Three Topics, Your Choice: Pledge for Another Podcast

It's time ... drumroll please ... for Phase Two of "Choose Your Own Podcast Adventure"! As you might recall, I solicited suggestions for my next podcast topic a few weeks ago. The many proposals offered were excellent, so I don't just want to pick one topic myself. I'd have a tough time deciding! Instead, I want to offer you -- or more precisely, the people willing to fund the podcast -- the power to select the topic.

To that end, I'm holding a pledge run-off between the top three proposed topics for this podcast:

• Irrational Family Members: How can we be consistently rational and selfish in our dealings with irrational, altruistic, and/or religious family members? When should you tolerate people you dislike or that you judge immoral? How can you make those people more tolerable -- or even acceptable? What should you do if that's not possible? When should cut off relations with someone? How can you explain what you're doing and why to your better family members?
  
• Sense of Life: What is "sense of life"? What is its importance to a person's life? How do you identify your own sense of life? How do you identify that of others? How does sense of life impact our thinking, feelings, and choices? How does it impact our relations with other people, including friendship and romance? How is sense of life revealed in our responses to art? What is the relationship between a person's sense of life and his explicit philosophy? Can sense of life be changed? If so, how?
  
• Value Density: What is value density? How and why do people fail to seek value density in their lives? How can we make our lives more value dense? How does the concept apply to our purchases, what we eat, our relationships, productivity, vacations, education, and social events, for example?

Due to other demands on my time -- like the final two podcasts for Explore Atlas Shrugged -- I'll collect pledges until August 31st at noon. If people pledge enough money to make this 30 to 60 minute podcast worth my while, I'll produce it by September 10th. The topic will be whichever of the three above topics that receives the most money in total pledges. Most importantly, only the people who pledged on that particular topic will receive the podcast.

As before, you (or someone in your household) must pledge on the winning topic for you to hear the podcast. I'll likely offer this new podcast for sale later, as I've done with my podcast on finding good prospects for romance and friendship. However, I'm not sure of the terms or timing of that sale. So if you want the podcast to be produced and you want to hear it, you should pledge now.

As before, you won't owe me any money until the podcast is delivered to you. You're paying for performance, not mere promises! So if I don't produce the podcast by September 10th, whether because the funds pledged were insufficient or for any other reason, then you'll owe me nothing. Also, if you're not satisfied with the quality of the podcast, I'll refund your pledge.

Finally, the pledges for the two non-winning topics will be null and void, since I'll only produce one podcast. As a result, you can pledge on more than one topic, if you like, knowing that you'll only owe one pledge in the end. In fact, to ensure that you get the podcast, you must pledge on all three topics. In other words, pledge early and pledge often!

You can pledge on any one, two, or three topics using this pledge form. (If you don't want to pledge for a given topic, just enter "0".) Please do include your questions on the topics, as that will help me produce a better podcast!



Do you have questions? I've got answers!

How much should I pledge?

That's entirely up to you. You should pledge whatever amount you'd like to contribute in order to motivate me to produce the podcast, based on your interest in that topic.

How do I know if the podcast will be any good?

I hope that you've come to appreciate the quality of my work from regularly reading NoodleFood, listening to my NoodleCasts, hearing my OCON course on luck, and so on.

Will anyone know that I've committed?

Your name, e-mail, pledge amount, and question will be anonymous. I'll likely post the substantive questions and comments, but I'll make them anonymous.

What if I change my mind after I pledge?

If you wish to increase your pledge, you can always pledge more. Just submit another pledge to be added to your existing pledges. If you make a mistake in your pledge, you can e-mail me at e-mail me at diana@dianahsieh.com before August 31st. If you want to back out of your pledge... well, I won't have any legal way of enforcing this contract, but if you welch on your bill, you're a schmuck!

When will I find out whether you're doing the podcast or not?

The call for pledges ends at noon on August 31st. I'll e-mail everyone who pledged, as well as post an announcement to NoodleFood, with the news about whether I'll be producing the podcast or not.

How do I pay you?

You'll be able to pay via PayPal, or you can send me a check or money order. (I prefer PayPal, but I'm happy to get payment via paper too.)

Can I share the podcast with anyone else?

You may only share it with other members of your household. Again, I won't have any legal way of enforcing this contract, but if you distribute the link, you're a schmuck!

What if I'm not satisfied with the podcast?

If the podcast doesn't offer you the value you expected, then I will void your pledge and refund any money paid. All that you have to do is e-mail me explaining why you're dissatisfied with the podcast.

If I don't pledge, will I be able to hear the podcast?

Maybe, maybe not. If people don't pledge enough money to make the podcast worth my while, then no one will ever hear it. If people do pledge enough money, I might release it as an ordinary, free NoodleCast... eventually. I wouldn't do that until 2011, at the earliest. Before then, I might make it available for a price, but I've not decided. Basically, if you don't pledge any money now, before August 31st, then you're risking that you'll never hear it.

Why are you doing this?

I want to know whether and how much people value my work. I want to offer people what they value most. And I want to be fairly paid for the value I provide. Plus, knowing that people really do value my work -- that they're willing to support it with their dollars -- is hugely motivating! On the other hand, if some endeavor of mine isn't much valued, then I'd appreciate knowing that, so that I can spend my time on other projects.

What do I do if I have some other question?

Please post it in the comments or e-mail me at diana@dianahsieh.com. I'll update these questions to clarify as needed.

Read more...

Reminder: Podcast on Finding Good Romantic Prospects

Just as a quick reminder, my ninety-minute podcast on finding good prospects for romance and friendship is still available for purchase. You just need to make me an offer that I can't refuse!

You'll find an outline of the podcast, as well as other details, in this post. Here, I thought I'd let one of my listeners, Isaac, speak to the value that he's found in the podcast:

I can't tell you how valuable I've found your podcast on romantic relations! To start, and as you mentioned yourself, it was just as applicable and valuable to more 'ordinary' relations. Simply thinking of the relations you have with people in terms of acquaintances/friends/close friends and whether the time and effort you spend is in line with your values is a powerful tool.

You mentioned the danger of limiting judgment in romance to a purely 'sense of life' level, and I think you struck on the biggest problem most people, myself included, have with romance! Really analyzing your own values and how they mesh, or clash, with others is vitally important in even casual friendships, and not carrying that over to romantic relationships leads, well, nowhere!

And the simplest advice of all, "doing nothing is a recipe for getting nothing!" It's good to be reminded that identifying ourselves as Objectivists doesn't automatically make us immune from the dangers of following our guts over our heads, or being passive! We still have to act, so thank you for your work in applying excellent principles to the actions all too many of us leave to chance!

