Past list view

Nathaniel Branden's Conceptualization of Self-Esteem:
Why It Is Important -- and Two Simple Questions the Asking of Which Have Direct & Immediate Self-Esteem Boosting Effects

Mark Shar, a BON founding member and long-time BON participant and fan of Ayn Rand's works, will present his thoughts & ideas about Nathaniel Branden's conceptualization of self-esteem and why it is important.

Questions that will be addressed include:
- What is self-esteem?
- How does Rand's definition differ from Branden's?
- Are there things/people external to self that can increase or decrease one's self-esteem?
- Why understanding this concept -- and especially Branden's conceptualization of it -- is vital to your psychological health and, in particular, your happiness & success, your felt enjoyment and level of satisfaction in life.
- What are the actions or practices that enhance self-esteem?
- What are two simple questions you can ask yourself, day in and day out, about anything and everything in your life that will, in the asking have a direct and immediate positive impact on your self-esteem, your happiness and your level of satisfaction in life?

How the Common Law courts, which grew out of English and Scottish anarchy, embodied Rand's
ideal state. Galt's Gulch needed no constitution -- all it needed was Judge Narragansett, but neither Rand
nor Judge Narragansett realized it when at the end of Atlas Shrugged he set out to write a new constitution
for the Gulch. The Founding Fathers' vision of a constitutional republic, although vastly different in
practice from its current embodiment, directly led to the current statist quagmire. Because the Founding
Fathers' vision is more appealing than the current modern state, Rand and libertarians tend to uphold
the Founding Fathers' vision with an uncritical eye -- it is, in theory, better than the modern state,
and so has achieved a sometimes undeserved place of reverence. But Rand and libertarians overlook a much
better, third alternative: the Common Law courts in an otherwise anarchic state. Early English Common Law
courts did exactly what Rand required: created a rational government limited to defending life, liberty, and property,
without venturing into paternalist policymaking.

If you write a book, is it your property in perpetuity? Can you control how and when it is distributed? What about a software program? Rand said that without property rights, no other rights are possible. Let's reexamine that assertion. Is copyright really a property right or just a means of suppressing the free speech rights of others? Our presenter, Gavin, will represent his understanding of the Free Software Foundation's viewpoint on this topic.

When: Sunday, April 19th, 11am
Where: White Horse Tavern, 116 Brighton Ave. Allston, MA
Why: Because bacon makes everything better
What: RSVP so we may reserve a spot for you

The food costs money, but the conversation is free.

Murder, mystery, a twist ending decided by audience members -- Ayn Rand's successful play, Night of January the 16th, contained much to captivate. What better way to break up the long, cold winter ahead than to join us in a reading of this controversial play? Take part and read the play, or sit on the jury and decide our hero's fate. After all, what's more fun than watching a ground-breaking murder mystery play? When you get to decide the verdict and the ending.

Where: Woburn, MA (will e-mail exact location to those who RSVP)
When: January the 16th at 8pm
What: A group of objectivists and Ayn Rand fans getting together to hold a reading of Ayn Rand's controversial and ground-breaking stageplay

If you haven't read the play yet, don't worry; we need a few folks to sit on the "jury" and decide the ending. Everyone else, dust off your copy and your Swedish accent and come
join us to take a part.

Snacks to share are welcome.

We'll have a few extra copies of the play on hand if you need one.

Email me to be added to the guest list and to get the address and directions!

After your Thanksgiving on Thursday, come join us for Thankskeeping on Sunday. Brunch, that is. Do you know what's good after having your fill of turkey and stuffing? Pancakes. You know what's also good? After hearing about how Mother Earth provided your repast, or a Burning Bush was responsible for the bounty, celebrating the real producers: you.

Come pour some syrup on that.

When: Sunday, November 30, 11am
Where: White Horse Tavern, 116 Brighton Ave. Allston, MA
Why: Because bacon makes everything better
What: (to do) RSVP so that I may reserve a spot for you (but come anyway, even if you haven't RSVPed!)

The food is $10.45/person, but the conversation is free.

Look for the $ sign bling!