Its July 22, and for lovers of literature, and specifically those who love the work of novelist/philosopher Ayn Rand, todays date has a certain glorious significance.
In Rands magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged, July 22 is the date that the John Galt Line is officially opened.
Now, if youre not familiar with the novel, just start reading it today. You can write and thank me in about a month when youve finished.
If you are familiar with this masterpiece, you know that the John Galt Line is the transcontinental railroad that is built by the protagonist, Dagny Taggart. The fact that this transcontinental railroad is made with a new kind of metal, Reardon Metal, which lasts three times longer than any other metal and which costs less to produce than other metals, allows its inventor, Hank Reardon, to capture huge profits.
Heres an excerpt from the novel. In this scene, Dagny announces the opening of the John Galt Line:
Now I must tell you about the opening of the John Galt Line, said Dagny. The first train will depart from the station of Taggart Transcontinental in Cheyenne, Wyoming, at four p.m. on July twenty-second. It will be a freight special, consisting of eighty cars. It will be driven by an eight-thousand-horsepower, four-unit Diesel locomotive which Im leasing from Taggart Transcontinental for the occasion.
(An extended, and quite beautiful, dramatic reading of this passage by voiceover artist and producer Heather Wagenhals can be found here).
So, aside from the coincidence of today also being July 22, whats so important about the launch of the John Galt Line?
The significance of the John Galt Line in Rands novel is that it represents mans victory and mastery over nature in the pursuit of a concrete physical goal. In this case, the goal was to traverse the continent in a train that is faster and more capable than any before it. To achieve this, the lead characters had to use their only tool for survival, and the only tool humans have to alter, to enhance and to celebrate their existence, the tool of reason.
The building of a transcontinental railroad is a perfect example of mans ability to achieve greatness, so its not surprising to me that Rand used it as a plot device to demonstrate mans mind at its best. Yet, we dont have to visit the pages of Atlas Shrugged to celebrate real-world railway achievements.
In fact, in May 2019, I wrote about the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad (which occurred on May 10, 1869).
The so-called Golden Spike event took place in Utah, and to help commemorate the occasion, the Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) sent its historic steam locomotive Big Boy No. 4041 to the event. Heres what I wrote about this anniversary last year:
Now, you may think this event is just a quaint little remembrance of things past or a nostalgic reminder of the countrys expansion into the West. But I dont think of it that way. I think of it as a chance to celebrate reason, reality and the victory over matter and molecules in the pursuit of a concrete physical goal a goal to explore and settle new territory and to enhance human existence.
The way that I see it, the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad is the quintessence of human achievement.
Now, when it comes to having reverence for reason and human achievement, Rand is unequaled. In another passage from the novel, we can see Rands worship for human values and human achievement, while also destroying those who regard achievement and the pursuit of values in the physical world as an ignoble concern or a surrender of mans spirit to his body.
She looked at the cab around her. The fine steel mesh of the ceiling, she thought, and the row of rivets in the corner holding sheets of steel sealed together who made them? The brute force of mens muscles? Who made it possible for four dials and three levers in front of Pat Logan to hold the incredible power of the sixteen motors behind them and deliver it to the effortless control of one mans hand?
These things and the capacity from which they came was this the pursuit man regarded as evil? Was this what they called an ignoble concern with the physical world? Was this the state of being enslaved by matter? Was this the surrender of mans spirit to his body?
She shook her head, as if she wished she could toss the subject out of the window and let it get shattered somewhere along the track.
In addition to the brilliant writing on display here, Rands not-so-subtle critique of those who scorn rational achievements in the real world as some sort of reprehensible aspect of human nature also is on display. As an advocate of laissez-faire capitalism being not only the most effective social system, but also the most moral social system, Rand always connected the purpose of human life with living a rational, achievement-oriented existence here on Earth.
In fact, Rand informally called her ideas, a philosophy for living on Earth, as those ideas venerate our existence and our nature, qua man.
So, today is July 22, the date of the maiden voyage of the John Galt Line. And on this day, I am going to celebrate by venerating mans distinguishing characteristic, and the one that makes all other values possible, the power of reason.
