Alex's comment on Philip's post

          I definitely agree with this, Philip. This book is basically a way for Rand to share her philosophy with everyone. On the inside back cover she even writes this. The entire story led up to Galt’s speech, but the story wasn’t even really necessary. To me, it seems like filler so she can get to his speech. I totally agree that she could’ve just published Galt’s speech and this would have said everything she wants to say. I liked this book as I read it and I agreed with many of Rand’s points. I have always disagreed with welfare systems and people feeling entitled to other people’s money. However, I think Rand’s views are way too extreme. She is so close minded and I think is a product of the extreme  government of the Soviet Union from which she came. Other author’s like Orwell do an excellent job of warning against the dangers of socialism and communism, without including their own extreme views. Rand draws the reader in and makes her beliefs very clear. In the context of this story, they make sense, but in the present reality it just seems crazy. Neither extreme socialism or her views could work, there needs to be a balance. Her extreme everybody for themselves model existed for thousands of years, when people lived as nomads and killed each other over minor disagreements. She doesn’t realize that going extreme in either direction will result in a dystopia.