tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post1428855975130692702..comments2023-08-26T20:46:05.406+05:30Comments on Neglected Serendipity: Atlas' bugged... keep it short!Ketanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-14744885282581517472009-09-19T03:04:51.292+05:302009-09-19T03:04:51.292+05:30...But of course, the novel is too big. I think mo......But of course, the novel is too big. I think more than twice the size of FH.<br /><br />Yes, one of the blogs I follow is also named after that line. But I don't enjoy that blog. That blogger (according to me), is another of those readers who couldn't understand the essence of Ayn Rand's writings. Ironically, I feel, very few people's interpretations of her novel coincide with mine (the correct one! ;) ). I'd have liked to remove <b>many</b> blogs from my list, but unfortunately, I can't do that through my cell phone. :(<br /><br />Most of the above comments are a part of conversation I had with another blogger--Newbie Mommy (also on my favorite bloggers' list)--not very different from your forum.<br /><br />But I've deleted many of her comments on her request, as they partly dealt with personal issues of her life. In one of the comments I've stated that these contain around 30 percent of what I know about myself, world and people. So, I'd like you to read them, and maybe, you can take your sweet revenge by eavesdropping on my comments. But no guarantee, they'd be as interesting as your forum!<br /><br />You may do the post on suicide gun, but it won't be in keeping with the nonviolent nature of your posts on the whole.<br /><br />TC.Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-7278939770371215492009-09-19T03:04:10.341+05:302009-09-19T03:04:10.341+05:30Stupidosaur,
Well, you're right about the fir...<b>Stupidosaur,</b><br /><br />Well, you're right about the first part. The gun was indeed made by someone like Keating. But, an efficient gun need not require someone as passionate about their work as Roark!<br /><br />Well, if you remember the plot correctly, Waynand had stood before the mirror, thinking of commiting suicide, but when he realized, he didn't fear death, he decided against dying. For he considered such a death as tame one. He probably didn't fear dying because he did not want anything extra from his life. All this was before he'd met Dominique.<br /><br />I've carried the plot forward from thereon. He loses Dominique as well as Roark, and realizes he'd badly loved her. So now he has a purpose to life, and his original predicament of commiting suicide is no more valid! (I know what a foolish paradox, but I was parodysing Ayn Rand! :P)<br /><br />Rest all you anyway did understand.<br /><br />I liked your idea of suicide-gun. And you know your description of how a person would think most clearly pressing the trigger the critical<i>th</i> time was really spine-chilling.<br /><br />If I do open once, I might name my resort--<i>'Suicide'</i>. Imagine the ironic truth of its plain sounding caption--"The best resort for resting your tired soul!"<br /><br />Okay, I know this piece of humor is sounding forced, but I enjoyed typing it! ;)<br /><br />Your trigger analogy also reminded me of the Muslim concept of <i>talaaq, talaaq, talaaq!</i> What I'd come to know is that the husband is supposed to 'give' one talaaq each per month, and in between actually try to resolve the issues and make out if he definitely needs complete divorce. But then, he might say that in quick succession as well, just like pulling the trigger in quick succession.<br /><br />That line of John Galt is from <i>Atlas Shrugged</i> (as you know). It's difficult to determine it's exact meaning. But my rough interpretation was that, the line was spoken when people felt helpless and wondered how their situation was becoming worse and they were clueless of the causes.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Galt#.22Who_is_John_Galt.3F.22" rel="nofollow"><b>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Galt#.22Who_is_John_Galt.3F.22</b></a><br /><br />I'd liked Atlas Shrugged more than FH; you too may read it. Though, at times, it feels like she'd inundated the story with too many superheroes--like justice league or fantastic four....Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-63376725753881187062009-09-18T18:53:46.254+05:302009-09-18T18:53:46.254+05:30I guess I will put up something based on my commen...I guess I will put up something based on my comment above on my blog. Its an interesting invention then, 'suicide gun'!<br /><br />BTW there were too many comments above. Didn't read after first 10 or so. Did I miss out anything significant?Stupidosaurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440677810342540223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-40103469346268579612009-09-18T18:50:31.099+05:302009-09-18T18:50:31.099+05:30Lol! Wynand can't commit suicide because of in...Lol! Wynand can't commit suicide because of incompetent gun makers! Good plot!