Objectivist Pride

I once made a computer graphic of the shadow of vitruvian man cast over a globe. It was a man with his arms/legs outstretched within a circle...the circle being earth. Always thought that would have made a cool tattoo...until I visited the ISIL website (isil.org) which has a cartoonish version of my graphic. That kind of spoiled it.

Post 21

Monday, March 10, 2003 - 7:21pm

Why can't Atlas with the earth on his shoulders just as easily sympbolize the fact that the world depends on man?

Post 22

Monday, March 10, 2003 - 7:25pm

Suppose it could...but then what would "Atlas Shrugged" mean? "The world depended on man...but man took his ball and went home?"

Post 23

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 4:05am

Actually, I would say that's exactly what it means. The world depends on man yet the world forgot that fact. The world took him for granted and continued to punch him in the gut until man got fed up and shrugged.

Post 24

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 8:21am

Right, so an unshrugged atlas would suggest that man is not yet fed up. Don't know about you but this man sure is...

Post 25

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 10:33am

Well, not necessarily. That was my original point--that you're not making a statement on whether man is fed up. You're making a statement that the world depends on man. I think it's entirely possible to make a statement on one without necessarily making a statement on the other. Of course, if everyone just got a "WWAD" tattoo we could avoid this problem altogether.

Post 26

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 8:25pm

Is anybody else struck by the lack of really cool objectivist logos on this website? I mean, the SOLOHQ idea is great and all but there's nothing here to stealthy "set as wallpaper" on public computers. We need ammo here...

Post 27

Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 7:10am

I'll fire up the GIMP and see if I can't belt something out tonight. 640x480 PNG OK?

Post 28

Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 4:00pm

This probably isn't what you had in mind, Brad, but I like it. Here's an 800x600 JPEG image of a possible wallpaper image uploaded to starbreaker.net. I'd appreciate any comments, and can provide versions at 1600x1200, 1280x1024, and 640x480 if anybody wants a copy in that size.

Post 29

Friday, March 14, 2003 - 11:05am

I thought I replied to this but I guess I didn't follow the post although through the "preview" phase. Anyhow...

The wallpaper is GREAT! In fact, it's my wallpaper now. Just one thing...what does "passion for the height" mean. I have read most of Rand's stuff so if this is something out of one of her books I will be very embarrassed. If not, I can't for the life of me figure it out.

Height as in onward and upward? Passion for achievement...moving up the ladder?

You got me...

Anyway, I think it would be great if you could kick out a few of these wallpapers in your spare time. So when CNN is reporting heavily on the war, let's get out some war-related messages. Same with the economy, healthcare, etc. It's a very easy way for SOLO members to be active without having to do much more than visit a website and right-click an image. Regardless, my lawschool will be plastered with this wallpaper come Monday morning. Thanks!

Post 30

Friday, March 14, 2003 - 11:48am

Matthew -- That looks terrific. I'm going to download it from work.

And thanks for taking time to create it!

Christy

Post 31

Friday, March 14, 2003 - 12:02pm

Thanks, Brad! I'm not a graphic artist/designer by trade or training; my brother was the one with the talent for visual arts so it means a great deal when people praise a graphic of mine.

Regarding the phrase "total passion for the total height", it's something I took from the SOLO credo; I don't think I read it in Rand. I think it encompasses both of the meanings you suggested, but to me it bears another: to find one's limits and shatter them!

I have another little graphic, just the phrase "John Galt was here." against a black field; I'll put it on a page at starbreaker.net along with the SOLO Promo wallpaper. Anybody who uses the GIMP will be able to download the original XCF file (open source art) if they want to improve on my work, and I'll make JPEGS available in 1024x768 and 640x480 resolution.

Oh, and how about a black wallpaper that says, in white, "This terminal reserved for John Galt"? >^..^<

Post 32

Friday, March 14, 2003 - 12:03pm

Christy, I'm glad you liked it.

Post 33

Friday, March 14, 2003 - 4:14pm

I think those John Galt wallpapers sound great. Another one you might want to consider is a black background with the following letters in white: WWJGD with "what would john galt do" in smaller letters below it. Sort of a play on the christian WWJD...

Thanks again for the graphic!

Post 34

Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 6:21am