最佳Atlas Shrugged播客 (2024)

1
E45 - Farewell...For Now 44:14

11M ago44:14

44:14

In this final episode, Jonathan discusses recent life changes that led to the break in episodes. Alas, this will be the last episode for a long while. Thank you to all the listeners who have corresponded and shared their experiences with the podcast. That has been a true joy. Jonathan is starting a History graduate program and won't have time to co…

1
E44 - Stinging Jets 43:16

1+ y ago43:16

43:16

In this episode, Jonathan explores Hank Reardon's perception that business enterprise is a "shameful cult." This involves a larger discussion of the value of work and the psychological toll of living with people who have different values. Jonathan mentions the book Callings as an example of how work can hold larger value. My five themes to explore …

1
E43 - Guiltless Serenity of Spirit 36:19

1+ y ago36:19

36:19

In this episode, Jonathan finishes up their discussion of Chapter 5. We see Dagny and Francisco interact in the novel's present time. The dialog reinforces the pattern for Francisco: keeping secrets and acting paternalistic toward Dagny. However, we also see suspenseful developments of Dagny's character on the Hero's Journey. Ayn Rand takes some mo…

1
E42 - A Ray of Hidden Light 44:49

1+ y ago44:49

44:49

In this episode, Jonathan discusses the end of the backstory of Francisco and Dagny's relationship. In reference to the "exhilaration" of Francisco's manic overworking, Jonathan draws out the distinction between workaholism and flow state. Flow state is a concept explained by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (click here for his book on the flow…

1
E41 - A Proud Surge of Motion 39:32

1+ y ago39:32

39:32

[For October-November 2022, episodes will not be released with the usual weekly frequency due to some family commitments. Hopefully the podcast will get back to regular weekly episodes soon. Thanks, everyone, for your patience and thoughtful engagement with the podcast!] In this episode, Jonathan analyzes the next few scenes of Chapter 5 (Part 1). …

1
E40 - >>Fast Forward>> Part 1 of The 20th Century Motor Company 1:59:17

1+ y ago1:59:17

1:59:17

In this episode, we "Fast Forward" to the Story of the 20th Century Motor Company (located in Chapter 10 of Part 2; p.616-627 in the Signet paperback edition). There are not many places on the internet to find the excerpt except for this link. Jonathan begins the Fast Forward episodes on the 20th Century Motor Company by doing a case study of the p…

1
E39 - A Woman of Such Confident Dangerous Power 50:57

1+ y ago50:57

50:57

This episode starts by checking in with Jim Taggart's growing apprehension of the power of shame-based morality -- something that Dagny thinks is potentially dangerous but Francisco considers merely disdainful. Next, the conversation turns to the dynamic between Francisco and Dagny, which continues to play according to Francisco's terms, mostly. Jo…

1
E38 - Too Great a Capacity for Joy 45:46

1+ y ago45:46

45:46

In this episode, Jonathan delves into the next stages of the friendship between Dagny and Francisco. Also, this episode further analyzes the antipathy between James and Francisco. Next, Jonathan spends a lot of time reflecting on the optimistic paragraph that describes how the three friends (Dagny, Francisco, and Eddie) sit around the bonfire imagi…

1
E37 - Everybody Loves Frankie 31:59

1+ y ago31:59

31:59

This episode focuses on the first scenes presented about Francisco d'Anconia's childhood interactions with the Taggart family, especially Dagny. Jonathan analyzes the friendship dynamics between Francisco, Dagny, and Eddie. Then, when Francisco attempts to test their mettle as an anonymous call boy for the train, we see the temptation that we all h…

1
E36 - Centuries of Breeding 57:30

1+ y ago57:30

57:30

In this episode, Jonathan analyzes the back story of Francisco D'Anconia's ancestry. The main topic of this episode is how Ayn Rand infuses an aristocratic family with bourgeois values. This involves thinking about social class in the terms conceptualized by Friedrich Nietzsche in the Genealogy of Morals. Jonathan recommends the podcast Philosophiz…

1
E35 - Play It Open 45:36

1+ y ago45:36

45:36

In this episode, Jonathan reaches the end of Chapter 4. In these last two scenes, Dagny interacts with two characters who share her "sense of life" and value system. The scene with Ellis Wyatt highlights the struggle of someone who has pride in their work but works in a broken system. Ellis Wyatt expresses particular disdain for those who feed off …

