I’ve been going to OCON for about the last 40 years (before it was even called OCON). I’ve enjoyed catching up with friends each year, and I would miss them if I didn’t go to OCON. At this year’s conference, there’s going to be a tribute to Leonard Peikoff, and I would enjoy being part of that. So, I had reluctantly planned to go to OCON in Austin (I’ve never been to Austin).
However, my registration for OCON was canceled by ARI, so I will miss seeing you there. I plan to be at TOS-Con in Boston from July 21 through July 24, though, and I hope that I will see friends there—and that we can enjoy a great program in person (without masks or restraints).
See you in Newtown-Boston.
Carl, by being removed, you just have to go elsewhere, and sponsor scholars where there is no resistance or envy. Maybe it was an issue of “fit” or style. So what? I think if we study movements in Western history, including those in the Enlightenment, you will find that the existence of schisms, major and minor, is perfectly normal and to be expected. It’s good actually, since no single man or movement can share the mind of another, nor is omniscient or omnipotent, expecting a perfect dissemination of the truth of a true philosophy.
These schisms happened within our enemies’ camps too. Take, for instance, Lenin, who through secretive means, keep his command cadre small, and composed only of loyal adherents, following the goal that the pure are justified in all their actions, ruthlessly suppressed enemies of the revolution, and dissidents, however innovative they were. By contrast, Russian “Englightenment” Freemason Kerensky and brothers, many decent men, never set the goal that they were going to win at all costs to fight for freedom, unlike the Founding fathers who dedicated their lives to the cause, and paid the price. The most important thing learned from past victories for freedom, is to never doubt yourself and your mission, and those of your allies. Doubt leaves to civil wars and default victories of the irrational. Nobody else counts except the goal, and they do not need to join with you directly either. Objectivism expects its adherents to move on, and not cling to movements. If I do not like what you’re doing, I am free to move on too, but would love to be able to help, at least for a while. Maybe ARI will do better without resistance. If they get it wrong, they fail, or worse yet, trust the wrong person, and are out of business. Having severed all business ties has its advantages!
Carl Barney wrote:
“… my registration for OCON was canceled by ARI …”
Did ARI give a reason for cancelling?
Thanks.
Yikes! Did they give you any explanation?
I was a “founding” (1983) member of ARI. “Was” – no longer am a member.
What it has become over the years is sadly disappointing. Hearing Yaron Brook misquote Galt’s speech to the point of denying exactly what Ayn Rand specifically said about existence and identity was a last straw. There are other, much better Objectivist organizations.
And ANYONE challenging Craig Biddle’s philosophic credentials is being irrational, non-objective. He’s demonstrably, validly Objectivist.
Greetings.
Edward Scheiderer wrote:
“Hearing Yaron Brook misquote Galt’s speech …”
I’m not surprised.
Would it be possible to have a link to that misquote?
If you don’t feel comfortable posting it here, my email address is:
[email protected]
Thanks.
So Carl Barney, the most generous donor of all time, to the tune of some $40 million is subsequently banned from their annual convention.
You can’t make this stuff up!
No one has contributed as much as you to the cause of Objectivism in terms of time, money, and dedication.
You raise the right questions: Where are the new generation of Objectivist scholars? What did these so-called Objectivist leaders do to disseminate Ayn Rand’s philosophy everywhere from the schools and think tanks so that it was translated into the corridors of power?
Their attempts to silence you, to cancel you, betray their intentions to destroy that which is truly valuable for the sake of protecting their egos and self-congratulatory clique.
The lack of value and appreciation for what you have done is staggering. It is the personification of ingratitude and an attack on your fundamental rightness. You were astute to create your blog and have your voice heard. They cannot silence you.
I was given to understand that the ARI board consisted of INTELLECTUALS.
But I am reminded of Albert Einstein’s famous quote:
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.