E14 - The Meaning of Accomplishment and "Rearden Life"

A Socialist Reads Atlas Shrugged

In this episode, Jonathan analyzes the celebration of Hank Rearden's accomplishment. They then explain hegemonic masculinity and how it is visible in Hank Reardon's recollection of his own backstory. In Rearden's story of working his way up, there's something missing: the way that he was able to save up enough money for purchasing the abandoned industrial property. Jonathan ends the episode by recommending this great essay by Anna Sones about self-promotion for new artists.
To explain the extreme unlikelihood of Hank Rearden's rise to wealth, several works are mentioned in this episode: John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath, Emile Zola's Germinal, Kristin Hannah's Four Winds, Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickle and Dimed, Matthew Desmond's Evicted, and Beth Macy's Dopesick, adapted as a Hulu Series.
My five themes to explore in this podcast's close read of Atlas Shrugged are:

1. What is human nature?
2. Straw-man arguments and their impact on the world Ayn Rand creates.
3. Dagny Taggart as a true hero.
4. How empathy can be de-legitimized.
5. What is Capitalism and what is wrong with it?

Questions or comments? Email me at: [e-mail]
Learn more about Jonathan Seyfried at their website, https://jonathanseyfried.art
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The intro/outro music was composed by John Sib.
The podcast theme image was created by Karina Bialys.

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