1
E34 - Dan Conway 45:52

1+ y ago45:52

45:52

Jonathan first discusses the short scene between Dagny and James. The "secret" that Dagny detects in James Taggart's smile is probably the short-term advantage possessed by those who are willing to use brute force or political maneuvering to achieve their goal. In the scene between Dagny and Dan Conway, we meet another "man's man" who built a succe…

1
E33 - The Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog Rule 37:22

1+ y ago37:22

37:22

This episode focuses on the vexing problem of setting rules for competition in marketplaces and profit-making. The government's function is to set the rules of the game and enforce them. In Atlas Shrugged, the National Railroad Association conducts illegal collusion, but Ayn Rand makes it seem like this behavior is something that firms could easily…

1
E32 - Nationalization 47:47

1+ y ago47:47

47:47

File this one under the theme: what is Capitalism and what is wrong with it? Jonathan provides a lengthy history-infused explanation of nationalization (when a government takes over an industry or a particular firm within an industry). The historical journey features Mexico's nationalization of its petroleum industry and the US Department of State'…

1
E31 - Betty Pope and Ayn Rand's Feminism 34:14

2y ago34:14

34:14

I thought that I could cover both the gender discussion and nationalization in about 45 minutes, but that did not happen. So, this week, we get into gender with the scene between James Taggart and Betty Pope. The next episode (#32) will discuss nationalization. Jonathan's understanding of contemporary gender theory and research is grounded in the t…

1
E30 - >>Fast Forward>> Part 3 of Francisco d'Anconia's Money Speech 2:11:52

2y ago2:11:52

2:11:52

For the 30th episode, Jonathan "fast forwards" to Part 2, Chapter 2 in order to discuss one of the most quoted sections of Atlas Shrugged, Francisco d'Anconia's Money Speech. The gist of the speech is that d'Anconia (and Rand) claims that money is not the root of evil, but the root of all good. In this longer episode, Jonathan delves into the logic…

1
E29 - Phaethon Succeeded 43:46

2y ago43:46

43:46

This episode begins by delving into aesthetics with an exploration of the question: what makes great art great? Dagny returns to her apartment and listens to the music of Richard Halley. Jonathan analyzes the description of Halley's Fourth Concerto and explores the idea that the experience of pain is worse for those who see no purpose in it. Jonath…

1
E28 - Motive Power 44:49

2y ago44:49

44:49

Jonathan begins this episode with a review of a recent book on economic systems: Is Capitalism Obsolete?: a Journey Through Alternative Economic Systems by Giacomo Corneo. This episode kicks off the discussion of Chapter 4 of Part 1. The title of the chapter, The Immovable Movers, carries allusions to Ancient Greek philosophical traditions connecte…

1
E27 - The Old Watchdog and the Silent Presence 36:10

2y ago36:10

36:10

This episode begins with Jonathan examining how people typically make decisions about who is deserving of empathy and who is not. This episode's close read starts with the scene between Dagny and the "old watchdog." Jonathan examines the social class evocations called up by the identification of the old watchdog having an "air of breeding" about hi…

1
E26 - Nat Taggart and the Importance of Historical Context 32:34

2y ago32:34

32:34

This episode begins with an analysis of the scene between Dagny and Jim about the San Sebastian Line. This scene reprises a lot of the dynamics we saw before when Jim and Dagny interacted: Jim's sexism, ignorance, avoidance of responsibility, and disdain for facts. This scene also includes some fearmongering about nationalization, and the Mexican g…

1
E25 - Spectacularly Worthless 45:32

2y ago45:32

45:32

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains some information about Francisco d'Anconia that has not yet been revealed in the book, but it's not really that big of a spoiler. Jonathan begins this episode riffing on the phrase "spectacularly worthless" which is used to describe Francisco d'Anconia when he's introduced to the reader in Chapter 3 of Atlas Shr…

1
E24 - Admiration and Ability 46:10

2y ago46:10

46:10

Jonathan begins the episode by pointing out the topsy-turvy nature of which characters in the novel are at the top in terms of power but at the bottom in terms of morality. Following that introduction, Jonathan discusses the backstory information we get about Dagny Taggart and the ways that Dagny's heroism can be appealing regardless of your politi…

1
E23 - Historical Necessity 35:36

2y ago35:36

35:36

Jonathan begins this episode by discussing Schumpeter's concept of "creative destruction" and the thorny problem of those who, through no fault of their own, lose their jobs because of it. Next, we challenge Orren Boyle's notion of "progressive social policy" by clarifying and historicizing the legislation and reforms of the Progressive Era. Swill …