What can I say to that, other than: YAY! Overall, I've gotten very positive feedback on the podcast, and a number of people told me at OCON that they've been putting my advice to good use.

As I explained in my original post, I'm selling the podcast, but not by the ordinary means of setting a price. Instead, I'm accepting or rejecting offers.

If you want the podcast, fill out the form below, offering whatever you think reasonable. If your offer is satisfactory to me, then I'll accept it. I'll send you a link to the podcast, as well as instructions for payment. If your offer is too low, then I'll reject it. You'll owe me nothing, but you'll get nothing from me.

I won't haggle: you have one chance to make me a good offer. So your offer should represent your judgment of the likely worth of the podcast to you. As with the pledges, I'll happily offer a refund if you're unsatisfied with the podcast, provided that you explain your reasons why. Also, you're welcome to share the podcast with members of your household -- but no one else.


If you have any questions, please feel free to post them in the comments or e-mail me before making an offer.

Update: Oh, lovely! Notice what Kevin Wroblewski wrote in the comments:

I found this podcast very useful in my life. I put it to work at OCON and found that I had Diana's voice in my head many many many times throughout the conference. OCON was FILLED with social situations where I was surrounded by new people (I have always been an introvert when in comes to environments like that) but instead of feeling awkward, I practically instantly felt camaraderie with so many of the people there. Now I am sure a large part of this simply had to do with the nature of the people attending OCON to begin with, but whenever I was standing in conversation with a group of people, I continually would catch myself doing the things Diana points out NOT to do in this podcast and would immediately correct what I was doing. Usually this was involving my body language such as having my arms crossed in front of me when talking to people.

Additionally, I very much noticed OTHER OCON attendees putting Diana's advice in this podcast to work as well and I took note of how effectively it worked for them too! I guess the secret is out!

Thanks, Kevin!

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Final Reminder: Choose Your Own Podcast Adventure

For those of you who might be interested to pledge money for my next podcast, I want to remind you -- one last time -- that I've opened the floor to suggestions for topics. You can submit and review possible topics in that comment thread. Remember, my decision about the topics will be made on the morning of Thursday, June 24th.

I like the topics proposed so far, but I'm open to more ideas! Here are some of the popular topics proposed so far:

• How to deal with irrational and/or altruistic family members.
  
• What's the proper strategy for dealing with tea parties, including how not to sanction their worse elements.
  
• How to deal with interpersonal conflicts, particularly in an intellectual movement.
  
• How to increase the "value-density" of your life.
  
• On the nature of "sense of life," including how to identify your own.

All of those sound interesting to me! If they sound interesting to you, please go hit the "like" button. (You're welcome to endorse more than one topic.) Just please don't propose topics in the comments of this post or via e-mail. I'm trying to gather the data in one place.

Also, remember that my prior pledge-funded podcast on finding good prospects for romance and friendship is available for purchase. Make me an offer!

Read more...

Reminder: Choose Your Own Podcast Adventure

For those of you who might be interested to pledge money for my next podcast, I want to remind you that I've opened the floor to suggestions for topics. You can submit and review possible topics in that comment thread. Remember, my decision about the topics will be made on the morning of Thursday, June 24th. Don't want to wait until the last moment though, because you'll want others to endorse your topic.

So far, I'm delighted with the proposed topics. They include:

• How to deal with irrational and/or altruistic family members.
  
• What's right and wrong with unschooling.
  
• Why rational selfishness precludes predation or exploitation.
  
• What's the proper strategy for dealing with tea parties, including how not to sanction their worse elements.

All of those sound interesting to me! If they sound interesting to you, please go hit the "like" button. (You're welcome to endorse more than one topic.) Just please don't propose topics in the comments of this post or via e-mail. I'm trying to gather the data in one place.

Read more...

For Sale: Podcast on Finding Good Romantic Prospects

Now that my podcast on finding good romantic prospects is safely in the hands of the fine people who generously pledged to make it happen, I'd like to offer it for sale to people who didn't pledge. However, the process will be somewhat unusual, as I explain below.

First, let me tell you about the podcast. I'm very pleased with it, but it wasn't exactly what I expected.

Most obviously, it's ninety minutes long, rather than the promised thirty to sixty minutes. (Bonus!) Somehow, my problem is never that I don't have enough to say. Fancy that!

More importantly, my advice in the podcast applies just as much to seeking out prospects for friendship as it does to seeking out prospects for romance. That's because I think the best opportunities for romantic prospects come from expanding and mining your social network of friends and acquaintances, rather than seeking romance directly. So even if you're already happily married or attached, you're likely to find the podcast of value. Or, as Kelly Elmore said on Twitter: "It should have been entitled Social Advice for Everyone for Every Situation. :)" True!

The basic structure of podcast is as follows:

• Opening remarks
  
• A bit of theory:
  
  • Types of social relationships, visualized as a target
    
  • Major axes of compatibility in relationships
• Practical advice
  
  • Make yourself a good prospect
    
  • Expand your social network
    
  • Engage with other people
    
  • Cultivate your social skills
• Questions and answers from pledgers:
  
  • How can a person get better at evaluating other people's characters when meeting them?
    
  • When should I reveal a psychological problem like bipolar disorder to someone I'm dating?
• Closing remarks

As promised, much of my advice can be put into practice at OCON, or rather, even before that.

Also, one of the themes of my podcast is that you can take rational, purposeful control over your social life, rather than relying on luck. That's what I'll be talking about in my course at OCON in just a few weeks.

As of this very moment, I'm selling the podcast, but not by the ordinary means of setting a price. Instead, I'll be accepting or rejecting your offers.

If you want the podcast, here's what you need to do. Fill out the form below, offering whatever you think reasonable. If your offer is satisfactory to me, then I'll accept it. I'll send you a link to the podcast, as well as instructions for payment. If your offer is too low, then I'll reject it. You'll owe me nothing, but you'll get nothing from me.

I'm not interested in haggling. You'll have one chance to make me a good offer. So your offer should represent your judgment of the likely worth of the podcast to you. As with the pledges, I'll happily offer a refund if you're unsatisfied with the podcast, provided that you explain your reasons why. Also, you're welcome to share the podcast with members of your household -- but no one else.

Why am I using this method, instead of offering the podcast at a fixed price? Basically, I want to see what the podcast is worth to you, just as I did with the pledgers. And I want to be paid on that basis.

Finally, as I mentioned when I solicited pledges, I might offer the podcast for free at some point. Originally, I thought that might be sometime this fall, but now I'll say that it won't be until 2011, if ever. At this point, I just don't know what I'll do, but I wanted to give you fair notice.


