The Self-Made Manifesto

[@cyranodanconia]

One thing that comes to mind at this point is about Persuasion. You said it will be a key section of the book. I’m thinking about “Persuasion versus Manipulation”-but manipulation among the better kind of people and best kinds of relationships. In his youth a boy may have developed habits of manipulation within his family or his circle of friends to get what he wants. Maybe he’s passive aggressive and it works for him. And then he goes out into the world and he confronts people with whom those social habits don’t work. And perhaps that person he confronts is the kind of person you are targeting. But the “friendly manipulator” may also be the kind of person you are targeting because of his psychological intuition. It seems that “getting what I want” may conflict with “the truth”, “the right thing” “the goals of others”. These various things I name or describe, if known at the outset, might better contribute to a win-win outcome.

[@albionicamerican8806]

Many women clearly respect men who dominate them. And is not a function of persuasion, but of other psychological processes, like men's superior physical strength and the willingness to project it as an integral part of their personalities.

[@cyranodanconia]

This is interesting. I had read the fountainhead, started reading her non-fiction. Eventually I found that the art of fiction was being published. I had read Atlas. I know that by the time I read those lines I had read We The Living. I had read Hunchback (maybe). Anyhow, when I read all those descriptions about her own novels, I was surprised I had not guessed it. An important lesson in the art of fiction. Last time I went to South America was 18 or so. I went into the bookstore and found a Spanish copy of We The Living. I rescued it. I even showed John Ridpath. Then I learned she was already widely translated. So that description of hers you quote caught me by surprise.

[@chalysama4446]

I've been struggling with the concept of perfection lately. I can't get past the thought that it implies that there's a ethereal template out there one must adhere to in order to be perfect; Jesus for Christians, for example. So I've been relying more and more on the concept of "ideal", which can be tailored to each individual and still be valid. 2 people can be their ideal self and differ wildly. What are your thoughts on that subject?

[@Mr.Witness]

Have you seen Tara Smith and Binswanger on the topic?

[@smitcj]

Perfection? Perfectly what? The standard of perfection. Is it perfect to obsess over the length of ones shoe laces and that they’re perfectly of equal length.

[@chalysama4446]

@@Mr.Witness yes, indeed, I have. They stress the distinction I make. And they also seem to define perfection as "ideal" in a similar way. I just don't understand why they use the concept when "ideal"seem to be the most proper word to use in that context.

[@Duciorci]

No, Binswanger defines perfection as flawless achievement of a particular standard

[@chalysama4446]

@@Duciorci I never said he didn't. I said in my opinion, the word ideal fits better. Perfect( in common parlance) implies that there a golden standard floating out there that every thing/person must measure up to. 2 same objects cannot be perfect in a different way. 2 men, if they are to be perfect, must be perfect in the same way( which is why people usually say that if everyone were perfect, the world would be boring) . However, the way I see it, ideal carries the meaning better than perfect, e.g. if the goal is to tie your shoelaces, the ideal would be to have them tied, regardless of the symmetry of the loops or the colour of said laces, etc. In conclusion something ideal is the the goal one has in mind when attempting to achieve a given act/value?

[@gustavoescobarsilva9537]

What do you think of Michael Huemer?

[@smitcj]

Go for the trifecta :)

[@topol6]

The cat is on the mat.

[@albionicamerican8806]

Man finds his fulfillment by living as a member of an extended family, tribe and nation, not as the Enlightenment's fantasy of a "self-made" individual. Just look at a gathering of Indian immigrants who are enjoying a wedding in their clan to see how man's nature rally works. And note that these people are often entrepreneurial business owners in the United States, like hotel operators and such. They still find fulfillment in their tribal life and identity.

[@cyranodanconia]

Not enough. It has never been enough. Ample models and more.

[@albionicamerican8806]

@@cyranodanconia I'd also point out that Hispanics in the United States are clearly tribal. They live in a parallel culture with their own Spanish-language TV networks, radio stations, supermarkets (like Food City in Phoenix) and so forth. They aren't interested in reading, either. The New York Times a few years ago published an article about how Mexicans in their home country just don't care for books and the life of the mind; I doubt that changes when they cross the border into the United States. Yet organized Rand cults like the Atlas Society are gambling their futures on trying to HIspanicize Rand's philosophy, when it clearly has failed to thrive in America's Anglo population.

[@gillesandfio8440]

Man finds fulfilment by pursuing and realizing values (such as family, community, nation) that promotes and enhances his own life. That's why there's entrepreneurs. All of it is selfish, and that is very good.