Why is Ayn Rand hated so much ?!
I always wondered why Ayn Rand is so widely hated — unusual for a writer and philosopher. The almost visceral hatred for a woman who died 4 decades ago is matched perhaps only by the sheer volume of her books that continue to sell in record numbers . What is it that makes Ayn Rand and her masterpiece — Atlas Shrugged — arouse such intense hatred in one camp and an even more intense admiration in the other ?! There probably hasn’t been a more polarizing author or work of fiction in the entire history of humanity ! Interestingly, the entire literary community barring few, the whole of the educational system across the world and most of our economists and philosophers barely acknowledge the existence of either Ayn Rand or any of her works — a bit strange since her works continue to find huge traction. It is almost a studious and deliberate ignorance — as if the mere fact of acknowledging her existence or any of her writings — might bring the fictitious Atlantis to reality ! Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged can be found selling like hotcakes in bookshops across most countries almost 8 decades after they were written !
I have my own thoughts about why it is so but soon as I was about to pen them down, I came across this Quora thread that says it all. Everything I wanted to say or needed to hear from either camp is already spoken here eloquently — much better than it will ever be expressed anywhere. The best of lovers and the worst of haters are all here. This thread is close to becoming a masterpiece - as much as a book by Ayn Rand herself !
The third post by Andrew T. Post sums it up most accurately and handsomely !
