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Ayn Rand

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Philosopher

The Resume

    (February 2, 1905-March 6, 1982)
    Wrote 'Atlas Shrugged,' 'The Virtue of Selfishness and Capitalism' 'Anthem,' 'We The Living' and 'Fountainhead'
    Honored on a United States commemorative 33¢ stamp
    Extra in 'King of Kings' (1927)

Why she might be annoying:

    Her philosophy espouses 'the virtue of selfishness' and flies in the face of altruism and kindness.
    She was excruciatingly self-righteous and 'in-your-face' in promoting and defending her beliefs.
    She was an atheist.
    Her philosophy espoused the value of personal joy and happiness, yet she was often bitter and unpleasant about the opposition she faced in her lifetime.
    She claimed to love her husband and dedicated her novels to him.
    But she had a lengthy affair with Nathaniel Branden, her favored disciple (25 years her junior), and told her husband she was doing it.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Her philosophy exalts the supremacy of the individual over the state, liberty over slavery, happiness over misery, intellectual inquiry over superstition.
    According to a 1991 poll (pre-Internet and e-mail) conducted by the Library of Congress and The Book-of-the-Month Club, 'Atlas Shrugged' has influenced the lives of more Americans than any other book, except The Holy Bible.
    Her philosophical and political ideals are now influencing American public policy (Alan Greenspan was an early disciple).
    Her work has inspired a lot of Internet and dot-com entrepreneurs.
    'The Fountainhead' was made into a movie starring Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal, which featured a scandalous rape scene (scandalous for its day, at any rate).
    Helen Mirren won an Emmy for her portrayal of Rand in the Showtime movie, 'The Passion of Ayn Rand,' which included some awesome boffing scenes with Eric Stoltz (playing Nathaniel Branden).
    Documentary on her life, 'Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life,' was nominated for an Oscar.
    The Libertarian party is based on her philosophy.
    Although she probably wasn't, she is rumored to have been a bi-sexual.

Credit: Frank Johnson


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 34 Votes: 79.41% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 40 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 173 Votes: 54.34% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 22 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 50 Votes: 52.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 22 Votes: 59.09% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 31 Votes: 83.87% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 59 Votes: 54.24% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 79 Votes: 51.90% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 48 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 70 Votes: 78.57% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 586 Votes: 79.01% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 86 Votes: 63.95% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 97 Votes: 67.01% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 109 Votes: 73.39% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 132 Votes: 69.70% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 170 Votes: 67.06% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 323 Votes: 61.92% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 480 Votes: 61.25% Annoying
    In 2003, Out of 1102 Votes: 49.82% Annoying
    In 2002, Out of 3366 Votes: 66.93% Annoying
    In 2001, Out of 3623 Votes: 65.83% Annoying