If you have any questions, please feel free to post them in the comments or e-mail me before making an offer.

Read more...

Choose Your Own Podcast Adventure

I've got another unusual proposal for you, dear NoodleFood readers and NoodleCast listeners. I want to do another pledge-funded podcast, and you get to help me decide on the topic!

My recent podcast on finding good romantic prospects is safely in the hands of the generous people who pledged to make it happen. I was very gratified by the pledges, and I was pleased with the resulting podcast. It's longer than I expected at ninety minutes. It's also of broader interest, in that almost all my advice applies just as well to finding prospects for friendship as well as for romance.

At present, that podcast is not available to anyone but the pledgers. I will offer it for sale in some fashion later this week. (If you want me to e-mail you when that's available, just drop me an e-mail with that request.)

In the meantime, I want to try another podcast paid for by your pledges -- but this time, I want you to help me decide on the topic. My interests are quite varied, and I'd really like to know what you'd most value from me! I'd prefer to do another practical ethics podcast, but I'm open to other topics too.

It has to be a topic for just one podcast -- as opposed to a whole series like Explore Atlas Shrugged. Again, I'll aim for thirty to sixty minutes. Due to OCON and some other obligations, I won't be able to complete it until early August.

So... If you'd like a podcast on a specific topic, so much so that you'd be willing to pledge money for it, here's what you need to do:

Propose a topic in the NoodleFood comments on this post. (Please don't e-mail me: I want the data gathered all in one place.) Give me a good paragraph or two about what you'd like to hear. You're welcome to propose as many topics as you like -- just make them separate comments.

Also, review the proposals posted by others. If you like someone else's proposal, hit the "like" button for that comment to endorse it. You can also post your own comment with further suggestions, e.g. "Yes, I love the idea of a podcast on Topic X, and I'd want you to focus on Issues A and B."

Please only propose or endorse topics if you think that you might pledge for them. You won't be committed or anything, but I want to cater to the people who value my work enough to pay something for it.

On the morning of Thursday, June 24th, I'll make a decision about the topic of the podcast. I might decide on one topic at that time, then solicit pledges for that podcast. More likely, however, I'll do a run-off between two or three good topics by soliciting pledges for all of them, then only producing the top-pledged podcast. Either way, details will be forthcoming.

Right now, the task at hand is just to propose and endorse podcast topics for me. I'm unbearably curious to see what you want me to talk about! This will be fun fun fun!

Read more...

NoodleCast #34: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Sessions 17 & 18

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapters 7

• Part 3, Chapter 7: This Is John Galt Speaking

Or:

• Pages 1000-1069 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover, break at 1035
  
• Pages 927-993 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback, break at 951

Podcast

Listen Now

103:49 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (48.7 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (47.5 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3: Chapter 7: This Is John Galt Speaking

Section 1 (1000-1069)

• What is Dagny's response to the news that Hank Rearden has quit? What does it mean to her? What does it mean to Jim Taggart, the other looters, and ordinary people? (1000-3)
  
• Why does Hank Rearden send the message that he does to Dagny from the valley? Why is the message so important to Dagny? (1002-3)
  
• Why was Dagny Taggart invited to the radio broadcast? Why does she refuse to participate? (1005-7)

Speech: Overview (1009-1069)

• What is the purpose of John Galt's radio speech? Who is his intended audience? What does he hope to accomplish? (1009-69)
  
• What was Ayn Rand's purpose in writing full text of speech into novel? Why do the readers of the novel need to hear the speech too? (1009-69)
  

Speech: Introduction (1009-1011)

• How does John Galt motivate and intrigue his listeners? What does he tell them that's news to them? (1009-11)

Speech: The Morality of Life (1011-1025)

• Why and how is morality necessary for life, according to Galt? Does man have an automatic knowledge of or desire for survival? Why not? (1012-5)
  
• What is the standard of value? Why? What is the alternative to that standard? How is the contrast concretized in the novel? (1012-15)
  
• What are the three basic axioms? How are they fundamental to thought and life? What role have they played in the events of the novel? (1015-6)
  
• How -- and why -- is a person's use of his mind fundamental to morality? What does it mean to think -- or not? How is the refusal to think different from ignorance? How do Hank Rearden and Robert Stadler exemplify that difference? (1016-8)
  
• What are the basic virtues identified by John Galt? What is the basic meaning of each virtue and how does it promote a person's life and values? What is an example of each virtue in action (and its opposite vice) from the novel? (1018-21)
  
• What is the proper role of emotions in life? How are emotions shaped by choices? How does a person achieve happiness? (1021-2)
  
• What is Galt's view of a person's obligations to others? What does it mean to trade with others in matter and spirit? How has that been dramatized in the novel? (1022-3)
  
• What is the initiation of force? How does that "negate and paralyze [a man's] means of survival"? What examples of that have we seen in the novel?
  (1023-4)

Speech: The Morality of Death (1025-1034)

• What is the doctrine of Original Sin? Why does Galt condemn it? Why does he discuss it? (1025-6)
  
• What is Galt's view of the idea that mind and body are antagonists? What are the moral implications of that view? What characters have illustrated the mind-body split in the novel? (1026-7)
  
• Who are the "mystics of muscle" and the "mystics of spirit"? How are they different? How are they similar? Who are the best examples of these mystics in the novel? (1027)
  
• What does Galt mean by sacrifice? Why does he reject sacrifice as immoral? What is the goal and result of the morality of sacrifice? (1028-9)
  
• How -- and why -- is the morality of sacrifice impossible to practice? How and why does it ultimately demand the sacrifice of virtue to vice? How and why does it poison relationships between people? What events of the novel have dramatized that? (1030-3)
  
• What does Galt think of the ideal of universal brother-love? Why? What is the proper view of love? (1033-4)

(Recommended Break between Sessions 17 and 18)

Speech: The Teachers of the Morality of Death (1034-1047)

• How have the mystics of muscle and mystics of spirit convinced people to adopt the morality of sacrifice? What is their "single holy absolute"? How does that violate the axioms? (1034-7)
  
• What is causality? How is it related to the axiom of identity? How do the mystics of muscle and spirit attempt to deny it? How do they attempt to reverse cause and effects? How is that illustrated in the events of the novel? (1037-8)
  
• How is the mystic like a savage, yet worse? What is the essence of savagery, according to Galt? (1038-45)
  
• What is the relationship between the dictator and the mystic? What does each aim for? Who is their mutual enemy -- and why? How has that been illustrated in the novel? (1044-7)
  
