Cliches

"I need real life examples of Howard Roark."

If everyone waited for examples then there will be no creations! Everyone will wait for some other guy to prove things. After reading the Fountainhead, you have a goal.
Problems come when:
A.Your goal is not clear
B. Your goal is clear but the method to achieve that Goal is not clear.

And when such problems arise, you want some examples. When you have examples, life become easy! Maybe a guy will write a self-help book on " How to be an Objectivist in 15 days!"
After meeting some people I pray everyday that Ms. Rand has a second life and she writes a self help book.Believe me, that book will be a Bestseller. The Reason? Everybody wants everything to be like Maagi Two minute noodles [Instant Success].

"I don't say that I won't do a thing or change my beliefs, if I don't get an example. But examples help, like reading Fountainhead made my beliefs stronger in my ways. ."

I don't think I'm an Objectivist because I read Fountainhead. Reason and Ethics are something that I valued before reading it. Do you think the character of Roark is something new? I don't think so. He is just a combination of everything that a man should be! So Roark is more of an Idea for me. Or you can say a concept.
Now having examples is always a plus point. But just because you don't have them, doesn't mean that the theory is impossible!
You will say that you have not met a Roark in your life. Or to be more clear: You have seen parts of Roark's personality in many people but not the whole package in one person.
There are billions of people living here. How can you prove that there isn't any?
A person like Roark doesn't seek any self advertisements..He only enjoys creating things and works behind the scenes! Therefore, He is never in the limelight.


"Roark cannot be real."

Roark looks complicated because Fountainhead is a fictional book. Ms. Rand had to reach a diverse groups of readers. Not everyone enjoys reading The Virtue of Selfishness you know!
To prove our points we have to start a reality show called " Kaun hain asli Objectivist?" and have hidden cameras!
A true objectivist doesn't need to prove anything to anyone.Objectivism is just a word and Roark is just a name. Why a word and a name means so much to us? Because we are weak and we need to remind ourselves that some lady had written a book which says that what I think is actually possible! I need a book to make sure that some other person actually thinks that my ideas are not weird.

" What if Roark had a physically disabled sister and a father who needs Heart Surgery?"

I will try my best to do whatever I can within the boundary of my principles. If there is no right way, then I'm afraid I cannot help my family. This sounds preposterous.
Everyone is an Objectivist during Summer Vacations (because the only thing you have to do is eat, watch movies and sleep).
Also, If I have adopted some philosophy I will simply practice it. I don't have to preach. Atleast philosophy shouldn't be advertised and marketed. And Philosophy is not a contest.

"When I was 19, I had the same convictions."

Yeah? Then meet me after few years when I'll be facing the "real" world. But how will I prove things? Only way is having hidden cameras!

" Writing here is not preaching?"

Maybe it is. One day I will delete this.

P.S. These were some posts from an Orkut Community.

@ Someone

Today is another one of those "days." Human Beings have days for Everything. Whatever. So,Its Your Day. You are expecting me to write a blog on how much I love you? Or maybe Some Poetry? Or you expect some Gifts? If you are expecting such things then I'm Sorry. As always you'll be disappointed. I can write this in some other way..Maybe in some Fairy Tale form..decorate it with adjectives, whine a little to get 45 Plus Comments sympathizing with me. I can do that. But no one reads this Space anymore. The reasons being repetitive themes and Blog Hoarding (A Self Invented Term..I don't think there is a need for any explanation) . Anyways I don't feel the need to market this space or myself anymore. What am I doing? I don’t have any ounce of self-respect left to realize that I'm making a fool of myself in the public..Maybe I get a Personal Satisfaction when I do such things..

So by default, I must Love You,Right? I have tried doing this for 19 years. And now I give Up. I'm a Sinner. Yes a Sinner, because I asked you " Why?."

I asked You: "Give Me a Reason..Why Should I love You?." To this you come up with Bollywood Style Statement: "Love doesn't have Reasons." This is a ridiculous statement! Can You Love anyone without a reason? I can't. Even if you love a Bank Robber, you have some reason.

You say: You have to love me because I brought you into this world!
What a reason! I would have come here anyway! That is not a reason at all!