*********************************************************************
Dont Flatter Yourself
Dont flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become. Except in cases of necessity, which are rare, leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies; they are ready enough to tell them.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
While I would rather learn about my inequities and unpleasant things as soon as possible, instead of when they are presented by my enemies (so that I can fix them), I do love the idea of the growing importance of tact and courtesy the closer you become to someone. If we want to cultivate mutually satisfying relationships, we have to treat those in our lives with tact, courtesy and tenderness. Sure, we can provide tough love when appropriate, but tough love has a way of quickly morphing into resentment and anger.
So, the next time you feel the desire to be critical, or to say something disagreeable to someone you value, pause for a moment and try not to flatter yourself into thinking you have permission, because you probably dont.
Wisdom about money, investing and life can be found anywhere. If you have a good quote that youd like me to share with your fellow readers, send it to me, along with any comments, questions and suggestions you have about my newsletters, seminars or anything else. Click here to ask Jim.
In the name of the best within us,
Jim Woods
Here is the original post:
Celebrating the John Galt Line - Stock Investor
- Atlas Shrugged - cliffsnotes.com - December 12th, 2016 [December 12th, 2016]
- Atlas Shrugged Quotes by Ayn Rand - goodreads.com - December 25th, 2016 [December 25th, 2016]
- The reverse Atlas Shrugged scenario - The Washington Post - January 5th, 2017 [January 5th, 2017]
- About Atlas Shrugged - cliffsnotes.com - January 5th, 2017 [January 5th, 2017]
- Atlas Shrugged Quotes by Ayn Rand - January 20th, 2017 [January 20th, 2017]
- Atlas Shrugged - January 24th, 2017 [January 24th, 2017]
- Humor: School book club loses funding after asking Ayn Rand to come speak - The Aggie - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- What does Paul Ryan stand for? - The Week - The Week Magazine - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Trump's cabinet: No fear of the best | Valdosta Today - ValdostaToday.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- 5 Reasons Kevin Sorbo Should Play John Galt - Huffington Post - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Making Ayn Rand Relevant in the Era of President Trump - Huffington Post - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Atlas Shrugged | Ayn Rand | Conservative Book Club - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Apply Today for Maryland Taxpayers Scholarship - Bay Net - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Go Ahead, Women's Marchers, Strike. Nobody Will Miss You - The Federalist - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- The Narrative Gap - Huffington Post - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Why Ayn Rand Would Have Opposed Donald Trump - PanAm Post - PanAm Post - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Atlas Shrugged Audiobook | Ayn Rand | Audible.com - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Right Turn: Q&A with gay Republican Anthony Rek LeCounte - Metro Weekly - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Jim Brown, new Ayn Rand Institute CEO: 'Culture and society out there can look pretty irrational. Just look at the ... - Los Angeles Times - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Uber Is Doomed - Jalopnik - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Whittaker Chambers: Crusading Journalist | The Liberty Conservative - The Liberty Conservative - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- Strikes, Capitalism and Trump: A Review of Atlas Shrugged - The Boar - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- ALFA BOOK STORE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 7 THRU MARCH 11 - Alpine Sun - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Superman v Objectivism: Forget Lex Luthor and Brainiac; Could Ayn Rand Be Superman's Biggest Enemy? - Bright Lights Film Journal (blog) - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Ayn Rand is dead. Liberals are going to miss her. - Washington Post - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- A wry squint into our grim future - MyDaytonDailyNews.com - MyDaytonDailyNews - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Washington Post Op-ed: Ayn Rand is dead. Liberals are going to miss her. - Salt Lake Tribune - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Jennifer Burns: Randian philosophy losing cachet among modern conservatives - Norwich Bulletin - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- Will: Novel posits scary view of current course - The Columbian - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- George Will: A wry squint into our grim future - NewsOK.com - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Jennifer Burns: Ayn Rand is dead liberals are going to miss her - WatertownDailyTimes.com - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Is Ayn Rand still relevant 35 years on from her death? - The Adam Smith Institute (blog) - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- George F. Will: Slouching into dystopia - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Trump's 'libertarianism' endangers the public | GantNews.com - Gant Daily - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- How Conservatives Begat Trump, and What to Do About It - The ... - The Objective Standard - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Meredith Jorgensen - KCCI Des Moines - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Doctor Who: Is