• What is the conspiracy of the mystics? What is their ultimate goal? Why is no compromise with them possible? (1046-7)
  
• Why does John Galt speak at such length about these teachers of the morality of death? Why do Dagny and Galt's other listeners need to know so much about them? (1034-1047)

Speech: Choose the Morality of Life (1047-1069)

• Why does John Galt explain his own choice to go on strike? (1047-8)
  
• Why does Galt directly address the looters? What does he say, and why? What will be their fate? Is that fair? (1048-52)
  
• What is Galt's basic purpose in speaking directly to the people who retain some shred of love for their lives? What is his overall message? What are the major points he covers -- and why? (1052-69)
  
• What is wrong with the view that the moral is opposed to the practical? What are its effects on a person? How has that been illustrated in the novel? Why must people reject it? (1052-4)
  
• What are the other wrong views that people must reject? Why must they reject them to reject the morality of sacrifice? (1054-8)
  
• What advice does Galt offer to people seeking to live by the morality of life? What must they do, in concrete terms? How have those principles been illustrated by the events in the novel? (1058-60)
  
• When the strikers return to the world, what principles will govern their society and government? What is the basis of those principles? What kind of society will they produce? (1060-5)
  
• In a free society, how and why do the more capable people benefit the less capable more than vice versa? How is that illustrated in the novel? What is the common opposing view? (1063-5)
  
• What concrete steps does Galt recommend to his life-loving listeners? How will that benefit the strike? When will the strike end? (1066-8)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

Results: Podcast on Finding Romantic Prospects

I'm delighted to report that enough people have pledged enough money that I will be producing that podcast on finding potential romantic prospects!

Hooray!

My hearty thanks to everyone who pledged. You'll be notified of the private URL by June 10th.

Read more...

Final Reminder: Pay Me to Podcast on Finding Romantic Prospects

It's your last chance to take me up on my offer to produce a podcast on finding potential romantic prospects! You have until noon on June 1st -- just 24 hours -- to pledge. That's when I'll make my decision about whether to produce the podcast or not. If I do, it will be posted by June 10th.

Here's the form for you to make a pledge:

[Form removed because the deadline for pledging has passed.]

A few points to remember:

• If you pledge nothing, you get nothing! I might release the podcast in a few months, likely for a fee. However, I make no promises to people who make no pledges. You must pledge by noon on June 1st, Mountain Time.
  
• You might recall that I promised to answer the questions of the top five pledgers in the podcast. I will do that, provided that I produce the podcast. Right now, that would require pledging at least $50, but I suspect that a bit more will be required by tomorrow at noon. If you have a burning question but you've pledged less than $50, you're welcome to add another pledge on top of your original pledge.
  
• You take no risks whatsoever in pledging money for this podcast. If I don't produce the podcast, you owe me nothing. And if you're unsatisfied with the podcast, you owe me nothing, provided that you explain your reasons.

If you have questions, check the FAQ on my original post.

I'm so excited by this experiment and so pleased by the pledges so far! Now's the time for you to get in on the fun, before it's too late!

Read more...

Reminder: Pay Me to Podcast on Finding Romantic Prospects

I want to remind you of my offer to produce a podcast on finding potential romantic prospects! You have until noon on June 1st to pledge. That's when I'll make my decision about whether to produce the podcast or not. If I do, it will be posted on June 10th.

Remember: If you pledge nothing, you get nothing! I might release the podcast in a few months, likely for a fee. However, I make no promises to people who make no pledges. You must pledge by noon on June 1st, Mountain Time.

Read more...

NoodleCast #33: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 16

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapters 5B-6

• Part 3, Chapter 5: Their Brothers' Keepers (Sections 3-4)
  
• Part 3, Chapter 6: The Concerto of Deliverance

Or:

• Pages 936-999 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 869-927 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

92:49 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (43.7 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (42.5 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3, Chapter 5: Their Brothers' Keepers

Section 3 (936-943)

• How is the economy disintegrating faster than ever? How do Dagny's concerns differ from those in power? (936-9)
  
• What happens in Minnesota with the harvest? Why does it happen? What will its effects be? (939-43)

Section 4 (943-962)

• Why does Dagny attend the meeting with the looters? Why does she think she was invited? How was she wrong? What does she learn about their actual goals and methods? (944-8)
  
• What is Dagny's response to the breakdown of the signal system in the Taggart Terminal? Why is that important? What is her response to the discovery of John Galt among the workers? (949-955)
  
• What is the motive and meaning of John Galt's and Dagny's sexual encounter? What might its consequences be? (955-62)
  
• What is Galt's view of Dagny's affair with Hank Rearden? Why does Galt have that view of it? Why did Galt envy Rearden for that brief moment on seeing him, but only just that brief moment? (958-960)
  
• Why doesn't Dagny want Galt to repair the signal system in the terminal? Why is she still willing to work for the looters? (961-2)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 3, Chapter 6: The Concerto of Deliverance

Section 1 (963-999)

• What is Hank Rearden's attitude toward Rearden Steel now? Why is that significant? (962-6)
  
• What does Hank Rearden's family say to him during their meeting? What do they want from him? What does he learn from that conversation? (968-76)
  
• How and why does Hank Rearden's mother ask him for forgiveness? Why does he refuse? Under what conditions would he have accepted? (970-76)
  
• What does Hank Rearden come to understand about his relationship with Lillian, including why she chose him? What does she reveal about her motives and values? Why is Hank indifferent to her? What does that do to her -- and why? (974-6)
  
• What is the purpose of the Steel Unification Plan? What are the looters counting on? What does Hank Rearden understand about these kinds of schemes from his meeting with the looters? (980-7)
  
• What are the three tumblers that come into place for Rearden during this meeting with the looters? What are the looters counting on? (985-6)
  
• How has Rearden's attitude toward his mills changed as he drives back toward them? How will that enable him to go on strike? (988)
  
• What has the Wet Nurse has done to save the mills? What is so significant about that -- and about his death? What has he learned from Rearden? Why does Rearden respond as he does -- with tenderness toward the Wet Nurse and anger toward his teachers? (989-95)
  
• What has made Hank ready to hear what Francisco had to say, in a way that he wasn't before? What took Hank so long? (998-9)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

Pay Me to Podcast on Finding Romantic Prospects

I've got an unusual proposal for you, my NoodleFood readers and NoodleCast listeners.

In the comments on this post on sex and romance, questions arose about the difficulty of finding good prospects for a lasting, deep, and happy romance. I sketched my view that most people who bemoan the lack of prospects could be doing much more than they are to increase their odds of success. Too many people don't adopt a purposeful approach but instead wait passively... and complain.

