October 19, 2011
Yesterday, while at Barnes & Noble, I was horrified to see a young girl, maybe sixteen, very pretty, and very intelligent looking, pick up a thick copy of Ayn Rand’s works. I felt that I should warn her of the dangers of reading Ayn Rand at such a tender age. (You know, of course, that it is to the adolescent in each of us that Ayn Rand appeals, no matter how old we may be at the time of reading.) I knew that she should be alerted. It was my duty.
But I feared being accused of untoward behavior and so suppressed my need to save her from the shameful ignominy of a lifetime of conservatism, so I set aside my desire.
Later she and her family, two brothers and a sister, as well as their father sat near me in the coffee area of the store. I thought that as she was now with her father that it might be a better time to approach. I devised a plan: I would write a note to her father explaining the perilous situation into which his lovely daughter was placing herself.
So I composed a note to her Dad:
Dad:
Your daughter is at an impressionable age. She is about to read a book of writings by a powerful, persuasive author with extreme views. The writings will give your beautiful, idealistic daughter ideas that may not be rational, sensible or correct. She does not have the life experience to deal with these radical ideas.
If I cannot persuade you to tear that book from her hands, then, at the very least, insist that she read a counter-balance to Ayn Rand. Suggest that she read a biography of an American Hero, E.V. Debs. There are several, but in particular, for your young daughter, I would recommend “Adversary in the House,” by Irving Stone.
If your daughter reads both books, she will better be able to make up her mind by comparing the life value of pure selfishness as compared to a life filled with compassion for others.
I signed my name and passed him the note.
The incident did not end well. The father read my note, and handed it back to me. He had nothing to say to me. No words were exchanged.
Later, I saw the family pile into a large black BMW 745L.
mek