<br /><br />That could be (I think this is what you are hinting at) because they were like Keating, not Roark!<br /><br />But again it could mean it was made by Roarkish person forced to make 'standard gun', but that fellow decided to experiment, or maybe hated the mundane routine so much that could not concentrate!<br /><br />Or maybe it was a genuine modern 'Suicide Gun' made by a very competent and intelligent gun maker. The specialty of suicide gun is that it actually shoots only when you pull the trigger nth time. Bit like those olden day 'extra secure' locks that open completely only after you rotate the key 10-15 times. This gives the person n chances to intensely reflect whether suicide is really the only resort (hey wow! resort! sounds like fun! bad joke). In fact the intensity would be at its peaks right when pulling the trigger! So the thought process would be the most correct, most essential.<br /><br />But then, wouldn't Wynand know? It was he who knowingly bought or ordered his special 'suicide gun' right?<br /><br />The secret is this: The genius who invented 'suicide gun' also marketed it very wisely, so that the purpose of 'Suicide Gun' is actually served. If the person knows that gun kills only the fifth time, the intensity of thought when pulling trigger would not be that high or sincere first 4 times. (Although the very action of pulling the trigger, the associated time-stop silence, and the sinister click afterwards, would definitely make it more intense than regular armchair thought intensity). And the thought when pulling trigger 5th time, though most intense, would be too late if the thought is 'Don't!', just after doing.<br /><br />So the inventor markets it with one number less than actual! If it kills at the fifth time, he says it kills at fourth. If it kills at fourth, he says it kills at third and so on. So at the last pull (as marketed), the user would be really really thinking death is gonna happen, and will get a most honest perspective whether its wanted or not. If just microseconds after pulling trigger person wishes to live, it will be granted! Of course if the person really wants to die, will pull trigger once again without bothering of the count!<br /><br />Now, Wynand being Wynand, decided to make the usual mockery of this great inventor too. What other horrible things he did, we do not know. But what we do know is that he started by ordering a custom made 'suicide gun' that 'kills at first attempt', thus defeating the whole purpose (or so he thought) (no standard 'kill at first' model was available, as you can understand. But as we all know now, a 'suicide gun' that officially 'kills at first attempt' actually kills at the second! So the joke was on Wynand!<br /><br />And yes, we all would expect the old Keating (Keating of older age, not Keating of older times. Have you ever wondered at such confusion? :) ) wanting to kill Toohey and/or Wynand. So thats understandable in the story.<br /><br />Lekin yeh John Galt kahan se aaya beech mein? I mean end mein?<br /><br />(I know he is character of other famous Ayn Rand book. Would I understand the context if I read it?) Or probably you said it just for some slightly jocular effect (which it did have, for me!)? I know 'Who is John Galt?" could be some standard phrase of the book I am still not reading, with a shrug. One blogger has even named her blog 'Who is John Galt'. Or is it no standard sentence of the book and you took it from that person's blog? (you blog hop(ped) a lot I guess?)Stupidosaurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440677810342540223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-82289973758209308502009-06-10T18:05:03.254+05:302009-06-10T18:05:03.254+05:30Oorja,
'Mr. Popular'? Now what was that? ...Oorja,<br /><br />'Mr. Popular'? Now what was that? That was an even bigger 'Dhishkaon' than the one you actually typed out. If that was in reference to the number of comments, then most of them are by me and way off mark.<br /><br />This 55er. though takes inspiration from 'The Fountainhead' and not 'Atlas Shrugged'! :(<br /><br />TC.Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-26914579310927302122009-06-10T14:47:30.948+05:302009-06-10T14:47:30.948+05:30ok Mr. Popular.. i have downloaded the link you ga...ok Mr. Popular.. i have downloaded the link you gaveof 'Atlas Shrugged',and started reading... not done yet.. will let you know as soon as i finish.<br /><br />'Dhishkaon' :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-49699811642310185172009-06-02T13:05:45.581+05:302009-06-02T13:05:45.581+05:30*I don't subscribe to all her views. Sorry for tha...*I don't subscribe to <B>all</B> her views. Sorry for that typo :)Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-79597052262339267692009-06-02T13:03:32.976+05:302009-06-02T13:03:32.976+05:30Hi SGD!