In fact, I have a slew of suggestions for people unsatisfied with their romantic prospects. My advice would apply to men and women, gays and straights. Much of it could be used to find worthwhile friends too. It would be particularly aimed at Objectivists, albeit useful for anyone. As I marshaled some of that advice in my head, I thought to myself, "Wow, that would make a great podcast!" And plus, I'd have fun doing it!

The problem is that I've got about twelve other exciting projects calling my name and claiming my time right now. However, I have an idea: if enough of you are interested in this podcast, so interested that you'd pay for it, then I can justify doing it.

So here is my proposal: If you want me to produce this podcast, you can commit to pay me whatever dollar amount it's worth to you. If enough people pledge enough money by noon on June 1st to make it worth my while, then I'll produce the podcast. I'll make it 30 to 60 minutes long, and I'll complete it by June 10th. That's intentionally before OCON or Atlanta's MiniCon since you might want to put my advice to use before and during those conferences. When the podcast is ready, I'll email everyone who committed, you'll send the payment, and I'll send you a private link. If not enough money is committed to make it worth my while then I won't produce the podcast and you'll owe me nothing.

Simple enough, right? I'll add one more incentive. When you pledge, you can include a question that you'd like me to answer. If your pledge is one of the five largest, then I guarantee to address your question.

Here's the form for you to make a pledge:

[Form removed because the deadline for pledging has passed.]

Do you have questions? I've got answers!

How much should I commit?

That's entirely up to you. You should commit whatever amount you'd like to contribute in order to motivate me to produce the podcast and answer your question.

How do I know if the podcast will be any good?

I hope that you've come to appreciate the quality of my work from regularly reading NoodleFood, listening to my NoodleCasts, and so on. For a taste of my approach, you might check out my very popular podcast on choosing a career.

Will anyone know that I've committed?

Your pledge and question will be anonymous. No one but me will know that you pledged, how much you pledged, or whether you asked a question.

What if I change my mind after I pledge?

If you wish to increase your pledge, you can always pledge more. Just submit another pledge to be added to your existing pledges. If you make a mistake in your pledge, you can e-mail me at e-mail me at diana@dianahsieh.com before June 1st. If you want to back out of your pledge... well, I won't have any legal way of enforcing this contract, but if you welch on your bill, you're a schmuck!

When will I find out whether you're doing the podcast or not?

The call for pledges ends at noon on June 1st. I'll e-mail everyone who pledged, as well as post an announcement to NoodleFood, with the news about whether I'll be producing the podcast or not.

How do I pay you?

You'll be able to pay via PayPal, or you can send me a check. (My fees for PayPal are $.30 plus 2.9% percent per transaction.)

Can I share the podcast with anyone else?

You may only share it with other members of your household. Again, I won't have any legal way of enforcing this contract, but if you distribute the link, you're a schmuck!

What if I'm not satisfied with the podcast?

If the podcast doesn't offer you the value you expected, then I will void your pledge and refund any money paid. All that you have to do is e-mail me explaining why you're dissatisfied with the podcast.

If I don't pledge, will I be able to hear the podcast?

Maybe, maybe not. If people don't pledge enough money to make the podcast worth my while, then no one will ever hear it. If people do pledge enough money, I might release it as an ordinary, free NoodleCast... eventually. I wouldn't do that until August, at the earliest. Before then, I might make it available for a price, but I've not decided. Basically, if you don't pledge any money now, before June 1st, then you're risking that you'll never hear it.

Why are you doing this?

I want to know whether and how much others value my work. And I want to be fairly paid for the value I provide. Plus, knowing that people really do value my work -- that they're willing to support it with their dollars -- is hugely motivating! On the other hand, if some endeavor of mine isn't much valued, then I'd appreciate knowing that, so that I can spend my time on other work.

If this experiment works, I might use similar methods to prioritize and produce other potential projects of mine.

What do I do if I have some other question?

Please post it in the comments or e-mail me at diana@dianahsieh.com. I'll update these questions to clarify as needed.

Read more...

NoodleCast #32: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 15

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 1

• Part 3, Chapter 4: Anti-Life
  
• Part 3, Chapter 5: Their Brothers' Keeper (Part A)

Or:

• Pages 864-936 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 802-869 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

80:15 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (37.8 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (36.8 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 4, Chapter 4: Anti-Life

Section 1 (864-885)

• Why does Jim Taggart want to celebrate the upcoming nationalization of D'Anconia Copper?  Why doesn't he want to admit the nature of his satisfaction to himself?  (864-71)
  
• How has Cherryl Taggart changed since her wedding?  What kind of person is she now? What has she learned about Jim? (868-885)
  
• What is Jim Taggart's view of love?  Is it right or wrong?  Why?  (876-7, 881-2)
  
• What are the similarities and differences between Jim's marriage to Cherryl and Lillian's marriage to Hank?  Which is worse?  (873-883)
  
• How and why is Cherryl already destroyed by Jim, when she realizes what kind of person Jim is?  (882-3)

Section 2 (886-892)

• What is Dagny's psychological state now?  What does she think of her choice to leave the valley?  (886-7)
  
• Why does Cherryl visit Dagny?  What kind of support does Dagny offer her?  Why does Dagny offer that support?  (887-92)

Section 3 (892-900)

• How has Lillian Rearden changed in recent months?  What is her psychological state?  What has caused the change? (893-7)
  
• What does Lillian reveal about her understanding of Hank Rearden's virtues -- when she married him and now?  What were her motives in marrying him?  (898-9)
  
• What is the significance of the sex between Lillian and Jim, including the way it begins?  How is it revenge on Hank Rearden?  How is it another Gift Certificate in Lillian's eyes?  (898-900)

Section 4 (900-908)

• Why is Cherryl so shaken by realizing that Jim has slept with another woman?  Why does Jim respond as he does when Cherryl tells him that she knows?  Why is that so unbearable for her? (900-4)
  
• What is Jim's explanation for why he married Cherryl?  Why is she so horrified by that?  (902-4)
  
• What does Cherryl think as she wanders the streets of New York City?  Why doesn't she go to Dagny?  Why can't she start over?  Could she have been saved by the valley?  (904-8)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Chapter 5: Their Brothers' Keeper

Section 1 (909-925)

• How is the transportation system functioning now?  How is that the natural result of the government policies?  What will its future be?  (910-5)
  
• How does Jim react to Dagny's suggestion that the looters give up power and allow the producers to rebuild the country?  Why?  Why does he want to retain power?  (916-7)
  
• Is Jim right or wrong to say that we are our brother's keepers?  Why?  (917-8)
  
• What is the significance of the way in which D'Anconia Copper is nationalized?  What were the looters counting on?  Why do they feel cheated?  (918-20)
  
• What is Dagny's reaction to the destruction of D'Anconia Copper?  Why does she feel that way?  What is Hank Rearden's reaction?  How do their reactions contrast with the reaction of Jim Taggart and other people?  (920-25)
  
• Why is Hank Rearden bored with his work now? (922) What motivates him to keep working?  (923-4)

Section 2 (925-936)

• What is the current state of the world? (925-7)
  
• Why does Philip Rearden want a job from Hank Rearden?  Why does Hank refuse him? (927-32)
  
• What lesson does Hank learn from his divorce from Lillian?  (932-4)
  
• How does the Wet Nurse asking for a job differ from Philip's demand for a job?  What has the Wet Nurse learned from his two years with Hank Rearden? (934-6, 927-32)

Read more...

