Atlas Shrugged, Part 2 Chapter 1: The Man Who Belonged On Earth

Posted by nsnelson 9 years, 9 months ago to Books
31 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

Summary: Dr. Stadler was pondering the book of Dr. Floyd Ferris (age 45), the Top Co-ordinator of the State Science Institute. They met to discuss the Wyatt oil fields conflagration, Project X, and Wesley Mouch. Hammond quit; Stockton quit. Dagny pondered this, and Akston’s cigarette. She also interviewed scientists to study the motor, before asking Dr. Stadler, who pointed her to Quentin Daniels, and spoke of John Galt. Rearden refused a SSI order for his Metal, and sold some to Ken Danagger instead. The Wet Nurse tried unsuccessfully to persuade Rearden to comply. Rearden went to Dagny to continue their romance, and to ponder the SSI issue.

Start by reading the first-tier comments, which are all quotes of Ayn Rand (some of my favorites, some just important for other reasons). Comment on your favorite ones, or others' comments. Don't see your favorite quote? Post it in a new comment. Please reserve new comments for Ayn Rand, and your non-Rand quotes for "replies" to the quotes or discussion. (Otherwise Rand's quotes will get crowded out and pushed down into oblivion. You can help avoid this by "voting up" the Rand quotes, or at least the ones you especially like, and voting down first-tier comments that are not quotes of the featured book.)

Atlas Shrugged was written by Ayn Rand in 1957.

My idea for this post is discussed here:

http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

All Comments

Previous comments...   You are currently on page 2.
  • Posted by nsnelson 9 years, 9 months ago
    From Dr. Ferris’ book on Dr. Stadler’s desk: “You say that you’re sure you’re right? Nobody is right, or ever can be… Don’t argue. Accept. Adjust yourself. Obey.”
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by nsnelson 9 years, 9 months ago
    From Dr. Ferris’ book on Dr. Stadler’s desk: “Do not expect consistency. Everything is a contradiction of everything else. Nothing exists but contradictions.”
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by nsnelson 9 years, 9 months ago
    From Dr. Ferris’ book on Dr. Stadler’s desk: “A scientist knows that a stone is not a stone at all. It is, in fact, identical with a feather pillow. Both are only a cloud formation of the same invisible, whirling particles. But, you say, you can’t use a stone for a pillow? Well, that merely proves your helplessness in the face of actual reality.”
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by nsnelson 9 years, 9 months ago
    From Dr. Ferris’ book on Dr. Stadler’s desk: “Only the crassest ignoramus can still hold to the old-fashioned notion that seeing is believing. That which you see is the first thing to disbelieve.”
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by nsnelson 9 years, 9 months ago
    From Dr. Ferris’ book on Dr. Stadler’s desk: “Thought is a primitive superstition. Reason is an irrational idea. The childish notion that we are able to think has been mankind’s costliest error.”
    Reply | Permalink  

  • Comment hidden. Undo