1
E22 - Definitions of Property (Private, Personal, Intellectual) 40:31

2y ago40:31

40:31

After a short statement touching base about the format of the podcast, Jonathan returns to Orren Boyle's ideas about the social responsibilities of companies. The Delano Grape Strike & Boycott is a famous example of the "people not standing for it" when a company fails in its social responsibilities. The bulk of this episode is devoted to an econom…

1
E21 - Disunity and Sharing the Burden 37:59

2y ago37:59

37:59

In this episode, Jonathan returns to the first scene of Chapter 3 and analyzes the political-economic ideas alluded to by James Taggart and Orren Boyle. In this scene, Ayn Rand associates socialism with fascism, which is a very similar argument to the ideas of Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises. Jonathan summarizes the main argument of Hayek's bo…

1
E20 - >>Fast Forward>> Part 2 of Francisco d'Anconia's Money Speech 58:12

2y ago58:12

58:12

For the 20th episode, Jonathan "fast forwards" to Part 2, Chapter 2 in order to discuss one of the most quoted sections of Atlas Shrugged, Francisco d'Anconia's Money Speech. In Jonathan's edition, the speech appears on page 387. The gist of the speech is that d'Anconia (and Rand) claims that money is not the root of evil, but the root of all good.…

1
E19 - Conspiracies 33:29

2y ago33:29

33:29

This episode begins the close reading of Chapter 3. Jonathan sets up the discussion of the first scene with a reflection on conspiracy theories. They cite Ross Douthat's March 2, 2021, column "A Better Way to Think About Conspiracy Theories" published in The New York Times. Jonathan then explains Orren Boyle's motivations at the start of the conspi…

1
E18 - Friends of Global Progress 35:23

2y ago35:23

35:23

This episode concludes Jonathan's close reading of Chapter 2: The Chain. Jonathan interprets the chapter as a series of scenes that feature different species of the category "moocher." In this last scene, Hank tries to make his brother, Philip, feel a moment of happiness but that backfires terribly. Jonathan analyzes Ayn Rand's caricatures of the "…

1
E17 - Public Relations 38:26

2y ago38:26

38:26

Jonathan begins this episode by returning to a question explored in Episode 6: the difficulty of determining the moral and ethical responsibilities that a business owner has regarding social justice and responding to social change. This scene within Chapter 2 addresses the question with Hank Rearden's friend, Paul Larkin, voicing concern about Hank…

1
E16 - The Bracelet and the Anthropology of Gift-Giving 38:41

2y ago38:41

38:41

Jonathan begins this episode by discussing gift-giving from an anthropological perspective. For the article on gift-giving from the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Anthropology, click here. Jonathan then analyzes the reactions of Hank Rearden's family to his gift to Lillian of the bracelet made from Rearden Metal. Next Jonathan discusses the absence of p…

1
E15 - Introducing the Moochers 33:25

2y ago33:25

33:25

Jonathan begins this episode by referring to the previous episode as a "paragraph" -- oops! But then they return to the topic of hegemonic masculinity as a way to frame their analysis of the way that Hank Rearden's family is portrayed in Chapter 2. Jonathan discusses the economics of the family in the modern era and what these economic arrangements…

1
E14 - The Meaning of Accomplishment and "Rearden Life" 30:15

2y ago30:15

30:15

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 ind…

1
E13 - Hank Reardon and the Meaning of Vocation 34:49

2y ago34:49

34:49

At the start of this episode, Jonathan recommends a recent podcast episode from the Ezra Klein Show that is an interview with historian Timothy Snyder. This episode then explores the first few pages of Chapter 2 and how Rand glorifies industry without taking externalities like environmental pollution into account. There's also a connection to the c…

1
E12 - Owen Kellogg 24:20

2y ago24:20

24:20

In this episode, we finally get to the end of Chapter 1! Jonathan focuses on how Chapter 1 has set obstacles in Dagny's path and projected the atmosphere of decay. The chapter ends with two characters "dropping out": Richard Halley who has remained out of public life and Owen Kellogg who decides to quit Taggart Transcontinental. In the last scene, …

1
E11 - The Human Element 35:13

2y ago35:13

35:13

In this episode, Jonathan does a close read of the first scene between Dagny and James Taggart. James protests against Dagny's approach to business by citing some half-baked theories about capitalism and morality. Jonathan picks apart the argument and identifies some of the straw-man arguments that Ayn Rand deploys through the voice of James Taggar…

