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Realtors Shrugged?

"Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values."
Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, Part 3, Chapter 7, This is John Galt Speaking

"Government "help" to business is just as disastrous as government persecution... the only way a government can be of service to national prosperity is by keeping its hands off." Ayn Rand

Every entrepreneur, and therefore every Realtor, should read Atlas Shrugged. This lengthy tome by the influential but always controversial Ayn Rand celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. If you haven't read it, I highly suggest picking up a copy and getting started -- but give yourself plenty of time -- the book is over 1000 pages.

Numerous surveys claim that Atlas Shrugged ranks second only to the Bible as the most influential book of all time. Within its pages, Rand champions the rugged individualistic successful businessmen and women of the world contrasting them with the looters who relied on government to extort wealth from others and were ashamed of prosperity.

While it is a novel with an exciting and winding storyline, Rand's masterpiece presents a remarkable treatise on her philosophy of capitalism. Her heroes are powerful businessmen and women who love their work, are honest and full of integrity. However, they are restricted by the society in which they live and the burdensome government regulators who seek to destroy competition.

A mysterious character leads a strike of the most competent and productive individuals just as society seems on the brink of failure and these strong business leaders are the only ones who may be able to save it.

Realtors and the real estate industry today are attacked from all sides -- the media, the government, homeowners who think they don't need us and other critics within and without the industry.

"They" claim Realtors are not in a competitive industry. "They" say Realtors are paid too much. "They" tell consumers that they don't need Realtors. "They" decry the state of the housing market but downplay the role of the Realtor.

What would happen if Realtors Shrugged?

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Posted by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate on 10/11/2007 08:56 PM

Comments (43)

ayn rand, atlas shrugged, realtors

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43 Comments on Realtors Shrugged?

OCT

2007

I do love that book, but I am not drawing the same connection with the characters to Realtors that you are.

Interesting perspective.

What do "They" know? Thanks for making us think about this one, will definitely read the book.

You know what? I just might read that book. My dad (83 this month) is a prolific reader and I once asked him what his favorite book was and he answered : "Atlas Shrugged".

Lazarus

Brian, I agree. I would say that Atlas Shrugged, read by me at the age of probably about 18, was probably the most influential book I ever read. (You do have to skim through some of the philosophical digressions...)

I read it a few years ago, but I apparently didn't retain much of it, though I remember it being good. Maybe it's time for a reread. Sometimes I read books so quickly that they don't digest into my long term memory for immediate recall.

JAYNE: Thanks for your comments. Atlas Shrugged is definitely on my all-time favorites list. I first read it 12 years ago, and have started re-reading it out loud this year together with my wife, so that she can experience this great novel as well. I think that there definitely is a parallel between Realtors, the Code of Ethics, our entrepreneurial spirit and the strong characters of Rand's book. And even more of a parallel between what is happening these days in the news and with the DOJ suit against NAR and the events of the book.

CRIS: Exactly! What do "they" know? Unfortunately, "they" have such an influence upon the beliefs and actions of the masses. Thanks for your comments and definitely read Atlas Shrugged.

LAZARUS: Thanks for your comments. Your Dad sounds like a very smart man! That's my answer as well.

BRIAN: I was 22 when I first read Atlas Shrugged and like many I felt that Rand solidified in her writing much of my thoughts about the way the world works. Definitely a big influence upon my life, my business, my values, etc. I find myself thinking about the book often, and with its fiftieth anniversary this year, there is a lot of publicity surrounding it. I've heard Angelina Jolie has signed to play Dagny in a long-awaited movie.

DONNA: Thanks for your comments. Definitely worth a re-read.

I am sad to say I don't recall much of that book from so far back. I think I read it much earlier than many of you. Sounds like it has some great lessons we can learn from again. You keep adding to my library list Brian!

Hey Brian - It is so weird that you mentioned this book. I have had a copy on the shelf for ages, but I have never read it. I even saw an updated copy in the bookstore this evening and flipped through it. You have inspired me to read this book. Thanks!

OCT

2007

Ayn was a hero to me and my peers in high school during our libertarian phase. I'm not there anymore...I guess I started deconstructing the myth of the self-made man.

Great post, Brian. I'm going to have to read Ayn's book again.

I'll be honest - there is very little chance that I'll read 1000 pages ... but I can definitely set aside a couple of hours for Angelina Jolie!

GINGER: I'm happy to be your personal librarian -- I may just mail you some of the books since my shelves are overflowing! And you'd get the added benefit of seeing my highlights and dog-eared pages. Thanks for your comment.

JASON: It is a great read. To be honest, it takes a while, maybe even 200-300 pages to really get into the meat of the story, so many people give up around page 52 or so. If you can stick around, the payoff is worth it and you'll definitely understand what all the fuss is about. Her other major work "The Fountainhead" is excellent too! Thanks for your comment.

JOEY: Ayn has been a longtime hero to me. She certainly has her critics and her personal life was not exactly exemplary, but her philosophies are first-rate and even if you don't subscribe 100%, they certainly make you think and change your outlook. Let me know what you think after a second read.

JOHN: What guy wouldn't have the time for a few hours of Angelina? The movie which is not in production yet has been a long time coming. There has been much fear about being faithful to the book and how to fit it all into a 2 hour movie since the book has pages upon pages of monologue -- especially the climactic scene of the book with a 70+ page monologue radio address forming the crux of Rand's philosophies. Thanks for your comments.

I read the book when I was about 22 , a long time ago, and look forward to seeing the movie. I loved the book.

GITA: Thanks for your comment. It may be some time before the movie is actually produced and finished -- it's been a long road so far, from what I've read. But I heard that they have a script and have definitely signed Angelina!

