Is Atlas Shrugging

Is Atlas finally shrugging? After our emergency alert from the president yesterday I am beginning to wonder.

“Atlas Shrugged” is a novel written by Ayn Rand and published in 1957. It is a prophetic novel about what would happen in the future (Rand never puts a time to it) when we reach a point where the majority of people in the world depend on the government for everything. Throughout the book, there are references to several prominent people, scientists, engineers, artists, musicians, etc. who have disappeared over the years. There are several business leaders, a steel magnate, a railroad executive, and a mining mogul, who are trying to keep their companies going despite the interference of the government and others. That’s the best synopsis you are going to get, you can buy the book here if you would like.

There is a scene where John Galt, who I guess you can call the leader of the group trying to take back the world economy from the “takers”, takes over all the communications throughout the world. Of course, in 1957 there were no internet or cell phones, but he took over the radio waves and television broadcasts. His purpose was to broadcast his message of how he and his people were going to let the economy collapse because of the government control. When I read this book 12 or 13 years ago, I thought this might be a little far-fetched, but after yesterday’s test message I am beginning to rethink this.

At the push of a button from who knows where we lost control of our cell phones. The government had control of them. Now I am not one who is into conspiracy theories, but think about what this could mean? Yesterday’s test was presented as a good thing, it would help us in case of an emergency, and I suppose that is true. But as the old saying goes, “Beware of those who call evil good and good evil.” If the government can take over communications for good what is to stop them from using it for other things? Or who is to say someone else couldn’t take it over, someone who we trust less than the government? Wait, you trust the government? Well, good luck with that.

I’m not going to list all the ways a system like this could be used or misused, I’ll leave that for others, but most of those I have come up with are not good. You may not agree with the philosophy of Ayn Rand, there is plenty I don’t agree with, mostly spiritually, but if you take the time (okay a lot of time) to read this book, more and more of the predictions she made are coming true.

Atlas may have not shrugged, but his shoulders are definitely moving.