Re:
The 25 Most Inappropriate Things An Objectivism Can Say During Sex
Aaron Davies [currently the president of the Columbia University Objectivist Club] wrote:
"OK, now that was just entirely uncalled for. Two quotes from the Lexicon: "Humor is the denial of metaphysical importance to the which you laugh at." "To laugh at the good is a hideous vice." At what is the humor on this page directed, and why? As far as I can see, it is directed at Objectivism in general, and the idea of an Objectivist's being in a sexual relationship in particular. I fail to see why either of these are acceptable targets for humor."
Ok, now I'd like to respond to the above.
Two quotes from the Lexicon:
"Rationalization is a process not of perceiving reality, but of attempting to make reality fit one's emotions."
"Philosophical catch phrases are handy means of rationalization. They are quoted, repeated and perpetuated in order to justify feelings which men are unwilling to admit."
The fact is, it's much easier to apply a philosophy, even one as great - and true - as Objectivism - when one spouts off quotes, rather than looking at facts.
Aaron Davies wrote:
"As far as I can see, it is directed at Objectivism in general, and the idea of an Objectivist's being in a sexual relationship in particular."
Mr. Davies: Perhaps if you had a decent "sexual relationship in particular", you wouldn't be so effing uptight.
The fact is, neither sex nor Objectivism are the targets of the humor in that "top 25" list. The humor derives from the context in which the comments are placed.
You want a quote? Sorry, I'll have to paraphrase. (And explain - not just repeat.)
I think Roger Ebert calls it "Ebert's Law of Movies". To paraphrase: "A movie is not about *what* it's about, it's about *how* it's about it."
I agree with what he's getting at. What he means is: there are no "taboo" movies. All that matters is the way in which you deal with a subject. It wouldn't be correct to say, for example, that one can't make a good movie about child molestation, or cannibalism, etc. Of course, one can imagine many movies about those subjects that *would* be revolting, but it all depends on how they're treated.
And George Carlin was right when he said that there are no "offensive" subjects in comedy. What makes a joke offensive or not depends upon how you construct the joke.
So let me agree with Mr. Davies. Objectivism is *not* an acceptable target of humor. But by that I mean: Objectivism is not something to be disparaged. The list Mr. Davies refers to does not disparage Objectivism. What the list *does* do is to put certain Objectivist ideas in an *absurd context*. Let me say that again: AN ABSURD CONTEXT.
The humor is in the ridiculousness of the ideas' application, *NOT* the ideas themselves. If you could prove to me that I was disparaging the ideas, I would remove the list in an instant. But you couldn't prove it.
People who rationalize, moralize, and psychologize - and, oh yeah, have no ****ing sense of humor - give Objectivism a bad name. Objectivists should be thankful that savethehumans.com exists. Thanks to us, people who might actually become Objectivists can realize that true Objectivists don't walk around with a giant stick up their asses. Or in some people's case, a copy of the Ayn Rand Lexicon.
Stop quoting. Start thinking.
Jason Roth
jason@savethehumans.com
http://savethehumans.com