NoodleCast #31: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 14

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 1

• Part 3, Chapter 3: Anti-Greed

Or:

• Pages 816-863 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 758-802 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

68:08 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (32.1 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (31.2 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3, Chapter 3: Anti-Greed

Section 1 (816-831)

• How does Dr. Ferris manage and manipulate Dr. Stadler at the unveiling of Project X? How -- and why -- does Ferris treat Stadler as he does? (816-31)
  
• What choices does Dr. Stadler face during the unveiling of Project X? Why does he choose as he does? What is his final choice? (816-31)
  
• What is so evil about Dr. Stadler's endorsement of Project X? How will his endorsement affect other people? How will it affect him? (816-31)

Section 2 (831-850)

• What is so striking to Dagny about the world on her return to it? How does the contrast with the valley make her see the world in a new light? (831-3)
  
• What does Dagny tell Eddie about her absence? What is Eddie's state of mind now? (836-8)
  
• What is the Railroad Unification Plan? How does it function? What are its effects? What does it show Dagny about the looters? (840-3)
  
• What is Jim Taggart's response to Dagny's return? What is his view of and approach to the problems of Taggart Transcontinental? (839-46)
  
• How does Lillian attempt to blackmail Dagny into appearing on Bertram Scudder's radio program? What does Lillian reveal about her views and motives in the process? (847-50)

Section 3 (850-863)

• What does Dagny say on Bertram Scudder's radio program? How does it undermine the government and its supporters? (851-4)
  
• Why is Dagny conflicted about what she says on the radio? Why is she not concerned about her reputation as a woman? What is her consolation? (851-4)
  
• What does Hank Rearden say to Dagny on her return to the apartment? What is its meaning and importance? What has Rearden learned since the night that their affair began? (856-61)
  
• What is Hank Rearden's attitude toward Dagny's final choice of John Galt? Is he right to be so calm and happy? (860-1)
  

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

NoodleCast #30: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 13

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 1

• Part 3, Chapter 2: The Utopia of Greed

Or:

• Pages 752-815 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 699-758 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

76:38 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (36.1 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (35.1 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3, Chapter 2: The Utopia of Greed

Section 1 (752-761)

• Why does John Galt not want to hear what Ragnar Danneskjöld has to say about Hank Rearden? (756-7)
  
• What kind of lesson does Ragnar seek to teach the world by his piracy?  Given the risks, is he sacrificing himself for the cause? Why do the other strikers disapprove?  Who is right? (757-8)
  
• Why does Dagny want to earn her keep as Galt's cook and maid?  What does the work -- and the wages in gold -- mean to her?  (760-1)

Section 2 (761-769)

• What does Dagny's apparent death mean to the outside world, and to Hank Rearden?  What does she think and feel about that? (761-3)
  
• Why is communication between the valley and the outside world forbidden during the vacation month?  Should Dagny have asked for a special exception to tell Hank that she is safe?  Why doesn't she do so? (763-4, 769)
  
• Why did Francisco go on strike?  How was Dagny the final argument for doing so, even though that meant giving her up?  Are his reasons selfish or selfless? (765-7)
  
• Why does Francisco accept Dagny's taking Hank as a lover?  Why does he say that she still loves him?  In what way does she love him?  (767-8)

Section 3 (769-781)

• Why and how will Francisco be richer producing one pound of copper in the valley than in producing tons of copper in the outside world?  What does that say about the value of production and wealth?  (771)
  
• Why is Dagny agitated over John Galt's routine absences from home in the evening?  Of her two worries, which is more severe -- and why? (773)
  
• Why do Dagny and Galt feel such strong sexual desire for each other -- yet refrain from consummating it?  Would it be wrong at this point -- and if so, why? (775-81)

Section 4 (781-791)

• How and why does Richard Halley have more in common with the businessmen in the valley than with the artists in the outside world?  What is the commonality between art and business? (782-4) 
  
• What is the attitude of the mother toward the raising of her children?  How does it differ from the mothers in the outside world?  (784-5)
  
• How are Dr. Akston's three pupils -- John, Ragnar, and Francisco -- both normal men and exceptional? (786) What were the critical points about their education?  (786-90)
  
• How does Dr. Akston explain the roots of Dr. Stadler's moral decay?  What choices did Stadler face?  Where did he choose wrongly?  Why is Stadler the most guilty?  How has he made the world in his own image? (789-91)

Section 5 (791-802)

• Why is Dagny so excited by Francisco's mine?  Why does that excitement collapse?  (791-4)
  
• Why did Galt give Francisco a chance with Dagny when she went to the cabin at Woodstock?  Why won't he do so later, in the valley?  (795-7)
  
• Why does Francisco want Dagny to stay with him for the week?  Why does Dagny want Galt to decide?  What is the significance of his decision?  What would have been the consequences for Dagny, Galt, and Francisco if Galt decided other than he did?  How would that act of self-sacrifice have been faking reality?  (796-8)
  
• How does Dagny react to Hank Rearden's plane? Why does she react that way?  (799-802)
  
• What is Dagny's basic conflict about whether to stay in the valley or not?  (801-2)

Section 6 (802-813)

• Why does Dagny choose to return to the world?  What does she still have left to learn?  (806-7, 811-2)
  
• How does Francisco react to learning about Galt and Dagny's feelings for each other?  Why?  (809-10)
  
• Why is John Galt going back to the world?  Is he right to do so?  (809-13)

Section 7 (813-815)

• How does Dagny feel about returning to the world? (813-5)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

NoodleCast #29: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 12

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 1

• Part 3, Chapter 1: Atlantis

Or:

• Pages 699-751 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 651-699 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