BRIAN: It looks like a fascinating read, but 1000 pages, that's a lot of time spent out of the rain! I'm not sure if I'm ready to tackle that yet. Any suggestions for something a little lighter?

I guess i need to go get that book and read it.

Brian- Great book. Timeless. I am an entrepreneur, always have been. I tried a job at age of 16, lasted 2 weeks, never worked as an employee ever again! I love Capitalism. It is the best model to support the small business.

I just saw this quote in an email I just received:

The cycle by which Civilizations and Individuals rise and fall:

From bondage comes spiritual faith

From Spiritual faith comes courage

From courage comes liberty

From liberty comes Abundance

From Abundance comes complacency

From complacency comes apathy

From apathy comes dependency

From dependency comes bondage.

Where as a Nation are we?

It makes you think! Realtors must behave and act as entrepreneurs and reclaim their independence. You must behave and act as though you are worth what your fee is, create a business plan, and act like a business owner! Katerina

Who is John Gault??

I don't think I ever finished reading that book - I need to dust it off and get back into it.

A Realtor strike? Intriguing!

ADAM: Thanks for your comments. It certainly is a long book, but worth it! Next time you have a long plane flight, take it with you. I'm full of book suggestions -- I think I've become the personal librarian for Ginger... Have you bought The Dangerous Book for Boys? I think it is one that you and your son would enjoy (maybe when he is another year or two older).

VICKI: Thanks for stopping by and yes, I'd highly suggest reading Atlas Shrugged and Rand's other books including The Fountainhead and We The Living.

KATERINA: Thanks for your comments and the intriguing quote. I think currently we are somewhere between abundance and complacency. What's interesting is that I can think of other nations and societies and place them at different steps along this path. Atlas Shrugged, the timeless classic is definitely a favorite of mine. Realtors certainly have to behave and act as entrepreneurs in order to survive and thrive.

JAMES: I know who John Galt is... but do you? There are too many people who never reached the end of the book -- it definitely is a long-term commitment type of reading. Thanks for your comment.

Brian, I hadn't heard it was going to be made into a movie. It would be quite educational for many people to see it, if they don't mess up the real message...

OCT

2007

Every time I walk out of an MRIS SAC meeting (Subscriber Advisory Council), I am in awe of what goes on behind the scenes of the mls. I wonder what all those real estate dot coms would do, if suddenly all multiple list services (created and paid for by its members) just shut down. Our professon would survive, maybe even thrve, just as we did for decades before the Internet, but who would all the news sesrvces, dot coms, and governments get ther real estate informaton from?

Margaret- What an insightful comment you just made. Yep, we work hard to create an MLS and everyone else thinks they should benefit from our hard work, I don't think so! Katerina

My principal thought I was reading subversive stuff that was twisting my mind when I read this book and then skipped school one day to go pick up a box of debate evidence cards I had left in another town over the weekend. I loved the book then, but haven't revisited it. I remember it as a great plot as well as some great quotes, but probably a bit extreme for a life-philosophy.

But the no open houses idea is good. Just say no!

I recently read that Atlas Shrugged was the book most read by CEO's of major companies. In the same article it said that they tended to hide the book because the characters are so self-absorbed, so it is a bit embarrassing to have such an "out for oneself" philosophy on display. I haven't read the book, although I have tried several times. I will make another attempt. It would be embarassing to say I've never read the book, when the movie comes out. The movie will probably prompt a number of people to read this book and The Fountainhead.

OCT

2007

BRIAN: I think that the movie is quite a way off. From what I've heard, they have a script and have signed Angelina Jolie. Find out more here. Since it has been 50 years since the book, and there have supposedly been battles over producing this film and many passionate Ayn Rand followers, I doubt that they'll mess up the message.

MARGARET: Your comment is very interesting and thought-provoking. Real estate would certainly continue to survive. As subscribers and owners of the MLSes, we are the producers and these others you mentioned would be the "looters" as detailed in Rand's book. Thanks for your comments.

KATERINA: Thanks for coming back to this post. Margaret's comment is indeed very insightful. The MLS is a product and a tool that we created and others are definitely benefiting from our work and money.

ANN: Thanks for your comments. You certainly were subversive! Atlas Shrugged might be worth a revisit. I thought and still think of it as one of the greatest books and a big influence on my thinking. Adopting it 100% as a life-philosophy is just not practical, but the general ideas of this book are timeless.

GAIL: I have heard this too. I bet that this time you'll succeed in reading the book. It is not an easy read, that is for certain. I'm sure the movie will spark a renewed and increased interest in the books. The "out for oneself" philosophy is not much different in my opinion than Adam Smith's idea of the "invisible hand" -- just expressed from a different perspective.

DEC

2007

Brian - My interest is more than peeked, I am going to pick up that book over the Holiday.

JASON: No doubt, you'll enjoy Ayn Rand. If you like Atlas Shrugged, you'll also like The Fountainhead which she wrote first.

DEC

2007

Brian,

I have been thinking about this since you posted the blog. I think I am starting to agree with your perspective after all..

But who would represent John????? Certainly not Gaylord!

DEC

2007

Great article and Ayn Rand's classics are all good; Fountain Head and Anthem are both must reads as well. I belong to the Ayn Rand Institute in Orange County, look them up online, it is a great group that is fighting for free-enterprise and free markets with less government intervention and over regulation.

JAYNE: Thanks for your comment. I'm flattered that you've been thinking about this for 2 months! And I'm happy that you see my perspective.

LANCE: Thanks for your comments and compliments. I've read all of Rand's books and enjoyed them all. I'll take a look at the Ayn Rand Institute.

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