I'd understood that you've read those two...Hi SGD!<br /><br />I'd understood that you've read those two novels, as they were college-time favorites.<br /><br />Have you by any chance read 'The Acts of Faith' by Eric Segal? If you've, how did you find it?<br /><br />I somehow don't look at Ayn Rand's two novels only as egoism v/s altruism. She'd also expounded al least one another intricate concept--why we love who we love. Ayn Rand's novel have hardly had any influence on my life! I used to think quite like that even before reading them. Just that she helped me clarify those concepts in my mind, the bases behind them.<br /><br />As I told you, I more than liking her philosophy was already in agreement with her. What I liked about her novels was the writing style, the absolute lack of anything merely cosmetic and superfluous in terms of narration. Amazing lines! Amazing characters--my favorite being Francisco d' Anconia and Gail Waynand--though I don't think I'll ever be able to be like them. That's one discomforting thing about her novels, though. The characters keep on reminding me how far from perfect am I. I don't subscribe to her views. I'd do a post on that one of these days.<br /><br />I hardly find time to read nowadays. Will definitely try to read her play, and some other things, too. Can I look upto you for recommendations?<br /><br />TC.Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-85678755037943267072009-06-02T10:21:24.951+05:302009-06-02T10:21:24.951+05:30Your parody is inspiring me to re-read the origina...Your parody is inspiring me to <B>re-read</B> the original...read them all a long long time ago!<br />Have you read her play "Night of January 16th"...an awesome piece of work! And not long like AS & FH<br /><br />Regarding wanting to ever read other stuff....You will, you will ..<br />There will come a time you'll grow out of the humanitarian Vs egoism phase of Ayn Rand....take it from me ... ;)))Sharmistha Guhahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11313702624756588109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-88495166947611720312009-05-31T04:36:14.190+05:302009-05-31T04:36:14.190+05:30Hi perception!
Welcome to the blog, and thanks! T...Hi perception!<br /><br />Welcome to the blog, and thanks! Though I believe, you could call this piece engaging only because I wrapped it up within 55 words, otherwise there's another piece of fiction that's 200 times that length ;)<br /><br />Take care.Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-44847327002233487532009-05-31T01:02:59.961+05:302009-05-31T01:02:59.961+05:30Quality work :)Engaging and interesting!Quality work :)Engaging and interesting!Perceptionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920083979235188445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-16681902846305153472009-05-31T00:23:20.581+05:302009-05-31T00:23:20.581+05:30Thanks Alpes!
Glad you liked it.
TC.Thanks Alpes!<br /><br />Glad you liked it.<br /><br />TC.Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-66014205455638582392009-05-30T23:46:15.786+05:302009-05-30T23:46:15.786+05:30hahahahahhaa
[DISHKAON]
now ur talkin...hahahahahhaa<br />[DISHKAON]<br /><br /><br />now ur talkin...alpezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08956579702761580787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-63962994804272261722009-05-30T01:07:38.757+05:302009-05-30T01:07:38.757+05:30Thanks, Gigi, and welcome to the blog!Thanks, Gigi, and welcome to the blog!Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-64564810832143854502009-05-30T00:40:56.319+05:302009-05-30T00:40:56.319+05:30Nice blog.Nice blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-61889791982616657512009-05-29T19:01:47.329+05:302009-05-29T19:01:47.329+05:30Am into a lecture.Am into a lecture.Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-41599117702923716472009-05-29T18:33:22.561+05:302009-05-29T18:33:22.561+05:30It's silly but I wonder since I haven't heard from...It's silly but I wonder since I haven't heard from you. Hope all is well and your day is the best-est!<br /><br />Be good :)<br />~BMaterial Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00690023129154658422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-27856202455566627822009-05-29T11:42:23.153+05:302009-05-29T11:42:23.153+05:30Odd to be in a position where I am on the receivin...Odd to be in a position where I am on the receiving end of 'do something for someone who can do absolutely nothing for you in return.'<br /><br />Be well, Ketan.<br /><br />(Smash it, I got into a fit of giggles, and generally feel much better. You're the best-est :))<br /><br />~BMaterial Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00690023129154658422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-26687065354134519122009-05-29T11:29:33.491+05:302009-05-29T11:29:33.491+05:30Oh, never mind. I use my 'thank you's' exactly the...Oh, never mind. I use my 'thank you's' exactly the way you do.<br /><br />Pleased that something I did helped you feel better.<br /><br />To take off from you, have a smashin' day or if that doesn't work, just smash it ;)<br /><br />TC.Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-17366503997293896692009-05-29T09:07:50.272+05:302009-05-29T09:07:50.272+05:30Hey sweets: Just found a moment to check your blog...Hey sweets: Just found a moment to check your blog: Felt much better after chatting (?) with you yesterday. What was to be a night of tears shed alone got converted to a continuous refresh of your comments page (:<br />And for just being there, I'm not forgetting you in a hurry.<br />Tis but a busy day today n' I will reply at leisure when I can.<br /><br />Thank you. I am of a breed that says these words more than required, but immediately as I feel them. For I have lost a few good friends, to death, to others, to marriages. I hardly revel in the words unspoken. I'd rather just say it. When I mean it.<br />Thank you sweets :) Have a good good day ye :)<br />BMaterial Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00690023129154658422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-26354726952686606672009-05-29T04:51:01.219+05:302009-05-29T04:51:01.219+05:30If you are by any chance confused why I've stresse...If you are by any chance confused why I've stressed so much on morality, then I'd just like to point out that it's one's system of morality that determines what kind of parent, friend, teacher, professional and citizen of the society and the world would they be. TC.Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-55122285307939441092009-05-29T04:19:18.428+05:302009-05-29T04:19:18.428+05:30...You might not realize, but whatever I've writte......You might not realize, but whatever I've written above contains more than 30% of what I've learnt about myself, the world, and the people in it. Phew! I'm a real slow learner... And I used think "I know enough about life". How conceited! :p<br /><br />Excuse the grammatical errors and break in flow of thoughts, but typing from my cell was a real pain in the thumb :)<br /><br />If you'll think of all the consequences of what I've written in my blogs--'Futuristic!' and 'Free will', maybe owing to your ensuing understanding of life, you'll be able to better accept it.<br /><br />TC.Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-25411503603537454362009-05-29T04:11:32.198+05:302009-05-29T04:11:32.198+05:30...Is it wrong to seek others' approval in matters......Is it wrong to seek others' approval in matters of morality?<br /><br />No. Approval gives me pleasure without harming anyone--so nothing wrong with it. But who I seek that approval from is extremely important. Ayn Rand can't ask the kid who's just read Panchatantra to rate 'The Fountainhead'. The kid might nod its head even without understanding a single word, or might call it plain crap. Likewise, I can't expect people less adept at practice of morality than me to approve of me (by liking me and being good to me). They might end up liking me, but without completely understanding what I stand for. Look around--different people like different things about Rand's novels. Some like them for punchlines; some for the plot--without ever realizing there's something more to them. But those who understand them for the sociological, philosophical, and spiritual (intensely personal issues like morality, love, professionalism, purpose and way to lead life, etc.) reasons the novels stand for, are the ones who understand them most completely...and such people are much fewer. No doubt, Fountainhead was rejected by 12 publishers. Can you allow those mediocre, secondhanders to decide fates of one Fountainhead, and one Ayn Rand? Can you allow those not worthy of your friendship to decide your worth by rejecting you?<br /><br /><br />How do I know I'm being partial to certain people and that they're not worthy of my friendship?<br /><br />If an act by someone I like evokes different response from me as compared to the same act by a total stranger, I'm being biased. I need to, as Rand would've said "check my premises"--the primary reasons for liking those I like.<br /><br /><br />I'm not implying you don't know all this, just trying to verbalize everything for you. I don't know about others, but I'm able to face difficulties much better if I know the reason for why something went wrong. Hope for this sole reason, what all I type here helps you.<br /><br /> <br />Maybe, that's why I blog. And though, the precise words have remained unsaid, I'd earned one particular friend in a matter of few comments and exchange of one email. Simply knowing that someone that good exists 'somewhere' had made me see this world as much more beautiful.<br /><br />Fortunately/unfortunately, the intense competition I'm to face and the immediate pressure to get myself a PG seat, have kept me from thinking too much on these issues...Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-15992166140095792682009-05-29T03:36:31.738+05:302009-05-29T03:36:31.738+05:30...One mistake I'd made was to think that since I ......One mistake I'd made was to think that since I was nice to people, people would be nice to me. I know one could point out "but what about friends?" Read this statement carefully: "certain person should be good to us ONLY BECAUSE we like them and we want them to like us back, and by extension, should always base their decisions on our welfare". This assertion is flawed. Sorry, but it is. You could be like that, but 'people' are not like that.<br /><br />You know, one day (and probably the last day 'cuz I learnt my lesson) when I was really disillusioned with humanity, what I thought? I'm too good for people. I'd left no margin for people to catch up to the standards of morality that I followed. Just because I'm the fastest runner (which I'm anything but ;) ), I can't expect everyone to run as fast as me.<br /><br /><br />Yes, morality is a matter of choice, but it still remains to be determined, what makes us make particular choices :) When your thoughts will get this complex (they already might be just that you'll have to give yourself the opportunity to concretize them), counterintuitively, your life will become simple. You'll love betting to yourself what a person you know will say, do in a given situation ;) You'll enjoy it when you'll win more and more bets. Can you imagine how sweet winning a bet could be if you don't put anything at stake in the first place? The problem is not that most of the people are incompetent (yes, that's the word) in matters of morality, but that you're too good. Which of the two facts do you or should you wish to change? None, I believe--you can't change others--only anticipate and adjust. You'll kill your'self', if you try to change.<br /><br />Ask yourself some difficult questions.<br /><br /><br />Why do I want certain people (friends) to be good (not bad) to you?<br /><br />Because that'd assure that they like me.<br /><br /><br />Why do I want them to like me?<br /><br />Because that'd assure me that I'm worthy of 'something'.<br /><br /><br />What's that something?<br /><br />Approval.<br /><br /><br />Why do I need that approval?<br /><br />So that I know my life's serving some purpose.<br /><br /><br />Is it important that my life should've a purpose?<br /><br />Not necessarily. But my vanity won't allow me to conclude that the life, one in which I'm so engrossed and caught up, doesn't have an external purpose. The fact (in my humble opinion) is I'm addicted to life, and then try to impart meaning to my life--depending upon how I've allowed it to shape up. But giving up on life never occurs to me--I'm just hooked to it!...Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1117433809983410591.post-65617712566591302942009-05-29T02:56:14.191+05:302009-05-29T02:56:14.191+05:30It's not that I've stopped trusting people entirel...It's not that I've stopped trusting people entirely. Nor that I've become too suspicious. Just that when I see any signs of predilection or lack of reluctance to inflict hurt--which VERY SIGNIFICANTLY involves how the said person behaves with OTHERS (especially weaker persons), I just lose trust in that person, and subconsciously, I'd know that the person doesn't deserve the power to hurt me (I develop contempt) that I only can bestow by expecting them to be ALWAYS good to me.<br /><br />There are two almost mutually exclusive set of entities that give pleasure--first, those that involve other human beings and their emotional involvement (sorry, I know how ruthlessly technical I might sound), and second, those that don't involve humans--thinking, writing, drawing, listening to music, etc.<br /><br />The latter, if one gets too involved with, would have them qualify as a loner. Tsk tsk. Not good.<br /><br />I've faced this crisis of suddenly losing almost all friends (because I realized by considering them my friends I was empowering so many undeserving and likely-to-hurt-people to hurt me) and being left thinking who to trust and on what bases. My solution, which could have me qualify as a lunatic--but I reveal it here, nevertheless--Fantasy--how I'd have revealed the feeling I'm brimming with had I got a very good friend/life partner (distinction is absolutely unimportant as far as such fantasy is concerned). How would've that friend responded? How we'd have ended with high-fives. How we'd have winked at each other. I know this might be the sombermost description I could be giving of my life, almost akin to somebody's death. And though it's not very different from that, this fantasization becomes quite sufficient after some time. True, I do feel occasional intense urge to find some true friends, but then I remind myself that in the longer run, accepting people in our proximity for what they're is infinitely less painful than deluding ourselves into believing what we want to believe about them. Anticipation helps a lot. If you know one of your friends is given to losing temper--then, you're not going to take seriously their ever so frequent outbursts. If you know someone given to jealousy, you anticipate needless venomous rejoinders from them, and also that they might cause you trouble and not help when in need...Ketanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622410643454108685noreply@blogger.com