Membership Upgrade?

Posted by BenjaminGrimm 12 years ago to The Gulch: General
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I became an Objectivist before I knew that word even existed, much less it's meaning. The joy I found in reading The Fountainhead and seeing my own thoughts and opinions translated into a novel is beyond words. I tore through the book a just a few days. As soon as I'd finished, I went out and bought Atlas Shrugged. I read it even fast than Fountainhead. Then Anthem, and finally, We The Living. For this reason, I don't actively "preach" Objectivism, but anyone who knows me knows I live by it. I think finding it on your own makes a much greater impact than being led to it and having your mind changed to it, but that's just me. Then I found this site after seeing the first movie.

When I first found this site, I was rather disappointed with much of the content I found and that most of the posters here were basically Objectivist in name only. I know being an Objectivist isn't exactly popular in America today, but post after post seemed to be made by people who thought they were riding some bandwagon, but didn't bother to pick up on the core beliefs along the way. I was pretty let down by all that, wondering if that was all there was left of Objectivism today. So I took a break from the site for a while. These last few weeks I've found my way back, driven back by the insanity of the rest of the world, looking for comfort in the logical mind. I find better posts and links now than in the past, which gives me hope. What do you think Gulch members? Is it time to upgrade? Is it worth it to come here regularly? Has this sight become a beacon for modern Objectivists?

All Comments

  • Posted by LetsShrug 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Okay...I know there have been some off the wall discussions...we "meander" at times, get silly, yuk it up etc, but that's only because we KNOW we are among like minds and it feels right to do so. I have zero desire to get goofy with idiots however. Anyway...glad you're sticking around. :)
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  • Posted by BenjaminGrimm 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm not sure I've seen too many posts about religion here that I remember. I didn't comment on any of the posts I disliked, because I disliked them. So unfortunately now, months after the fact, I can't point them out to you. But I don't think it's important now. I find the atmosphere to be much improved, and I look forward to returning daily.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Are you referring to religion? I'm still scratching my head about what you read in the past that was so anti Obj..?
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  • Posted by $ kathywiso 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Well, Thank you.....I am glad that you decided to hang around with us. It took me a while to figure out how to get around, but I knew there was nothing else out there that made me feel more at home :)
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  • Posted by James628 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    When I first became a member I had the option of "moocher" or "producer". I simply opted for "producer" and paid the fee. Don't recall having to sign up then "upgrade" later. Of course, just because I don't recall it doesn't mean it didn't happen that way. I just seem to recount the event as I explained it happened.......
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  • Posted by James628 12 years ago
    Ben,

    I felt the same way when I discovered Atlas Shrugged. And I experienced the same feeling after reading your post;

    "I became an Objectivist before I knew that word even existed, much less it's meaning. The joy I found in reading The Fountainhead and seeing my own thoughts and opinions translated into a novel is beyond words. I tore through the book a just a few days. As soon as I'd finished, I went out and bought Atlas Shrugged. I read it even fast than Fountainhead. Then Anthem, and finally, We The Living. For this reason, I don't actively "preach" Objectivism, but anyone who knows me knows I live by it. I think finding it on your own makes a much greater impact than being led to it and having your mind changed to it, but that's just me. Then I found this site after seeing the first movie. "

    Very pleased to see some are thinking exactly what I am thinking or have thought.
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  • Posted by BenjaminGrimm 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I do, as I said it's just that reading posts and comments the first time around were almost anti-Objectivist. It seems the Gulch has thinned the herd and the true remain.
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  • Posted by $ kathywiso 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Great Benjamin..... now we can talk in the lounge and you can have input in the movie on April 18th.. and sdesapio will be giving you more yes's...lol ! I Hope you understand that we are from all walks of life, but we feel the same way about most things :)
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  • Posted by $ Susanne 12 years ago
    To me... it was an easy decision to become a producer here. I receive value from this site; to do so without supporting it by paying for it would, to me, be mooching. Because it is a voluntary thing, it makes the value even more so. In fact... I had tried to sign up as a producer, but it would not let me upgrade until I was a member, so I was (ug) a "moocher" for about 24 hours.

    It's a personal thing - and it speaks to your *true* core philosophy. ;)
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  • Posted by Ben_C 12 years ago
    I too find comfort in this site. While I get challenged for some of my posts I throw them out for the conversations I don't get in my "sea of blue" home town. I have long thought that the real hope is the communication capability provided by the internet. I am clearly a rookie and thirst for knowledge. This is the place to find it.
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  • Posted by $ kathywiso 12 years ago
    Personally, I have to say that I HAVE lived my life as an objectivist and am still in the process of building my business and finding happiness in that success. I have to say that finding this website has given me a great deal of confidence in the future. People post what is important to them, whether it is A=A or what some politician says they disagree with. We are like minded people, believing in Ayn Rands principles and like to enjoy life along the way. I also enjoy learning from others who have done different things with their lives. Membership upgrade... like maybe becoming a producer ???? Just curious !
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, we are quite an eclectic bunch here, for which I'm very glad. There are so many interesting, thought provoking posts and comments, I find myself more often than I should, diving in, reading, responding, and generally coming away having learned something. Substantial, or not so much, but that's ok.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I used the word bandwagon before....when talking about the election...and my exasperated hopes of getting Romney elected so we would have more time to wake the dead to save our country instead of the sure death Obama would bring. I said, to whomever I was speaking to that said, "Vote your principles not for the lesser of two evils..." that I would get on the band wagon of voting for a Paul or a Johnson in the next election..... other than that I don't know when "bandwagon" was used. Weird that I remember that actually.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 12 years ago
    What does Objectivism mean to you Ben? We can learn from each other in here. Don't be afraid to teach. (Have you seen my fascinating survey on Mayo vs Miracle Whip?... okay, I couldn't resist...I'm just kidding...) I look forward to your answer. :)
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  • Posted by BenjaminGrimm 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I understand your point, khalling, and I appreciate your input. I do not mean to revolt against reality here, just find those who are, as you say, the real Galters.
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