You say: You must love me because I have given you education and fulfilled all your demands..So you are asking me to love you for the Financing Part?. Love is a Life Insurance Policy with extra benefits? Or a Loan taken from a Bank? I wish people see the difference between "this" relationship and a relationship between an insurance company and the policy holder.
Then you come up with another statement : You should love me, because I Love You!
This is what I can't do! You don’t know the meaning of love you say. Maybe I don’t. But I know one thing: The word Love should’nt be used so casually. Like “Cool” and “Sexy.” Like “Awesome” and “Rocking.” Yeah I sound like some Goddamn Preacher. My love is not on sale for some charity auction..At least Love should’nt be used as a Charity...I'm not here for social service..For Love, some conditions have to be fulfilled..
But You'll say: "Love is Unconditional"
I say its Crap! I will kill someone just because he insulted me. Will you come and fight the case for me?
But I found a Valid reason. You have potential. Yes, like every Human you too have it. Since you are who you are, I decided to give you time. We all need time. But your potential is like an Expired Warranty Card. I keep roaming around Maybe’s , Someday’s, etc etc. How long shall I wait?

Have you ever played a Chess Game? There comes a situation when you have just a King left..and your opponent has many. You fool around..You Keep on moving your King..Forward,Backward, Right and left. I have no idea why I’m using this Example. Maybe you know what I'm talking about..

This is not an attempt to change anyone. You can’t love people sometimes. There are people in this world whom you can't love or hate. And you know what? Its OK. I feel free. I don’t have any guilt. I walk on, loving myself. And I hope that some other Soul will not write stuff like this for me in the future! But you never know…

This is just another stupid day. The sun rose in the east and it will set in the west.

Yourself at Sale: Price Rs........

"The competition has taken an unexpected turn. You guys have to change your strategy. For God's sake forget about the Serious Stuff that you guys do. Please. Its the Department's reputation at stake. If you guys lose then our department will lose its popularity. So, please make your skit humorous. Impress the judges and the audience. Give them what they want and not what you want."
- Your Law Professor

These were the words written by our law professor during our competition. She wanted us to sell ourselves.
I'm a manufacturer. I produce a product. I just go and communicate to others that I've made it. I don't go around shouting that I've made it. Take it or leave it.I only tell you who I am. No extra Mirch Masala.
Lets take an example: Mr A and Mr B go for an interview. The Interviewer asks both of them:
" Why do you want to join our organization? "
Mr A replies:
" Sir, I have done My MBA in so and so field. You give me salary and freedom for showing my creativity and I in turn will give you my service."
Mr B replies:
" Sir, I have done My MBA in so and so field. Right from my childhood, I dreamed of being in the this sector. I'm a people's person. I want my universe to revolve around people. Just like you sir. I have heard so many praises about you and your organization sir. The word organization is very small. The word should have been temple........"
Now 9 times out of 10, Mr B will get the cake as he has marketed and sold himself.
The above example was about selling yourself. The things that you create: Is it necessary that you sell them?
Will you make a product in spite of knowing that your product will be not accepted by the mass public?

Taare Zammen Par was a hit. It was liked by the masses and the matured section of Society which appreciates good cinema. Its one of those rare movies. But If You'll show an art movie to typical Bollywood fans then 95 percent of them will hate it..People will run to watch a Yash Chopra movie instead of watching a good Off-beat movie by a bright young director.

We face a similar situation everyday when we're preparing for our presentations. Luckily till date we were liked and appreciated by almost everyone. But will we compromise if people don't like our stuff from today? What is We fail again and again? Will the principle change its color?

Will we mould our presentations in such a way that the audience is impressed?
The Answer Is NO.
Because the items for sale increase everyday:
Today: Your presentation on sale
Profit: The trophy of course, and yeah the admiration

Tomorrow: Your individuality on sale
Profit: You fit into the society and lick their shoes

Day after tomorrow: Your values on sale..
Profit: No ethics and values..which means the bride called Success is coming soon!!
And you have totally sold yourself to them.

I don't want those type of profits. I don't mind being that Old painting which never got sold because no one understood it. Its better than someone else telling you how to draw..which colors should be used..so that the painting is liked by the public.

P.S. We tore that piece of paper that the professor gave us into pieces.