The quote stems from Ayn Rand's Fountainhead, a 1943 novel that still polarizes today. I like novels that make me think and want to discuss - this one most definitely does.
I'm with Roark on the need for people to be able to think and act independently. While I see the merits of collectivism, I think we stand more of a risk of smothering the creators than we do of harming collaboration. Look at corporations - mostly infested with parasitical paper-pushers. Process monkeys who would rather kill visionary innovations and value at scale for the sake of keeping their pointless non-jobs.
That’s the thing - it’s not either or, it’s both. People like Roark are essential. And it will always be tough for them - without them, no progress. The problem is with exceptionalism - that way too many think that they are that special - most are not and never will be. And that delusion is entirely unhealthy for the individual and the collective.
In my view, we have a crisis of mediocrity and lack of courage to think or act individually not exceptionalism or too many individuals acting creatively.
I don't see that. There are countless creative and courageous people. And what you call a crisis of mediocrity (which I also don't see - maybe I just look it at more positively) could be a positive direction, one of contentment.
I see many creative and courageous people too. I was referring to corporations (as Cary Grant does in The Fountainhead). Creatives there are definitely outnumbered and on purpose. Which would be fine as long as everybody respects each other and the creatives are allowed to create - unfortunately most not the case.
I'm with Roark on the need for people to be able to think and act independently. While I see the merits of collectivism, I think we stand more of a risk of smothering the creators than we do of harming collaboration. Look at corporations - mostly infested with parasitical paper-pushers. Process monkeys who would rather kill visionary innovations and value at scale for the sake of keeping their pointless non-jobs.
That’s the thing - it’s not either or, it’s both. People like Roark are essential. And it will always be tough for them - without them, no progress. The problem is with exceptionalism - that way too many think that they are that special - most are not and never will be. And that delusion is entirely unhealthy for the individual and the collective.
In my view, we have a crisis of mediocrity and lack of courage to think or act individually not exceptionalism or too many individuals acting creatively.
I don't see that. There are countless creative and courageous people. And what you call a crisis of mediocrity (which I also don't see - maybe I just look it at more positively) could be a positive direction, one of contentment.
I see many creative and courageous people too. I was referring to corporations (as Cary Grant does in The Fountainhead). Creatives there are definitely outnumbered and on purpose. Which would be fine as long as everybody respects each other and the creatives are allowed to create - unfortunately most not the case.