Objectivist Roundup

Russian Father Frost & Snowgirl

Welcome to the New Years Eve edition of objectivist round up. What have you been up to this holiday break?  I come from Russia where Christmas, predictably, was not celebrated, but New Year's was the most special holiday of the year.  Interestingly, traditions surrounding New Year's mirrored the American Christmas very closely.  Instead of Santa Clause, a character from religious stories, we had Father Frost, an old man with a white beard living at the North Pole and together with his daughter, Snowgirl, bringing kids presents. We had a New Year's tree, decorated in much the same way you see in this country, and presents were placed under it. It was also common to hire Father Frost to come to the house and for days approaching New Year's you saw Father Frosts wandering the city, going home to home and making kids delighted with their presence.  I also remember the first time my parents decided I was old enough and failed to hire me a Father Frost. I whined the whole evening, when is Father Frost coming? Finally, my dad decided to solve the dilemma by dressing up as Father Frost himself. I saw through the rouse  quickly and was extremely disappointed...

Russian New Year's tree

As a parent, I decided to avoid the whole thing and have Santa Clause be a fairy tale (a good one!) from the start, with the important parts of Christmas celebration coming from family, love and togetherness. At least that was the hope. The results? On Christmas eve my five-year-old told his aunt in hushed tones: "Aunt Angie, I won't tell my cousins, there is no such thing as Santa Clause. Because I know it is the truth, and I don't need to tell them, because I am right." Ugh... Nonetheless, everyone was grateful as I offered no guarantees of such benevolence!


Martin Lindeskog presents EGO: MORRIS THE CAT REQUIESCAT IN PACE posted at EGO, saying, "I miss Morris the cat. "Requiesce CAT in pace." Listen to the answers to the questions on Dr. Leonard Peikoff's podcast: What was the name of Ayn Rand's cat? Did she talk to it?"


Darius Cooper presents U.S. Economy: Federal Debt- How big is it? posted at Practice Good Theory, saying, "I put together a few graphs to show the size of the U.S. debt (excluding "entitlements" for this post)."


Tony White presents Post 3: Repaying a Teacher: Peikoff’s Horizontal Additions to the Objectivist World View posted at Peripatetic Thoughts, saying, "A tribute Leonard Peikoff's four major additions to the Objectivist world view. Includes a discussion of the connection between Ayn Rand and Ancient Greek man-worship."


Rachel Miner presents Finding Objectivism posted at The Playful Spirit, saying, "Best of 2011: This is the story of my traumatic discovery of Objectivism while I was steeped in religious Jewish culture and visiting concentration camps in Poland. It was so life changing and I can now look back on my honest response to those new ideas with pride. I was 17, yet I was so ideologically devoted to Judaism, it still took me about three years to integrate the results of this experience."


Joseph Kellard presents The American Individualist: Photos: Rockefeller Center at Christmas posted at The American Individualist, saying, "I posted some photos I took that capture the spectacular that is Christmas at Rockefeller Center (and surrounding areas). Enjoy!"


Diana Hsieh presents Civility in the Election Season posted at NoodleFood, saying, "The 2012 election season is already contentious, and here's my policy on maintaining civility."


Rational Jenn presents I am a Productive Mommy posted at Rational Jenn, saying, "I've read about and heard many critiques about my current profession--a stay-at-home full-time parent. In February 2011, I wrote a post that addresses some of these critiques and explains why I think parenting is and should be a selfish, productive endeavor."


Santiago and Kelly Valenzuela presents How's This for Assimilation? posted at Mother of Exiles, saying, "Corrections to this post: I miscarried earlier this year, but I'm pregnant again. My new due date is in June. Also, I don't think assimilation should be a requirement for immigrants and is ultimately unimportant in the immigration debate. Obviously, assimilation in some areas, such as language, would be in the best interest of an immigrant, but that's their choice and it's their life, therefore, it should be of no concern to the rest of us."


Santiago and Kelly Valenzuela presents Who "Pulls Their Own Weight"? posted at Mother of Exiles, saying, "Santiago takes on a common immigration myth and gets to the real fact of the matter."


Santiago and Kelly Valenzuela presents Marxist Economics in the Immigration Debate posted at Mother of Exiles, saying, "Santiago exposes the Marxist economics Conservatives like to use in the immigration debate."


Kelly Elmore presents Reepicheep's Coracle: My Birth Story, Told For the First Time After Seven Years posted at Reepicheep's Coracle, saying, "I chose this post for several reasons. First, I think it is the most powerful piece of writing from this year's blogging. Second, it was the beginning of one of my big triumphs of 2011, moving past pain into healing. This is the year when I became okay after Livy's birth. This was my year of deliverance."


