An explanation of the Mexican fiasco…

Atlas Shrugged – Day 014 – pp. 134-143

The exposition of modern thought continues for a couple pages. They seem to be able to apply their planned economic ideas to almost anything…

“There should be a law limiting the sale of any book to ten thousand copies. This woudl throw the literary market open to new talent, fresh ideas and non-comercial writing. If people were forgidden to buy a millioin copies of the same piece of trash, they would be forced to bu better books.”

There’s a brief introduction of Bertram Scudder, editor of a magazine called The Future. He had penned an article once on Hank Rearden titled “the Octopus.” Continue reading “An explanation of the Mexican fiasco…”

Becoming a d’Anconia (for real)

Atlas Shrugged – Day 011 – pp. 104-113

On the ride home, Dagny asked her mother,

“Mother, do they think it’s exactly in reverse?”
“What” Mrs Taggart asked bewildered
“The things you were talking about. The lights and the flowers. Do they expect those things to make them romantic, not the other way around?”
“Darling, what do you mean?”
“There wasn’t a person there who enjoyed it.” she said, her voice lifeless, “or who thought or felt anything at all. They moved about, and they said the same dull things they seay anywhere. I suppose they thought the lights would make it brilliant.”
“Darling, you take everything too seriously. One is not supposed to be intellectual at a ball. One is siplysupposed to be gay.”
“How? By being stupid?”
“I mean, for instance, didn’t you enjoy meeting the young men?”
“What men? There wasn’t a man there I couldn’t squash ten of.”

Continue reading “Becoming a d’Anconia (for real)”

Becoming a d’Anconia – pt 2

Atlas Shrugged – Day 010 – pp. 94-103

Francisco is a very directed young man. He deplores standing still. Worse yet, he despises moving aimlessly — without purpose.

Francisco was clearly the alpha dog of their little three pup pack (Dagny, Francisco and Eddie.)

He considers learning about life as or more important that spending time in libraries.

And apparently for most of his life, he has been preparing to run d’Anconia Copper.

He had an interesting take on life and wealth even as a young man…

Continue reading “Becoming a d’Anconia – pt 2”

Disappearances

Atlas Shrugged – Day 007 – pp. 64-73

And Chapter IV — The Immovable Movers

Dagny returns from a trip to United Locomotive Works in Jersey.  She had gone to see the president about why they were unable to deliver the locomotives Taggart had ordered.

As is seemingly the norm, the president is bathing himself in self-absolution.

Upon returning she finds Eddie who tells her that McNamara (the contractor who was to finish the Rio Norte line) has quit.  Retired.  Quit. Left the business.  Walked out on a fortune worth of pending contracts.

Looks like time for a little conflict build-up.

Continue reading “Disappearances”