I think these are valid criticisms. Atlas Shrugged is an excellent story, and as a work of poetry, it's absolutely beautiful. But if it's supposed to be more than that, if it's supposed to be a blueprint for a moral code and a way of life, then the actions of the charterers need to be judged according to the standards of the real world. Otherwise it's just a story.

Actually, I listened to Atlas Shrugged as an audio book. So technically, you are correct. I haven't read it. I listened to it instead.

Okay, and what does that have to do with anything?

You are so very right. As a literary tome, it is quite lacking. As a passable novelization that embodies an economic, political, and moral philosophy, it is titanic. It is on par with "The Goal" by Eli Goldratt in that it is not good literature, but it is great as a method of conveying a message on how to evaluate a system for the weak link.