1995
The philosopher Hobbes viewed Humanity as naturally immoral, and incapable of ruling itself through democracy. Ayn Rand addressed this in her novel, Atlas Shrugged, where she displays the issues of mob rule by the ill-informed. Dagney's interactions with Dr. Staddler represent the broader implications of impulsive mob rule, in regards to its slowing down of societal progress and self damnation.
Dr. Staddler, the chief scientist in the government technology department reveals that he must condemn Rearden Metal in order to maintain his funding. Even though the substance is stronger and more efficient, and can solve many of the quality problems the industrial economy is facing, the masses being so un-informed condemn it, causing them to be deprived of an immensely beneficial producing that would remedy many of their woes in that sector of the economy.
The idea of fairness in the market place is what drives them, believing that anyone who gains an advantage is cheating and depriving others of their rights. Balph is a prime example, even though his literary works are awful, he demands that a limit be placed on the number of books that can be produced from a single author, which would garner him a competitive advantage. These ideas contribute further to the mob mentality which drives down society. If the number of books were limited them the masses would become even more ill-informed, only causing them to implode on themselves faster.
Atlas Shrugged, specifically the interactions of Dr. Staddler and Dagney, and the preachings of Balph exemplify the danger of impulsive mob rule. Without a leviathan of change, then this system is doomed to fail.
Excellent intro-thesis. You've pretty much got it down.
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd paragraph feels a little too much like a summary but I feel that if you added why the technology would benefit the economy and how Dr. Staddler's decision goes along with the "blind leading the blind" it could be golden.
The 3rd paragraph feels like the best paragraph to me. It really showcases and supports your intro thesis.
What I would do if I were you to improve your body paragraphs would be to incorporate DIDLS that support the idea of mob mentality in your thesis, it will help get rid of the "summarizing" feel.
One thing I have to say, is that it doesn't feel like you discussed how Staddler became alienated by society, which is a big part of the prompt. Also, who is Balph? It feels kind of like he just got thrown in there.
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