Greetings.
In order to see the New Renaissance Hat, please go to http://www.geocities.com/rational_argumentator/newrenaissancehat.html.
I shall try to render it available for viewing on SOLO shortly.
Symbols are concise representations of the principles one advocates; to proliferate effectively, their message needs to be explicit, and they need to be open to replication by men with less than the best artistic abilities. Thus far in its existence, the Objectivist movement has had a dearth of symbols to represent its principles. Only two exist: the Atlas and the Dollar Sign. Both are excellent in the message they promote; one emfasizes the colossal importance of productivity in human relations, the other is a representation of the capitalist ideal. Yet both have their shortcomings as well; Atlas is a bit too complicated to draw for one not well versed in art or the human form. The Dollar Sign is employed by other agencies, most notably the U.S. Government, and is often used by non-Objectivists as a utilitarian symbol devoid of the ideological significance Objectivists attach to it. While keeping the above two symbols, a new one is needed that will explicitly denote the principles of objectivity, reason, egoism, and capitalism, as well as the impact that those principles would have if infused into the general culture. It also needs to be easily drawn by the layman but at the same time not replicate stereotypical symbols of our age (i.e. animals, stars, colored stripes, torches, harps, wings, light bulbs, etc.).
I have invented a symbol that would fulfill all the above criteria. It is dubbed the “New Renaissance Hat,” a top hat with a shield of half-gold, half-white in the foreground. The top hat is representative of rationality, civilization, culture, prosperity, sofistication, and esthetic taste—ideals that Objectivists and their allies hold in their aspirations. What is needed to protect these ideals? The shield answers this question. The bottom half of the shield is white, the color of purity, innocence, and consistency, symbolizing a commitment to principles and an unquestionable honesty and integrity in their pursuit. The top half is gold, the color of… gold! Gold is the legitimate form of money, a representation of one of the highest values held by a rational man and his commitment to the production of values. Gold is also the color of capitalism, the free economic system necessary to bring monetary prosperity about. In addition, it is the color of light, and its symbolic corollaries, enlightenment, insight, intellectual lucidity, and brilliance. The shield represents all of the values and methods that, when exercised, preserve the culture and civilization of Reason that Objectivists desire.
The “New Renaissance Hat” is intended to capture in its composition a coming cultural revival and may thus be adopted by all those who share a commitment to the principles for which it stands. It shall become the new logo of The Rational Argumentator, but its proliferation into further realms can be foreseen. Products can be marketed commercially with the New Renaissance Hat on them; pins, badges, book covers, artworks, clothing, and, yes, even hats, can in some manner incorporate this new symbol.
I am
G. Stolyarov II
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