1
E10 - >>Fast Forward>> Part 1 of Francisco d'Anconia's Money Speech 1:10:46

2y ago1:10:46

1:10:46

For the 10th episode, Jonathan "fast forwards" to Part 2, Chapter 2 in order to discuss one of the most quoted sections of Atlas Shrugged, Francisco d'Anconia's Money Speech. In Jonathan's edition, the speech appears on page 387. The gist of the speech is that d'Anconia (and Rand) claims that money is not the root of evil, but the root of all good.…

1
E9 - Taking Responsibility 30:24

2y ago30:24

30:24

In this episode, Jonathan discusses the scene with Dagny Taggart and the train workers who want to follow the broken signal. Dagny's frustration is based on her response to the indifference that has come up earlier in the book. This part of the scene demonstrates a lot of Dagny's heroic characteristics. Jonathan ties some of these heroic qualities …

1
E8 - An Unobstructed Effort to Introduce Dagny Taggart 26:10

2y ago26:10

26:10

Today's episode begins with speculation about the "actual" Halley's Fifth Concerto in our Moment of Non-Contradiction. Jonathan then discusses the first scene with Dagny Taggart named, in which Dagny has a dramatic reaction to hearing a (new?) song by a favorite composer. The moments in which Dagny gets swept away by the music bring up some interes…

1
E7 - Cynical Indifference 27:44

2y ago27:44

27:44

In today's episode, Jonathan discusses how to handle the world Ayn Rand creates in Atlas Shrugged as a fantasy world and how that limits the applicability of the ideas in the book to our shared reality. The main scene discussed today is the one between Pop Harper and Eddie Willers, in which Pop bemoans the shortage of woolen undershirts and then cl…

1
E6 - Ellis Wyatt and Innovation 28:49

2y ago28:49

28:49

In this episode, Jonathan discusses the problem that Ellis Wyatt presents for Jim Taggart's vision of capitalism. Specifically, Jim Taggart hates change agents such as Wyatt and yearns for stasis. This connects to a discussion of the profit motive and its role in justifying capitalism. Jonathan explores alternatives to the profit motive and then co…

1
E5 - James Taggart's Obsession with Blamelessness 25:15

2y ago25:15

25:15

In this episode, Jonathan explores the nature of the problems Eddie Willers raises with Taggart Transcontinental Railroad President James Taggart. What responsibility does a business leader or a political leader have when it comes to "national conditions?" How do situations like these highlight the obsession over blamelessness in our society and cu…

1
E4 - Historical Context, Craft, What is Right, and Meeting Jim Taggart 24:09

2y ago24:09

24:09

In today's episode, Jonathan introduces listeners to ideas about how to interact with a text from the past using practices taught to history teachers. Following that explanation, Jonathan discusses just some of the historical context of Atlas Shrugged, published in 1957. Today's Moment of Non-Contradiction touches on the topic of fiction writing cr…

1
E3 - Eddie Willers 23:15

2y ago23:15

23:15

In this episode, I focus on the interior thoughts of Eddie Willers and the description of a city in decay. These pages take us into some interesting territory: what is Eddie's sense of apprehension? From the socialist point of view: how does capitalism betray us? From Rand's point of view: how has socialism betrayed what was great about capitalism?…

1
E2 - The Bum 25:22

2y ago25:22

25:22

Thank you for continuing to listen to my close reading of Atlas Shrugged. In this episode, I discuss an example of Atlas Shrugged appearing in the public discourse by Aaron Rodgers. Then, I introduce a regular feature of the podcast, Today's Moment of Non-Contradiction (link to today's comment). In that segment, I choose a comment about Atlas Shrug…

1
E1 - Introduction and the First Line 21:24

2y ago21:24

21:24

Welcome to this podcast! In this episode, Jonathan introduces themself and explains their rationale for the podcast. NOTE: this is not a read aloud of Atlas Shrugged, but instead a critical close reading. The Signet paperback is the edition Jonathan will be using. Questions or comments? Email me at: socialistreads@gmail.com Learn more about Jonatha…

1
What if Atlas Shrugged? 22:19

5y ago22:19

22:19

This episode is about Ayn Rand’s final novel, Atlas Shrugged. It includes the moral truths, values and virtues she lives by and her interpretation of them in the book. Description of the plot, the outcome and the lessons learned along with an interview from PBS and Ayn herself.

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