Comments on: Loving the Businessman

By: The White Man\'s Bourbon

The White Man\'s Bourbon — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 01:43:47 +0000

Ever notice that George’s best friends were named Bert and Ernie? Sunny Day!!

By: David

David — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:55:39 +0000

The sad thing about novels like this is how much they affect young people with impressionable minds. I remember reading it when I was 18 – if there had been a teaparty then, I would have joined it. At my age now (past middle age), I think the objectivism or whatever it is called, is evil. God may love Ayn Rand, but I don’t think he is that pleased with her – you can use many of Jesus’s saying to refute her views.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 22:04:32 +0000

While it not the exemplary writing, I think the book is important enough that it should be read. It’s impact on our culture outweighs the recognition it gets in higher eduction. I think you could get through the first part and get the gist. Parts II and III are unnecessary.

What I like about the book is the description of satisfaction obtained from building and running a profitable business. What many don’t realize is, most do it for the satisfaction and not for the money. Money is merely a way to keep score of how your doing.

By: Bill I

Bill I — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 21:58:40 +0000

Galt, not Gault

By: Brandon

Brandon — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:35:54 +0000

I read Atlas Shrugged last summer, and though I would agree with Ayn Rand politically, the poorly written tome was pedantic and unrealistic.

By: Michael PS

Michael PS — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:02:39 +0000

It is curious how business has always been considered morally disreputable.

Certainly, when I was at an English boarding school, 50 years ago, respectable careers were the armed services, the “learned professions” (the Church, law, medicine, teaching), politics and the Civil Service.

Farming (providing it was your own land) was best of all.

“Something in the City” (bankers and stockbrokers) were rather suspect.

“His people made their money in a low way,” meant that they were “in trade.”

Entertainment and the arts were beyond the pale.

This, from people who detested socialism, or “bolshies,” as they would have called them.

By: howeecarr

howeecarr — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:17:23 +0000

I’m not sure which was more poorly written or difficult to read- Atlas Shrugged, or Reynolds’ piece above.

“This is pretty appealing to anyone who living in the parts of American culture that sniff at business builders.”
To anyone who living in the parts of… ???
Huh?!

When one criticizes the writing of others one should endeavor to make sure that theirs is beyond reproach. Something for you to consider, John.

By: Truth Unites... and Divides

Truth Unites... and Divides — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:28:45 +0000

“There are few humbugs more delicious than fierce critics of American modern culture sitting in endowed chairs made possible by modern American culture. In Christian colleges, there is often the addition of generational theft as contemporary scholars use funds given by founders of a college to teach the very ideas that caused the founders to found!

I wait in hope for the scholar who tells a business leader: “We are going to advocate policies directly opposed to the ones you believe. Give us your filthy money and let the purification begin.”

Great essay, JMR!! The two excerpts above had me chuckling.