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Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 11:24pmSanction this postReply
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(A little Reader's Digest joke there for you old-timers.)

So we have this new guy at work named Joe Rowlands. He and I went out to lunch today, and I asked him what he used to do for fun before he joined the company. (There's little time for fun now, of course; we're a startup.)

"Philosophy," he says.

"Oh, really." I replied. "Like what?"

"Objectivism." It's a mark of the assumed respect we have for each other here in Silicon Valley that he didn't immediately launch into an explanation.

Somewhat startled, I asked, "Oh, so you're a Randian?" That's usually a quick way to figure out what kind of Objectivist you're dealing with.

"Uh, yeah." The cautious answer, not the snappy one; a good sign. He was probably relieved that I didn't say "Randroid."

Anyway, I let him off the hook. I've been more-or-less Objectivist since 1982. I was pretty active for a while. I ran The John Galt Line TBBS, a bulletin-board system, for about seven years in four cities. I read "Atlas Shrugged" most recently about six months ago, and just bought _Journals of Ayn Rand_ over the weekend.

But on the other hand, I was pretty fed up with the antics of the Ayn Rand Institute, and I've always been an independent-minded fellow, so I eventually took to calling myself a small-o objectivist and ducking the occasional efforts to get me take sides.

And I've spent the last 20 years working on my own understanding of Rand's fundamental ideas and conclusions. To me, they don't seem to form an entirely self-consistent set. I've reached the preliminary conclusion that Ayn Rand was a human being. I hope that isn't too controversial a claim... I have the same problem myself.

Joe told me about this place, so I figured I'd take a look, and I'm generally impressed. You've got a lot of interesting people creating a lot of original content. I look forward to reading through it and offering my own comments as time allows. Remember, we're at a startup...

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Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:19amSanction this postReply
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Hi Peter.  Welcome to Solo.  It's great that you and Joe met and I am sure that you will find much success in your new business venture. The Objectivist world is rather small and I think think it is wonderful that your paths have crossed.  I'm sure you and Joe are becoming fast friends.  I wish you well.  Now go make some money.  Both of you.

kat


Post 2

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 2:54pmSanction this postReply
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Peter Glaskowsky wrote: "I've been more-or-less Objectivist since 1982. I was pretty active for a while. I ran The John Galt Line TBBS, a bulletin-board system, for about seven years in four cities."
I remember that!  Welcome to SOLO.

It's a finite universe, isn't it?


Post 3

Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 9:36pmSanction this postReply
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Wow, someone remembers the Line after all this time. Heck, I still carry around one of my business-card ads so _I_ don't forget.

I was talking with Joe about rescuing some of my old message boards from the 5.25" backup floppies so he could archive them here... but it would be a whole lot of work, and it isn't as if I have a whole lot of time. I think I mentioned that problem already. :-)

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Post 4

Monday, August 22, 2005 - 3:27pmSanction this postReply
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Hi Peter, welcome to SOLO. Glad you could drop by. Hopefully you'll find some time to participate.



Post 5

Monday, August 22, 2005 - 3:31pmSanction this postReply
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Always good to see a new face, I'd want to know about you but the first rule of project mayhem is you do not ask questions. ;)

---Landon


Post 6

Monday, August 22, 2005 - 5:16pmSanction this postReply
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Peter,
 Do you or Joe ever go to the monthly meetings of the Silicon Valley Objectivsts? A friend I met through The Atlasphere got me to start going about a year ago and I've enjoyed it more and more each month (although I missed the last two meetings because I was out of town). The SVO meetings usually have about 15-20 people at each meeting. Check it out some time if you haven't already.


Post 7

Monday, August 22, 2005 - 5:59pmSanction this postReply
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I remember "The John Galt Line." I think when I tapped into it it was running outta Florida. Always wondered what happened to it. I have been doing this Internet and direct dialup BB stuff since 1987 or 88 when my friend Petr Beckmann started "Fort Freedom." I took down and sent stuff at 300 baud then jumped to 1200 using an external modem on my Kaypro 4. That was my first computer system, about $2500 - $3000 including a printer that did a little better than 100-110 words/min. I still have the whole works including all the original manuals and software. I passed on the Kaypro 10 with its 10 something hard drive.

--Brant


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