As much as I think AS is an accurate predictor of the way the present is turning into, I also believe that "Idiocracy" isn't too far off either... Granted, it was made as a spoof movie (unlike AS), it does bring up some interesting points of when "stupid people are allowed unchecked breeding".

I guess just taking what you want from wherever you can get it seems to be an easier path for human nature. Unfortunately its not sustainable at all- once you take from others and get richer, others want to take from you and it all comes down. Seems hard for people in general to realize this

I understand your point. It just seems like over history individual rights seem to be just not something that is honored. Its like law of the jungle is the norm, and socialism is thought of as a protection from that. Somehow that got started and people stick to it in the face of incredible evidence it doesnt work.

"Natural gravitation towards socialism" is the political consequence of almost universally pervasive altruist ethics. Neither side of the utilitarian/deontological divide ever questioned the ethics of altruism--and only AR and her adherents offer a philosophically cohesive alternative. How rare she is (and we are)!

It also takes a work ethic and the courage to think for oneself to avoid becoming at one with mooching sheeple.

Who would think our current so-called Information Age would be chock full of low-information voters?
Maybe the present should be called the Gadget Distraction Age.

There seems to be some sort of natural gravitation towards socialism thats built into humans. Its a nice idea that everyone takes care of you (like when you were a kid), but its a totally unrealistic expectation given the nature of human beings. I think its takes thought to realize capitalism and self-responsibility is the only sustainable system.

in retrospect Ms. Rand was optimistic with this comment. With all of what see saw taking place in the country with respect to education as well, see may not have realized how dumb the population would become in such a short period of time. Therefore, due to a lack of cognitive thought of the major part of the population they could not possibly comprehend her views.

This is on par with her expectation that AS would find some critical acclaim, which it did not. She systematically overestimated general intelligence, based on the limited sample size of the "ordinary" people who loved her book, and underestimated the venality and corruption of elites, especially cultural elites, for reasons at which I can only guess. Absent some sort of rewiring of the human race, her future is many centuries hence.

Does anyone know if she ever clarified if this would happen before or after the need to Gulch. When I was young the world I knew contained no more than 10% moochers. That is now probably somewhere between 60% and 75%. Only a politician could call that progress.

Good answer!!

She didn't say how far into the future. It's up to us to get things started.

Oh, don't we wish!!