Paul Hsieh presents My iPad and My Hip Fracture posted at NoodleFood, saying, "My "thank you" to Steve Jobs and Apple for their great products."


C.W. presents The Right Way to Solve the Entitlement Problem posted at Krazy Economy, saying, "Why is this my favorite? Well, the subject matter had to do with actually moving toward capitalism and applying Objectivism, rather than discussing principles. I want to revise it some. But on the whole, it is a good efort for a journeyman economist, I think."


Roderick Fitts presents Induction of Aristotle’s Theory of Four Causes posted at Inductive Quest, saying, "One of my best essays on the progression of thinking Aristotle engaged in to induce his theory of four causes--material, efficient, formal, and final."


Roderick Fitts presents Induction of "Reason is Man's Only Means of Gaining Knowledge" posted at Inductive Quest, saying, "My first inductive Objectivism essay without using the "Objectivism Through Induction" course as my training wheels. Enemies of induction, here I come!"


Jenn Casey and Kelly Elmore present Podcast #17: Brainstorming a Parenting Problem posted at Cultivating the Virtues, saying, "One of our favorite podcasts this year features an unscripted brainstorming and problem-solving session about a parenting problem."


David Baucom presents The Ballad of Gary Johnson posted at Cyrano Rises, saying, "To be published in the upcoming January issue of Charlatan Magazine, my article about the campaign and ideas of Gary Johnson and their cultural reception. Draws upon my Q&A sessions and my TOS interview. Written for a mainstream, not Objectivist, audience."

Martin Lindeskog presents "ANNUAL BLOG REPORT IX" posted at EGO saying "I have now been blogging for nine years. Please send me suggestions on how I should celebrate my 10th blogiversary in 2012!"


Trey Givens presents "ALL PEOPLE ARE STUPID AND THEY SUCK AND ARE DUMB AND I HATE THEM ALL FOREVER!" posted at Trey Givens saying "I maintain my optimism in humanity by staying away from it..."


That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of objectivist round up using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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Jealousy and envy

Alex and I had our Taikwan Do belt tests yesterday, him receiving the next, Yellow, belt, me skipping over it and getting Senior Yellow,  our paths divergent for the first time.

I had fretted much about how to talk to Alex prior to the event.  As I predicted, he was very upset, stating that we should be doing it 'together', that he was extremely unhappy that I would have a different belt from his, and shedding some tears.

Setting it aside for a few days, I set out to explain the general concept. We talked at length, without reference to the situation at our martial arts class, about a person's achievements being his own, that his challenge being only to give his own best.  In addition, we spoke about the pride one might feel at having a loved one accomplish something special, this being independent of one's own accomplishments.  Going through many made-up concretes, and using opportunities from minor circumstances that arose in our day-to-day life  to illustrate the point.

Yesterday, he broke a wooden board with the side of his bare hand, a challenge that every martial artist gets to overcome many times in his career. I was immensely proud of him.  The youngest student in the group, the little tiny five-year-old who had struggled to break the plastic snap-boards in practice, he did the task with focus and efficiency, leaving the audience in awe of his form and skill.  At bed time, we spoke about the experience.  I was so proud of him!  Then I said, "And I got to break the fat board, the kind they have for adults.  He gave me a beaming smile, one full of happiness that, I am sure, mirrored my own.  I was touched.  I said, "Your smile makes me so happy! I shows me how happy you are at something that I did!"  There was a pause.  "Mommy, I want to see your senior yellow belt", he said, still smiling happily. We had not talked about it in a couple of weeks, so not only was he accepting the circumstance, but he chose to bring it up, wanting to see my accomplishment.

Somebody said to me earlier, envy is not innate in children. Probably not, if you define envy to be the desire to destroy the good because it is the good: to want to take away one's value rather than acquire it for oneself.  On the other hand, jealousy is very natural: the wish for another's belongings, success or position in life. Envy is borne of resentment, while jealousy of valuing.

I loved teaching my son about coping with the feelings of jealousy. I think, it is the inability to cope with those feelings that can lead to bitterness, resentment and ultimately envy. Learning to separate another's success from one's own desire for same and being able to set independent goals while being genuinely happy for a friend's achievement is a true virtue, one that enables greatness. I am also proud of him for the ability to process this and come out on top!