64:55 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (30.6 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (29.8 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 3, Chapter 1: Atlantis

Section 1 (701-733)

• What does Dagny see in John Galt on first meeting him? Is it possible for a person to see that much in another on first meeting? (701-2)
  
• What critical information about Galt does Dagny learn about him on their way to his house and then at the house? What does she think of him? (701-16)
  
• What is the attitude of the inhabitants of the valley toward their past work in the world and their present work in the valley? In what way are all the strikers simply "living" in the valley? (713-27)
  
• Why does Mulligan's car rent for a rate? Why doesn't Mulligan allow Galt to use it as a courtesy? (714)
  
• Why is Dagny penniless in the valley? Why won't the strikers sell her any gold? (717-8, 727-8)
  
• Why is Dagny suprised that Andrew Stockton ruined a competitor? What does that tell us about the values of the valley? Why do the strikers regard competition as a positive good? (724-5)
  
• What is Dagny's response to seeing the powerhouse? Why does it matter so much to her? (730-3)
  
• What is Galt's oath? What is its meaning and significance to him and the other strikers? (731)

Section 2 (733-751)

• What does Dagny want from the other industrialists in the valley? Should she care about their approval? (734-6)
  
• Why does Dagny think that the strikers have given up? Why don't they think that? (737-8)
  
• What is the essential meaning of and motive for the strike? (738-41) Why did each of the men at the dinner party go on strike? Were they right to do so? How are their stories similar? How are they different? (741-46)
  
• Why can't Dagny embrace the valley, even though she has found everything that she ever wanted in it? Is Dagny's choice either-or, as John Galt says? (748-9) Is Galt right to say that Dagny must destroy him if she chooses the world? (750-1)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

NoodleCast #28: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 11

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapter 8 - Part 2, Chapter 9

• Part 2: Chapter 9: The Face without Pain or Fear or Guilt
  
• Part 2: Chapter 10: Sign of the Dollar

Or:

• Pages 633-697 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 591-650 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

79:51 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (37.6 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (36.6 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 2: Chapter 9: The Face without Pain or Fear or Guilt

Section 1 (633-648)

• What is Dagny's state of mind when she returns to work after the tunnel disaster? How and why has her attitude toward her work changed? (633-4)
  
• What is the basic disagreement between Dagny and Francisco? How does that relate to the "man of ability"? How and why are Francisco and Dagny enemies now? (635-7)
  
• What does the revelation of Hank and Dagny's affair mean to Francisco? Why does it mean so much to Francisco? Why is there such a dangerous potential for violence between the two men? (638-9)
  
• Why is Dagny driven by a sense of justice to reveal to Hank that her first lover was Francisco? Why is that a worse blow to him than his slap of Francisco? (641-2) Why is their sex after so violent? What momentous choice does Hank face? (642-3)
  
• Why has Quentin Daniels quit? What does Dagny want him to do instead -- and why? (644-5)

Section 2 (648-653)

• What is Eddie's response to his discovery that Hank and Dagny are lovers? Why does he respond as he does? Why does he lie to Dagny? (650, 652-3)
  
• What critical information does Eddie reveal to the railroad worker? How does the worker respond to the news about the motor -- and why? How does he respond to the news about Dagny's relationship with Hank -- and why? (652-3)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 10: The Sign of the Dollar

Section 1 (654-672)

• What is Dagny's attitude toward the world and toward her work now? How and why has it changed since the scene when we met her? (654-6, 12-17)
  
• How does Dagny respond to the tramp, Jeff Allen? Why? What does his initial conversation with her reveal about the state of the world? (656-60)
  
• What is the basic story of the 20th Century Motor Company? What is the moral principle on which it operated? What does the story reveal about the real-life effects thereof on the company's products, profits, employees, and community? Does it matter that it was voluntarily enacted -- and how so or not? (660-72)
  
• Why did the workers of the 20th Century Motor Company support the scheme of the Starnes heirs? Are those the main reasons why people support altruist-collectivist schemes? What were the motives of the Starnes heirs themselves? (666-8)

Section 2 (672-697)

• What is the response of the passengers to the frozen train? How and why are Jeff Allen and Owen Kellogg different? What is Dagny's response to the frozen train and its passengers? (673-679)
  
• How does Dagny interact with the night dispatcher in Bradshaw to get the Comet moving again? Why is that necessary? How does that differ from her dealings with the crew during the signal light outage? (685-8, 12-18)
  
• What is the significance of the fact that Dagny has so little to do in the world if anything happens to her plane? What does she think of the world now? What matters to her? (690-7)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Whole Part

• What is the significance of the title of this part?

Read more...

NoodleCast #27: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 10

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapter 7 - Part 2, Chapter 8

• Part 2: Chapter 7: Moratorium on Brains
  
• Part 2: Chapter 8: By Our Love

Or:

• Pages 567-632 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 531-591 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

67:38 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (31.9 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (31.0 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 2: Chapter 7: Moratorium on Brains

Section 1 (567-571)

• Who is Clifton Locey?  What kind of person is he?  (568-9)
  
• What is Eddie Willers' state of mind while Dagny is at the cabin?  What is happening at Taggart Transcontinental? (567-71)

Section 2 (571-584)

• What is Hank Rearden's state of mind after signing the Gift Certificate?  What is his attitude toward Lillian and toward his work? (571-2)
  
• What is Rearden's view of Ragnar?  Why does he feel conflicted about him?  How does he express that in action?  (573-84)
  
• By what principles does Ragnar operate as a pirate?  What is his purpose?  Is he immoral?  Is he foolish?  What are the major effects of his piracy?  (575-81)

Section 3 (584-607)

• Why does the tunnel disaster happen? How does each person's thinking and actions contribute to it? Who could have stopped it? Why didn't they stop it? (584-607)
  
• What responsibility to the train passengers bear for the tunnel disaster?  How do their ideas lead to the crash?  Do they deserve to die?  (605-7)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 8: By Our Love

Section 1 (608-622)

• What is Dagny's state of mind at the cabin?  What orders does she give herself? How and why does she struggle with them? (608-12)
  
• In her conversation with Francisco, what does Dagny think are her basic alternatives?  What has she yet to learn?  What are the basic points that Francisco attempts to explain to Dagny?  (618-20)
  
• How does Dagny react to the news of the tunnel disaster?  Why does that event drive her to return to the world?  (620-2)

Section 2 (622-632)

• What is Jim Taggart's response to the tunnel disaster?  What does that say about his character and state of mind?  (622-7)
  
