Gone Galt
A couple weeks ago, there were some news stories about people considering going Galt, ala Atlas Shrugged. In case you haven't read the book by Ayn Rand, here's a brief summary. There's a variety of captains of industry, and people seek out to destroy their ability to compete by requiring them to share with other businesses that aren't as competitive. A group of people decide to discontinue contributing to a society that requires too much sacrifice and gives too little in return. John Galt was the first person to walk out.
That was a terrible summary. Go read the book yourself.
Now, reading this article made me realize that a lot of people who were considering going Galt, at least those referenced in the article, weren't really following the philosophy. They were considering just diminishing their work output in response to what they consider are policies punishing the rich. Now what's important is that their is a difference between the "movers" of the world and the rich. There are rich that are movers and rich that are not. There are people who are not wealthy who are movers. Now I can understand why some wealthy people are upset, but guess what, some wealthy people went out and did some incredibly stupid things, and well, everyone's going to pay for it...everyone from the working poor to the rich. Don't think you're being singled out in this time of economic crisis. Everybody has a duty to help repair this economy. Nothing's going to get better if we continue on this trip of entitlement and disregard for other people.
But I realized, that I have actually gone Galt. I made a rational decision to put off pursuing a career in academia because society does not value my contributions (in either terms of salary or general respect) enough for me to make the sacrifices necessary for me to continue in my field. So instead of being a scientist, I'm raising my daughter, running my own business, enjoying my life and being the happiest I've been in a really long time.
That was a terrible summary. Go read the book yourself.
Now, reading this article made me realize that a lot of people who were considering going Galt, at least those referenced in the article, weren't really following the philosophy. They were considering just diminishing their work output in response to what they consider are policies punishing the rich. Now what's important is that their is a difference between the "movers" of the world and the rich. There are rich that are movers and rich that are not. There are people who are not wealthy who are movers. Now I can understand why some wealthy people are upset, but guess what, some wealthy people went out and did some incredibly stupid things, and well, everyone's going to pay for it...everyone from the working poor to the rich. Don't think you're being singled out in this time of economic crisis. Everybody has a duty to help repair this economy. Nothing's going to get better if we continue on this trip of entitlement and disregard for other people.
But I realized, that I have actually gone Galt. I made a rational decision to put off pursuing a career in academia because society does not value my contributions (in either terms of salary or general respect) enough for me to make the sacrifices necessary for me to continue in my field. So instead of being a scientist, I'm raising my daughter, running my own business, enjoying my life and being the happiest I've been in a really long time.