I have decided to re-read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.
It came down to a choice between Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead—between my namesake, the enigmatic, sophisticated Dominique, and Dagny, the embodiment of objectivist ideals.
These two books are intellectual giants, each dissecting different facets of individuality. Both explore personal independence and excellence and have been profoundly influential in my life.
My recent trip to Europe was the catalyst for this re-read. There, I reconnected with old friends and engaged in lively, sometimes heated discussions. The sheer variety of opinions I encountered forced me to re-evaluate my beliefs.
In Poland, anti-government sentiment permeates most conversations. It seems that every discussion inevitably turns into government critique. In the U.S., I'm accustomed to the partisan divide: Democrats see Republicans as "flat-earthers," barely more evolved than apes, while Republicans view Democrats as naive communists who have never worked a day in their lives and are eager to redistribute wealth into failing public programs. This article isn't about politics, but I will say this: our political discourse, journalism, and individual opinions could all use a strong dose of objectivism.
Among the people I spoke with, some were staunchly pro-business, others leaned heavily left. Some worked hard, others "hardly worked." Most were highly educated, thanks to Poland’s excellent and affordable public education system, but very few applied that education to creative or cerebral endeavors.
What struck me was that ideology, for many, had become a form of religion. I saw nihilism bordering on zealotry (yes, a contradiction in terms). I saw leftist ideology practiced with religious fervor. Catholicism still thrives with a medieval level of devotion. Environmentalism, too, has taken on the air of modern religion (though I’ll write separately on the very real benefits of solar panels). And, of course, I witnessed epicureanism—people living for the next glass of wine, the next cigarette (which shocked me), the next night out. The overarching trend? Strong ideology but minimal individual action.
This mix of impressions and my professional struggles in a challenging situation led me to some existential questions: Who should I be? What values should I truly live by?
Atlas Shrugged offers a simple yet profound answer: Live by your own standards, forged through struggle, refined by experience, and sharpened by the hundreds of books you’ve read.
This book is a commitment of 1,200 pages. I suspect I’ll refine these thoughts—and perhaps rewrite this post—a few more times before I reach the final page.