• How and why does Eddie Willers stand up to Jim in refusing to tell him where Dagny is?  Why is he so distraught when Dagny returns?  (624-6)
  
• What does Dagny say to Hank about her return?  What does she mean?  (631-2)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

NoodleCast #26: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 9

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapter 5 - Part 2, Chapter 6

• Part 2: Chapter 5: Account Overdrawn
  
• Part 2: Chapter 6: Miracle Metal

Or:

• Pages 496-566 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 466-531 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

81:14 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (38.3 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (37.2 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 2: Chapter 5: Account Overdrawn

Section 1 (496-517)

• What is the state of the world by February 15th?  What are the causes of the ever-faster decline?  How and why are people at the mercy of nature?  How and why do the leaders in industry and politics respond as they do?  (496-501)
  
• Who is Mr. Weatherby?  What is his purpose at the Taggart Transcontinental board meeting?  How and why do the board members treat him as they do?  (502-11)
  
• Why does Dagny refuse to express any opinions about what Taggart Transcontinental should do?  Why does the board want her to kill the John Galt Line?  Why are they unwilling to do it themselves?  (506-11)
  
• What lesson does Francisco want Dagny to draw from the story of Nat Taggart's battle to build the railroad?  Does she draw that lesson?  What does he learn about her state of mind?  (513-5)

Section 2 (517-521)

• Why do Dagny Taggart and Hank Rearden want to be present at the last run of the John Galt Line?  What does the closed Marsh factory mean to Dagny?  (518-9)

Section 3 (521-525)

• How do James Taggart and Lillian Rearden interact in this lunch meeting?  What does the meeting accomplish for them? (521-4)
  
• What is Lillian's plan for Hank Rearden?  How does she intend to trap him with her gift of flowers?  What was her expected versus unexpected opportunity?  (524-5)

Section 4 (525-531)

• Why is Lillian so shocked and dismayed to discover that Dagny Taggart is Hank Rearden's mistress?  What does she grasp about its significance?  Why does she insist that he give her up?  Why does he refuse?  (526-9)
  
• What does Hank realize about his own prior views on hearing Lillian's comments about Dagny?  Why is that significant? (530)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Part 2: Chapter 6: Miracle Metal

Section 1 (532-549)

• What is the purpose of the meeting between these men -- Mouch, Lawson, Taggart, Thompson, Boyle, Ferris, and Kinnon? What do they reveal about themselves?  How are they similar to and different from one another? (532-49)
  
• What is the content of Directive 10-289?  What is the purpose and likely effects of each point?  Why is it so evil? (538-9)
  
• Why are the looters concerned about what Rearden might do?  What could he do to them and by what means? (547-8)

Section 2 (549-554)

• Why does Dagny resign immediately in response to Directive 10-289? Why can't Eddie Willers follow, even thought he wants to do so? (552-3)

Section 3 (554-566)

• What is the response to Directive 10-289 at Rearden's mills?  In particular, why does Tom Colby quit?  Why does the Wet Nurse want to help Rearden to break the law?  (554-6)
  
• What does Rearden learn about himself and the looters in his conversation with Dr. Ferris about the Gift Certificate?  (559-66)
  
• Why does Rearden choose to sign the Gift Certificate?  Is he right to do so?  Why or why not?  (565-6)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...

NoodleCast #25: Explore Atlas Shrugged, Session 8

These discussion questions and podcast were prepared by Diana Hsieh for ExploreAtlasShrugged.com for people interested in creating their own Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, as well as for anyone wishing to study the novel in more depth. They may be freely used for the study and discussion of Atlas Shrugged, provided that this paragraph remains intact in any reproduction.

Readings

Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapter 3 (Part B) - Part 2, Chapter 4

• Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail (Part B)
  
• Part 2: Chapter 4: The Sanction of Victim

Or:

• Pages 438-495 in the larger Hardcover or Softcover
  
• Pages 412-465 in the smaller Mass Market Paperback

Podcast

Listen Now

79:27 minutes

Download This Episode

• Enhanced M4A File (37.4 MB)
  
• Standard MP3 File (36.4 MB)

Learn More

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, also available in hardcover
  
• Essays on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, edited by Robert Mayhew
  
• Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups of Front Range Objectivism
  
• AtlasShrugged.com, produced by by the Ayn Rand Institute

Discussion Questions

(Note: The listed page numbers are for the larger edition, softcover or hardback.)

Part 2: Chapter 3: White Blackmail

Section 4 (438-440)

• What kind of stress makes a person "vulnerable" to the destroyer? (439)

Section 5 (440-447)

• How is Ken Danagger changed when Dagny meets him?  Does she have any chance of reversing his decision?  Why not? (443-7)

Section 6 (447-460)

• How does Hank Rearden respond to Ken Danagger's quitting?  Why can't he blame or follow Danagger? (448-9)
  
• What is the basic point of Francisco's interrogation of and then speech to Rearden? What does Rearden learn from that? (451-6)
  
• Why does Francisco respond the way that he does to the break-out at the mills?  How is that response contrary to his aims?  Why can't Francisco continue his conversation with Hank after that?  (456-60)
  
• Why does Hank Rearden risk his life to save Francisco during the break-out? Is that altruistic? Why or why not? (458)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter? 

Part 2: Chapter 4: The Sanction of the Victim

Section 1 (461-475)

• How has Hank Rearden's attitude toward and treatment of his family changed?  How -- and why -- has it remained the same?  (461-71)
  
• Why does Lillian barrage Hank with guilt? What does she want him to think, feel, and do? What flaw does Hank see in that plan? (464-6)
  
• What does Philip say to offend Hank? How -- and why -- does Hank respond? How is that moral progress for Hank? How does Philip (and the rest of his family) respond to Hank? (467-70)
  
• Why does Eddie wish to disavow Hank Rearden's trial as not being in his name?  How does Hank respond? Why? (473)
  
• How -- and why -- does Hank have a more meaningful Thanksgiving with Dagny than with his family?  (474-5)

Section 2: (475-484)

• What is Rearden's basic strategy in the trial?  What moral principles does he appeal to? To what extent is he successful?  What does he learn? (476-82)

Section 3 (484-495)

• How do people respond to the trial of Hank Rearden?  How do they reveal their own moral principles in those responses?  (484-5)
  
• Why is Hank concerned by Francisco's apparent pursuit of mindless pleasures, particularly sex? What does Hank learn from the discussion?  How is sex related to economics? (489-93)
  
• Why does Francisco refuse to prevent the sinking of the copper shipment?  Why is he tempted to do so? Why does Hank feel so betrayed?  Should he be?  (494-5)

Whole Chapter

• What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

Read more...