Deep
"Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand is about celebrating what the author sees as the epitomy of man, a person who is "utterly selfish" and selfish in that every motive is internally driven.
Rand slams the concept of selflessness, claiming that if selflessness (or the sacrifice of oneself for others) was the best virtue, then we would necessarily need another's suffering to heighten our sense of selflessness. If everyone was selfish, everyone would be able to treat each other as equals, as two parties in a trade.
Of the characters, there is on by the name of Peter Keating. Peter is shown to be someone who finds their values based on the judgements of others and who does not have the ability to make it on his own, relying on another's skill to make him famous. He reflects other people's opinions and concepts, to a point where he has none of his own.
Disturbingly, or perhaps with clarity, I feel that I have a lot in common with Peter Keating. I think I am easily persuaded of an idea, and whilst I don't take on other people's ideas as my own, I would reflect their thoughts.
I remember a phrase that a project manager is a "conduit of other people's dreams" and I may have taken that to an extreme level (which may be why I am good at PM'ing!).
I did one of those personality analysis tests and from the strengths they listed I see myself as someone who tries to bring in others to the group and "win them over". The fact that I tried so hard to please would logically not make me as forthright in my own judgement and opinions.
However, there is a fear in me that I may look inside one day and come to the realisation that there isn't much underneath the surface...
So is this what the word "shallow" means? Do opinions make the man? Or is it something else that makes a person "deep"?
Should I balance myself out and start sprouting some more opinions? Or should I focus on my strengths and realise that this is who I am, and find what is best for me? Or maybe I should just think things through and whilst I don't have to sprout the opinion, know in my heart what I feel?
5 comments:
wow, that was "deep"! :)
i don't think a person's "depth" has anything to do with one's opinions at all, but more so to do with the integrity one has in their actions and thoughts. Is someone "shallow" just because they may not have had the educational opportunities others have and therefore not able to produce their opinions on certain issues?
I wonder though at your book - how can selfishness be celebrated!!?? Does the author not see what is driving all the wars that are occuring still around the world?
yeh - can't say i buy into the whole being selfish is the only way to go either.
maybe the important thing is not taking ideas and repeating them ad hoc, but actually internalising them and deciding if you believe the idea to be good/bad/right/wrong/smart/dumb.
it might not make you deep, but you will have your own unique opinion that way.
to me personally - i think to have the ability to self-reflect (examine your thoughts and actions) is deep in itself. as your sis said!
and after all those conversations about girls in your car mate - you defn be deep!
Ayn Rand was a Russian who suffered through the Russian Revolution. Thus she has no time for socialism and was a massive promoter of individualism and capitalism. So take her opinions with a grain of salt! (I did like her book though.)
Wanting to WOO (win others over) and Include (make people feel good) are great skills to have!
And I would say you've got a pretty damn good idea of what you like! Your easy going nature lets you go along with other peoples ideas but no chance of you doing something that you don't want to do.
My first time skiing, 9am in the morning:
W: Wow! That green run was steep!
Kev: Yeah. Let's go on a blue run.
W: Aaah... can we do another green?
Kev: You can, but I'm doing a blue.
W: Come on, one green?
Kev: I'll see you tonight then.
W: Don't leave meeeeeeee!
And on judging yourself against other peoples scales - go for it :) I do it all the time and it's a good way to continually broaden your horizons. You don't necessarily need to change yourself - unless you want to grow.
Deep down you know you're king sh1t anyway :P
hahaha, Ayn is about to have a revival! Atlas Shrugged is soon to be a movie... with Jolie no less o_O
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