Regeneration a Fundamentally Abusive Act by The Doctor? - Houston Press - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- A vision of a grim future - Bluefield Daily Telegraph - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Atlas Shrugged and Ayn Rand's Morality of Egoism - The Objective ... - The Objective Standard - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Will: A wry squint into our grim future - Daily Commercial - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- What Is Wrong In Washington? - CleanTechnica - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- A wry squint into our grim future | Columns | mtstandard.com - Montana Standard - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Getting to know: Bill Robbins, with WealthForge - Richmond.com - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Front seat on a nostalgia trip - The Hindu - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Readers Write (March 12): Fishing fees, teacher shortages, urban/rural divide and culture, Uber discounts and ... - Minneapolis Star Tribune - March 12th, 2017 [March 12th, 2017]
- Gilbreth column: Disturbing concerns about artificial intelligence - Charleston Post Courier - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- How Ayn Rand's 'Elitism' Lives on in the Trump Administration - AlterNet - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Prentiss Smith: Paul Ryan ought to be ashamed, should work to fix Affordable Care Act - Shreveport Times - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- The Hidden Link Between Hillary's Emails and Atlas Shrugged - Houston Press - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Trump Administration Embraces Ayn Rand's Disdain for the Masses - Newsweek - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Crawford: American politics declining into profiteers vs. moochers - Hattiesburg American - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- American politics declining into profiteers vs. moochers - Meridian Star - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Best and Worst Political Cameos in Movies and TV - LifeZette - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Pat Grady on Atlas Shrugged, Sleep Deprivation, and Spud Webb - FeedFront Magazine (blog) - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- The Fountainhead: New York, New York - Patheos (blog) - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- BILL CRAWFORD: American politics declining into profiteers vs moochers - Mississippi Business Journal - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- Roland Martin Goes Off on White House for Saying Trump Isn't a Liar - Independent Journal Review - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- Climate Characters: Skeptical engineer questions government motives - The Daily Climate - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- I find Donald Trump contradictory going by his preferred reading list - Daily Nation - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- Northern Exposure Cast Could Make Time In Busy Schedules For Revival - Bleeding Cool News - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- Dynamics 365 A Familiar Minefield - SYS-CON Media (press release) - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- PBOC Loses Control Of Yuan Peg, Setting The Stage For A Global Currency Catastrophe - SilverSeek.com - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Interview: David Le'aupepe of Gang of Youths talks his uncompromising devotion to beautiful lyrics - Grimy Goods (blog) - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Ayn Rand's Controversial Play Gets a Queer Makeover - ? - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- We Don't Need Uber - Motherboard - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Atlas Shrugged Movie Review & Film Summary (2011 ... - Roger ... - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Supreme Court Confirms The Bill Of Rights Is Just About Making ... - Above the Law - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Atlas Shrugged Summary - Shmoop - Shmoop: Homework Help ... - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Paul Ryan's passionate call to cut taxes on the wealthy and corporations - Washington Post (blog) - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Thomas Edison inspires Navicure Chief Growth Officer Kermit Randa - Atlanta Business Chronicle - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Where's Ayn Rand when you need her? - Spectator.co.uk - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- The Fountainhead: Hooray for Unions - Patheos (blog) - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Richard Kyte: Institutions can bring people together - La Crosse Tribune - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]
- Republicans, inspired by Ayn Rand, and Democrats, sticking up for trees, join forces to kill billboard bill - The Progressive Pulse - June 27th, 2017 [June 27th, 2017]
- Richard Kyte: Institutions can bring people together - Chippewa Herald - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- WATCH: Sam Bee brutalizes Paul Ryan for 'jerking it to poor people ... - Raw Story - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- 'The literal definition of fake news': late-night hosts on Trump's Time cover - The Guardian - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- Love Him Or Hate Him, There's Nobody Making Movies Quite Like The Director Of Netflix's 'Okja' - WBUR - June 30th, 2017 [June 30th, 2017]
- The net neutrality Day of Action counter-protest is a complete joke - Mashable - July 14th, 2017 [July 14th, 2017]
- Reflection from Aspen Ideas Fest: Collective Action in the Land of Rugged Individualism - Skoll Foundation - July 14th, 2017 [July 14th, 2017]