Objectivist Roundup

Welcome to the December 1, 2011 edition of objectivist round up. It's Christmas time again! For most of us, it is a time of joy, family and a beautiful tradition. For some a religious holiday, or an opportunity to acquire too many belongings.  For my five year old, it is a time filled with extremely confusing messages coming at him from the general culture. Part of the confusion comes from our family's approach to Santa: though not a real person, he is part of a fairy table that makes Christmas special. Alex becomes confused each year at why his friends don't know the obvious. Each year, he comes up with some new commentary.  "Mommy, daddy, you know, if you had  told me that Santa Clause and Easter Bunny were real, I would still figure it out.  After all, are there any talking rabbits that go around people's houses bringing them eggs?!"

Another gem this year was, "You know, Christmas is just about money," he said with a curled lip, clearly imitating someone he saw lord knows where! "It is?" I countered. "What about family?"  "Oh, that too..." "And the beautiful Christmas tree in our home?" "Right!" "... and celebrating the joy of life with all the Christmas music?" He lit up.  "Mommy, can you play Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer?"

Allrighty then...

Kate Yoak presents Free Market posted at Startup Thermometer, saying, "I was surprised to discover a strong emotional reaction of my own when a contractor felt that the world economy was treating him unfairly.  Here is why I fired him."


David C Lewis, RFA presents 10 Healthy Meals That Probably Won't Break Your Budget | Twin Tier Financial posted at A Revolution In Financial Planning, saying, "10 healthy meals that probably won't break your budget."



Darius Cooper presents von Mises on the Quantity Theory of Money posted at Practice Good Theory, saying, "With M1 booming and the price-level still fairly constrained, I wanted to share von Mises's critique of the Quantity Theory of money."



Joseph Kellard presents Conspiracy Theories and Freedom Don't Mix posted at The American Individualist, saying, "A commentary in the New York Times underscores the corrupt epistemology that permeats Egypt and will thereby undercut any effort at establishing freedom, if one even exists, in that Islamic-dominated nation."



Rachel Miner presents Soaring posted at The Playful Spirit, saying, "A quick post noting my experience of a hot air balloon ride which I had anticipated for about twenty years. (Three pretty pictures are included.)"



Paul Hsieh presents HHS Restrictions on Neurosurgery: Just Don't Call It Rationing posted at We Stand FIRM, saying, "Some of the proposed new restrictions on medical care here in America make Canada look good in comparison."



Jared Rhoads presents Twead #15: Political Philosophy, Clearly posted at The Center for Objective Health Policy, saying, "This week we posted assorted notes from the book "Political Philosophy, Clearly" by Anthony de Jasay (Liberty Fund, 2010; 347 pp). Get a flavor of it here."



Benjamin Skipper presents Reintroduction posted at A Giant Doing, saying, "This is the ex-author of the now defunct blog, Musing Aloud. I've decided chocolate reviewing isn't for me, so I want to go back to regular writing, but in order to shake off some unwanted readers I have started a whole new blog."



Paul Hsieh presents Screening For Terrorists vs. Screening For Cancer posted at We Stand FIRM, saying, "My latest PJMedia OpEd shows the underlying similarity between two seemingly disparate government approaches to screening for two kinds of dangers."



Santiago and Kelly Valenzuela presents Budgets Groan: Immigration Law Continues to Hurt, Not Help posted at Mother of Exiles, saying, "Florida conservatives have a case of NIMBY over a proposed immigration detention center."



Diana Hsieh presents LTE: Campaign Finance Reforms posted at NoodleFood, saying, "My letter to the editor in defense of free speech -- and Scott Gessler's campaign finance reforms -- was published in the Denver Post."



Rational Jenn presents The One About Thanksgiving posted at Rational Jenn, saying, "I wrote this post so that one day I'll remember some of the details of this year's Thanksgiving holiday. It was one of our best yet!"



Edward Cline presents Ambidextrous Statism posted at The Rule of Reason, saying, "There is no fundamental difference between the Far Left and the Far Right. They are both totalitarian in nature. Their median is a mushy socialism posing as “Progressive” welfare statism that leaves no whine or grievance left behind. And in all historical cases, the median has always drifted inexorably in one direction or another."



John Drake presents Review: Your Brain at Work posted at Try Reason!, saying, "A review of the book "Your Brain at Work"."



Jason Stotts presents Stolen Paternity posted at Erosophia, saying, "Can paternity be stolen? It turns out that it can."



Atul Kapur presents “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” in Quotes posted at Wit Lab, saying, "I share my favorite quotes from a book by Richard Feynman. Since he was a physicist, and not a philosopher, I find it remarkable that he held so many unconventional and good ideas."



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