions will include question periods, and an open reception with the speak- “I am very excited at this opportu- ers will be held immediately afterward. nity to teach Anthem in the classroom The symposium is open to all and will take place 4–6:30 p.m. in the through your generous offer,” said ACES Auditorium (ACES 2.302). For detailed information, visit www one eighth-grade teacher from Aurora, .UTBBTChairObjectivism.com or e-mail [email protected]. Illinois. “I am a huge fan of Ayn Rand As a complement to the symposium, ARI and the UT Objectivist Soci- and her work, and I see an enormous ety are planning a screening of the Academy Award-nominated documen- benefit that our students could take tary Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life, for which Mr. Britting served as associate away from the plot of this story, its producer and composer. For screening details, please contact Matthew theme and message. Morgen at [email protected]. “We are currently reformatting our curriculum at our school in an attempt to further prepare our eighth-graders for the faster pace and higher-level expectations that they will be faced with in high school. The teaching of this text and the explorations of Ayn Rand as an author and visionary will definitely be highly effective tools and lessons to help us meet our objectives in this endeavor, as well as open our students’ minds to new authors and ideas. “I feel that with the teaching of Anthem, our students will be challenged to view their world in a new way.” All classrooms receiving Anthem are being sent a new student edition of the novelette. The student edition does not include the original 1938 version of the novelette with Ayn Rand’s handwritten changes. This lowers production and distribution costs and makes the book more accessible to young readers. In addition, the student edition of Anthem contains an insert card directing readers to www.aynrandintro.com, a site specifically designed to introduce students to Ayn Rand and her ideas. The insert also alerts stu- dents to the Ayn Rand Institute and its essay contests. Design by Nadia Caffesse for the Atlas Shrugged symposium Web page For more information, visit www.aynrand.org/education_classroom_books.

Teachers Respond to Free Books Program

he Ayn Rand Institute’s Free Books for “Thanks! Please keep this amazing program are totally applicable to the direction that TTeachers program provides free Ayn Rand going! Over the past seven years I have intro- our society seems to be moving in. Students novels to middle-school, high school and college duced over one thousand students to the work enjoy reading the book and discussing how it classrooms. Now in its seventh year, the highly of Ayn Rand through the use of these books. . . . is applicable to their lives, today. Once again, popular program has distributed almost 1.4 mil- I know it has helped to produce some excep- thank you for all that you do in providing an lion books to 30,000 teachers. In addition, the tional debaters and influenced the writings of invaluable service to our students.” program offers teaching guidance and classroom countless students. THANK YOU! —Rosemont, PA resources, such as lesson plans, free of charge. —Hope Mills, NC The response from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive. With the recent “Thank you so much for the copies of Anthem expansion of the program to eigth-grade “I’m sure that you hear it all the time; how- and . Our students will classrooms, demand for Ayn Rand’s novels ever, I must tell you that my students cannot greatly benefit from the instruction of Ayn is exceptionally high this year. (See related stop talking about Anthem. In fact, one student Rand’s contributions to World literature, and article above, right.) Impact is pleased to read it seven times! We have had some fasci- her enduring message of the triumph of the reproduce some recent comments from nating group discussions.” individual against all restrictive systems. In teachers participating in the program. — Cocoa, FL an age of repetitive sound and thought, it is certainly a privilege to have Ayn Rand’s books in America’s classrooms.” “The students LOVE The “I can’t thank you —Laurel, MS Fountainhead and often enough!! I have a num- use it on the AP exam.” ber of my kids ‘hooked’ —Holland Patent, NY on Anthem, a few on I am so excited to see a novel that I can teach The Fountainhead, and that breaks the mold from the typical novels we two on Atlas Shrugged. I utilize. This is something I feel strongly about. . . . “In a school district have to tell you, my hus- teaching kids to think for themselves. strapped for cash, band made me read Atlas —Aledo, TX the books are a great Shrugged thirty years help. And let me not ago, and it is, by far, my fail to mention that the very favorite book of all. I am so excited about being able to teach kids love the storytelling I have ‘read through’ two Anthem in my classroom. Ayn Rand has been ability of the author.” paperbacks, and two hard copies. I have not one of my favorite authors since university, —Kingston Springs, TN yet exhausted all that is in that book. You can’t some 30 years ago. Unfortunately, with imagine how thrilled I am to have so many budget cuts I am unable to purchase a lit set of my students as excited as I am about these for my Honors’ class this year. Thanks for this “My students are currently reading Anthem books. Again, many thanks.” opportunity! in literature groups and seem to really enjoy —Auburn, ME —Dewey, AZ the text. It’s easy to read and supports excel- lent classroom discussions. Aside from To Kill a Mockingbird, Anthem is one of the most “I am so appreciative of the Institute’s gener- popular books in my class library. The only osity and concern for education. I have been problem that I’m having is that my copies are using the book for the past five years and will Information about the Free Books program quickly falling apart from so much use.” continue to do so in the future. I truly believe and teacher resources can be found at www —Davidsville, PA that the lessons learned from reading the book .aynrand.org/education_classroom_books.

6